Moderator: Curt - this relates to an earlier question. mikrphn7: How do you go about recruiting volunteers, what do you look for in possible members for the team?

Curt: We've already talked a bit about whom to look for, so check the transcript from earlier. A servant's heart is first.

Pat Prendergast: In a church soundcheck, where do you start and why?

Curt: Depends on the instruments at hand. Are you talking about a contemporary worship service with a rhythm section?

Pat Prendergast: Yes.

Curt: I'd start with the drums. I learned early on that if the drums don't work, the mix wouldn’t work. Then I build from there - usually piano, or guitar - whatever the lead rhythmic instrument will be. Then continue to build the rhythm section with electronic keys (the keybed, if you will), percussion, electric guitar, etc. I add backing vocals next, and then the lead vocal.

Curt (continued): Choir comes near the end. Again, the rhythm section is going to drive the sound, so that mix has to work. They also have the strongest need to hear themselves in the monitors clearly, so it's a good time to focus on t heir monitor mixes. Once that base is there, the other elements should fit easily.

Keith: I like your comments. I call the rhythm section “momma”, cause if momma ain't happy, no one is. So, what is your approach to assuring that "momma" is happy with what they’re hearing.

Curt: Lots of monitor mixes, preferably with controls at their sides. Seriously, though, with inexpensive monitor mixing solutions available today, why not give the band a small set of faders they can control? Preferably on headphones or in-ear monitors, and a "more-of-me" headphone box so they have ultimate control over the level of their own instrument.

Curt (continued): They're in a far better position to mix things the way they want. And it's all relative to what they're hearing on stage, which is hard to judge from the house mix position 100ft. away. Having been a player in rock bands for so many years, I think I have a good feel for what they want to hear in their mix. I'm not entirely sure what it is that I do, probably like you, but it seems to work.