This week I spent time training one of our interns to run sound in the auditorium. We started with the basics, learning how audio works and how signal flows throughout the sound system.
I showed her the mixer, and walked her around backstage so that she could see the location of every part of the audio system. I taught her how to wrap a mic cable, how to mic a drumset, and how to troubleshoot issues during a service.
While teaching her I thought about the importance of continuing education. We can never stop learning, especially in an industry that is always advancing technologically. There is always something new to learn in audio engineering. Summer is also a great time to refresh yourself on the basics of audio and its principles.
There are tons of resources out there to learn from. Here are some that I personally use or have heard good things about:
Magazines
I have been receiving the FOH (Front of House) magazine for over 3 years now, and every issue has great content. They take a look inside the music industry from an engineer’s perspective and always have great interviews with some of the top names in the industry. They showcase a lot of new gear and feature columns on many practical aspects of audio, including house of worship. The trade magazine is also free to anyone who works in the audio industry.
Though not strictly for audio, Church Production Magazine has great articles on technology for the church and it’s use in service production. They have articles on anything from choosing a mic to setting up a speaker system. As a bonus, I’ve also learned a lot about the lighting and video side of production while reading it.
Books and DVDs
This book (The Ultimate Live Sound Operator’s Handbook)has great info for becoming a live sound operator. It goes into tons of detail on live sound production, everything from tweaking EQ to running a smooth sound check. There is also an included DVD with examples straight from the book to help train your ear as well as your brain.
If you’re looking for a DVD that will run you through the basics of setting up a sound system in a short amount of time, this is a great choice (Yamaha Exploring Sound Reinforcement). The video production isn’t the best, but the content is great. Their explanations of different principles and guidelines are clearly demonstrated with real world examples.
They also throw in a bit of humor to keep you engaged. This would be a great DVD to watch with your volunteers. Pause the DVD after each section and answer any questions. By the end of the DVD your volunteers will practically be audio experts.
Online Sites
If you’re like me, then you love it when giant catalogs of audio goodness come in the mail. Sweetwater sends out such a catalog each season of the year, as well as other publications like Sweetnotes, which include audio tips and techniques. But not only do they send out a “sweet” catalog, but they also have tons of resources on their website.
They have an Expert Center with features like buying guides, glossaries, and tech tips. Any time I need to find out about a piece of equipment, I like to go here and see what their experts have to say. They also post interviews with artists and engineers in the industry.
If you need training for yourself or for volunteers then this would be a great solution (Own The Mix). I haven’t used it personally, but have heard great things about it.
They have videos that illustrate every area a church audio engineer would face, and any new videos added will be available with your subscription. If you have a large team of volunteers, they offer group rate licenses at a discount price.
There are lot of good blogs out there that talk about audio, but one of my favorites has to be Church Sound Guy. The blog is run by David McLain and has a huge list of great articles and resources. Some are good basic knowledge, and others dive pretty deep into audio theory and design. He also posts a ton of great resources throughout the week on twitter and you can follow him @churchsoundguy.
What are some of your favorite audio resources?
Josh Wagner says
I love Sweetwater. I’ve only done a little business with them, but their sales people are awesome. I entered a giveaway, and a sales person called me and talked to me for about a half-hour about what kind of gear I needed and wanted and what I might be buying in the future. He then said that he would certainly earn my business. I was impressed enough that I will do business with them as often as I can.
Marcus Williamson says
I am not a sound guy but I respect the peeps who do it. It is a very detailed process and I am reminded of it every time I step in the booth and watch the guys go at it.