05Aug 2014 by Ray No Comments

Sound Reinforcement Basics – Mixers

Music Ministry, Tech
Welcome back to part two in our series on the basics of sound reinforcement.  If you missed part one on setting up your PA, it's worth going back and taking a gander.  I talk about what gear you need and how to set it up for different spaces and situations.  In this post I'm going to talk about what to do with your mixer once you are set up and ready to make some noise. Plugging In Most mixers have predominantly XLR inputs which are grounded.  Some have 1/4" line level inputs and then some have 1/4" TRS inputs which are grounded (two stripes on the plug).  It's very important to have everything coming in to your mixer grounded.  What does that mean?  If you think about it like electrical…
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07Mar 2014 by Ray 2 Comments

Sound Reinforcement Basics – Setting Up PA

Music Ministry, Tech
This is the first in a series of posts about basics in setting up your PA or audio system to give you optimum sound reinforcement for a gig or worship event.  I'm targeting this toward a temporary set up & tear down situation rather than a permanent install, but many of the basics still apply. The first thing to consider is what size venue you need to support and how much amplification you need.  I have setup mobile systems in a lot of different spaces and the venue has a huge impact on how much reinforcement is needed.  For small rooms with just a guitar and some vocals, 1 PA speaker and a mixer may be all that's necessary.  A larger space and a full band might only require vocal…
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24Feb 2014 by Ray No Comments

Blowing It – Guitar Amps & Fuses

Music Ministry, Tech
I learned a few things about guitar amps and fuses this weekend that I wanted to pass along.  I picked up a used Bugera V5 guitar amp not too long ago that's been fantastic for playing in a worship service.  My setup on electric guitar at Holy Trinity is very close to the congregation, so having great tube tone, but at a low stage volume is important.  Before that, I was lugging around my heavy Fender Frontman 212r that I modified into a cabinet and was playing an Epiphone Valve Jr. through the custom speakers I'd installed.  The problem was that while "Junior" was only a 5w tube head, I still ran it through a 2x12 which was more volume than we needed considering that we mic the cabinet and…
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03Dec 2012 by Ray 5 Comments

How Do I Get Rid Of Annoying Buzz?

Music Ministry, Tech
There you are in an intimate prayer service.  The room is full of people in prayer.  You could hear a pin drop except your bass player brings up the volume on his guitar and ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ!!!!! One of the biggest things that can distract from worship is bad sound.  I realize that many churches are financially strapped and already aren't paying musicians, they're underpaying the worship leaders or music directors and now you're telling me they need to also have a sound guy on the payroll?  Yep.  For many of us we don't have the luxury of having a professional audio engineer in-house.  You might be doing all of the set-up, tear down, and mixing yourself! Having good sound can take a worship service to another level, but no one should…
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29Oct 2012 by Ray 5 Comments

Free Open Source Lyric Projection Software – Review

Music Ministry, Tech
           I recently had an opportunity to be a guest worship leader for an XLT (adoration service) at an area church.  It was a situation where there was about a day's notice and there wasn't much time to coordinate music so I needed to take care of planning and making sure that I had lyrics.  I don't myself own MediaShout, ProPresenter or EasyWorship which are the industry standards.  Planning Center has an option for projections too, but it's part of their subscription.  I'm not sure that it's available independently and I've never used it.  I have the most experience with MediaShout, but it's pricey and it takes up a lot of memory on a computer.  You pretty much want a dedicated computer in your AV area…
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21Sep 2012 by Ray 2 Comments

The Lord’s Prayer – New Music

Music Ministry, Original Music
Been awhile since I've posted, but I have a ton to share with you all! First off, I accepted a position as the new worship leader & praise band director at Valley View United Methodist Church in Overland Park, KS. We just launched a new praise & worship service at 10:30a Sunday mornings. Needless to say, I have a ton of experiences, music, and reviews about gear to write. [yendifplayer audio=3] Download Lead Sheet Today, I wanted to share an arrangement of The Lord's Prayer that I came up with earlier this week. We're going to try it out this Sunday. Our pastor asked my thoughts about singing the prayer and sent me a few links of versions that he liked found on YouTube. We both really liked, Matt Maher's,…
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20Jun 2012 by Ray No Comments

Where To Find Praise & Worship Music

Music Ministry, Tech
I'm often asked where to get good praise & worship music to listen to. For me, the best way to learn new music is to listen to it a lot. There's a few main sources I go to for music in this genre. I buy a lot of my favorite songs on iTunes and listen to them on my iPod. I have a praise & worship faves playlist that I like to listen to when I run, clean the house, fold laundry, cook dinner, drive around in the car, etc. I'm listening to music all the time and let it soak in. I listen to K-Love. If you have a K-Love or similar contemporary christian radio station in your city, it's a great place to hear a lot of music…
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03Apr 2012 by Ray No Comments

Reconciliation: Matthew West – Only Grace

Music Ministry, Music Reviews
Happy Holy Week! I was at morning mass today and thought about this song by Matthew West.  There were a couple of interesting things about the readings and sermon that made me think about it.  Let's start with the reading from Isaiah 49:1-6. Hear me, O islands, listen, O distant peoples. The LORD called me from birth, from my mother's womb he gave me my name. He made of me a sharp-edged sword and concealed me in the shadow of his arm. He made me a polished arrow, in his quiver he hid me. You are my servant, he said to me, Israel, through whom I show my glory. Though I thought I had toiled in vain, and for nothing, uselessly, spent my strength, Yet my reward is with the…
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19Mar 2012 by Ray No Comments

Handling Criticism

Music Ministry
When ministering with music it's bound to happen that someone won't like what you're doing.  They don't like your song selections, they don't like your voice, they think your too loud, they don't like the way you dress... There might be guests or church members who don't feel that drums or electric guitar are reverent instruments.  How do you handle criticism or complaints? First of all, there's a time and place for criticism to be offered.  Getting a complaint e-mail is much different than having an irritable person come at you immediately following a church service.  If it's not a good time, it's okay to ask a person to contact you when you have office hours or to excuse yourself because you have somewhere that you need to be.  Be…
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15Mar 2012 by Ray No Comments

Entering Into Ministry

Music Ministry
As we begin our journey into ministry in whatever role or calling that we answer, the bible warns us to get ready to be tested. Sirach Ch. 2 My child, when you come to serve the Lord, prepare yourself for trials. Be sincere of heart and steadfast, and do not be impetuous in time of adversity. Cling to him, do not leave him, that you may prosper in your last days. Accept whatever happens to you; in periods of humiliation be patient. For in fire gold is tested, and the chosen, in the crucible of humiliation. Trust in God, and he will help you; make your ways straight and hope in him. You that fear the Lord, wait for his mercy, do not stray lest you fall. You that fear…
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