Moderator: Welcome to tonight's PSW Church Talk live chat session with Tim Hamilton. Tim, can you kick things off by giving us your professional background?

Tim: Yes, in the last few years I've had the opportunity to work at three different companies: an MI store (I was in charge of the one-man PA department, including installation); a rental company (I did sales, install, and rental shows); and a sound contracting company (design and engineering of sound, video and lighting systems).

Tim (continued): I also spent five years on staff at a college in Michigan, working as a technical director. My experience ranges from churches, to clubs, to rock ‘n roll, back to theater, and studio work. I've set it up, torn it down, installed it, blown it up, used it and fought off the people trying to put a pitcher of beer on top of it - while always trying to keep the band happy!

Moderator: Your bio on PSW Church Talk mentions an innovative chapel program at Hope College. Can you elaborate on this?

Tim: About six years ago, a new chaplain staff came on campus and took a virtually non-existent program of 30 students and turned it into a vibrant program regularly attended by 800-1000 students. (God was of course very involved in this.) I was fortunate enough to be in a position to see it happen and be apart from the beginning. We did four services every week, and everything we did had to be portable at first, so we got real good at set-up and tear-down, as well as using lots of different types of gear.

jimb: By a "vibrant" program, what do you mean? Can you be more specific?

Tim: Yes, Jim. I mean a program that was exciting and dynamic. A place where God was really moving and impacting peoples lives. I saw numerous students whose lives were deeply changed. It is a very exciting place, teeming with ideas and the freedom to
try many things you just can't get away with in a traditional church setting.

eric: So now you're heavily involved with systems design?

Tim: Yes, I've stepped out from behind the mixing board to focus more on designing systems. I find it very exciting and interesting to look at a variety of spaces and needs and
recommend equipment to people. It has served to further broaden my experience and expose me to many new ideas and concepts.

Michael: Is there a problem with old people and decibel level in a church setting?

Tim: I can tell you've had some experience with this Michael! I would prefer to state it as "elderly members of many congregations tend to desire a different SPL than some of the rest of us." Basically, yes. Older people aren't usually real excited about the loud music. Looked at from a positive standpoint, it gives us as sound operators the opportunity to mix for a diverse crowd, and it forces us to be sensitive to the congregation/audience.