Ken: So do you use mic pre amps for vocals or anything else?

Jay: When doing a live recording, I use rack mounted mic pre amps for the lead singer, and the lead instrument. Everything else I just use the pre amps in the console. In the studio, I put everything through high-grade mic pre amps.

kc: Have you taken classes in operating Pro Tools, or is it fairly intuitive to pick up if you use it for a while?

Jay: I have driven all over the earth (well, Michigan, Indiana and Illinois at least), taking classes offered by Digidesign and Sweetwater, as well as reading everything I can, talking on the Digidesign Users Conference (DUC) to other producers with the same systems. On the DUC, we trade secrets and stories, and that's where you learn a vast majority of the techniques. With all that, it took me about 12 months of continual use to become proficient.

Phil McCraken: What type of speakers do you have at your church? Processing equipment? Sound console?

Jay: The church is currently re-fitting the room with EAW cabinets. They have an Allen & Heath GL3300 console, and the speaker processing is still being debated. They are looking at dbx and (Peavey) MediaMatrix.

Phil McCraken: EAW? Really? Why EAW?

Jay: Because EAW kicks butt. (It has a loud deep sound.)

PMC: Do you have a web site?

Jay: You can visit our site for the label and the studio, which is under construction at www.unsignedrecords.com. Integrated Media is at www.imgintl.com.

BAM: Getting back to mic pre amps for a moment, I know some folks who swear by the Aphex unit? Had any experience with this one?

Jay: Yes, I’ve had their $5,000.00 unit in the studio for two months, and it was very transparent, eight channels, with PC control. I like it very much on drums because it’s incredibly punchy and clear, but it lacked warmth and tone on things like vocals and guitars. I prefer the Avalon 737 for those purposes.

TJ: Outside of the obvious price and subjective quality issues, what should I be considering when deciding what to purchase, and from whom?

Jay: When making that decision, it comes down to a couple things. Find a company with a track record. Check it out. Deal with someone you actually like to talk to, and who actually listens to you. For my recording studio, I only deal with Nikka Aldrich from Sweetwater Sound. For all other audio/visual needs, Integrated Media.

Jay (continued): I have personal relationships with both places, the staff, and I regularly visit the shops, and talk with the people outside of the professional setting. These people are genuinely concerned about my success, and that's good business.

Moderator: Jay, final question. Favorite track, favorite gear, favorite speaker, favorite person…?

Jay: Right now: - “Hangin’ By A Moment”, “Lifehouse”, “Kris Utter”, Avalon, Neumann, EAW.

Moderator: Thanks Jay!

Jay: You’re welcome!

Moderator: Don't miss PSW Church Talk next week (Tuesday, May 8), when our guest will be Vance Breshears, and also note that JBL's David Scheirman will be the live chat guest on PSW next Monday night, May 7. Both sessions kick off at 9:30 pm EST.

And remember that you can carry your chat to PSW’s live audio and install sound forums, where you can get answers 24 hours a day from your peers!