I’m a worship nerd-tech-geek. I freely admit that.
I love the intersect of worship and music with all things tech. And it’s only getting better.
I can remember when PowerPoint and a projector were about as high tech as you could get. Now we’ve got presentation software, triple wide screens, and environmental projection. We’ve got computers on the stage, lighting sequences, and worship loops.
Technology has really improved how we worship. And I love it.
As a worship leader, I’m always looking for the next greatest piece of technology that will help take my team to the next level without getting too technical. And I think I’ve came across a new platform that can transform any worship band.
Super Simple and Stellar
There’s this really neat app for worship I recently came across called “Band in Hand.” It’s an iPhone/iPod/iPad app that has tremendous potential, yet is surprisingly simple. It was created and developed by Lee Bridges, a Nashville Producer and Mixer who has worked on the albums of MercyMe, Phil Wickham, Paul Baloche, Tenth Avenue North, Bebo Norman, Third Day, Newsboys, Evan Wickham, and many more.
What Band in Hand does, is gives you a simple mix of up to eight tracks ranging from drums, bass, electric guitar’s one and two, piano, keys, acoustic, and background vocals. It also gives you a separate click track that you can send to your team through a left or right channel and the overall output to the mains.
You have full control over what you want to add to the mix. Maybe you just want to add bass and pads because you’re missing those two parts in your live band. No problem. Just mute everyone else.
Of course, this works for the solo worship leader as well as a full band. Band in Hand can be used as a teaching tool for your team and at rehearsals as well as supplementing your existing band. And it’s super simple.
All you need to do to hook it up is a stereo 8mm cable to quarter inch cable and a direct box. That’s it. No need for an expensive DAW like Abelton Live or Apple’s Mainstage. There’s virtually no real learning curve in setting it up and using. Although playing together with your band will take a bit of work. But you’re up for that right?
Check out the intro video below to get a better feel. I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised. And if you’re looking for an affordable way to add loops to your band, then you should certainly give Band in Hand a shot.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wsXLqLCtWzU]
The best part about Band in Hand is that the app itself is free. Where the cost comes into play is in the purchase of each song. They regularly run around $10 per song, but right now they are only $7. Over the long haul, this could be a great resource that is very affordable.
So make sure you check it out and download the app and play around with the free song. For a more in depth look, watch this video. You’ve really got nothing to lose.
So what do you think? Will you give Band in Hand a shot?
Cole Jennette says
He makes the comment, “The congregation has a hard time entering in when it’s just me.” That’s a CRAZY statement. I LOVE have a solid, full band, but when we start allowing technology to take people’s roles on our teams to this level, we are:
1. Perpetuating that church is a show. Good show = Growing church.
2. Robbing people of places to serve and be discipled.
Is it HARD to worship God without a 5 piece band arrangement……..?
Chris Ruddell says
I think this is a great idea. We have no guitarists in our praise and worship band, and something like this could really add a new dynamic to worship. It wouldn’t be “robbing” anyone of a place to serve, since nobody wants to serve in that role as it is.
Rob Rash says
Yeah, I think he was just having fun Cole. I don’t really think they believe you have to have a full band to have authentic worship. And I also don’t think they’re goal is to replace ‘real’ people who can serve.
It’s really just a simple tool that you can add to your mix to help fill in your sound.
Selena says
all we have is a desktop imac – no ipad or iphone. can i use band in hand on the imac?
Eric Dye says
Looks like it only runs on iOS. :-/