14. Take control of your house EQ by controlling the Q-value of your cuts and boosts.
On a standard 32-channel rack EQ, the Q value is the same with the exception that it might automatically tighten up if a cut is below 3 dB. Therefore, if you run a digital mixer, use the on-board master EQ to alter the house EQ. This gives you the ability to also control the Q-value of your cuts and boosts.
15. Use a ducker for background music and announcements.
A ducker, on a digital console, will automatically cut the volume of a channel when it detects sound on another channel. Therefore, it’s great for the “one-man operation” when you’re running all over and you have background music and the pastor starts talking when you aren’t in the sound booth.
You can set the delay for the period of time in which the music channel comes back up after they stop talking. This way, if they’re taking a breath before talking again, the background music could say low in volume.
16. Don’t discount frequency bands of an instrument.
For example, try adding a lot of high-end on your toms. Even the bass guitar has usable sounds that aren’t just in the low end.
17. Use meaningful distortion.
Distortion can work on more than a bass or a guitar. It can even work on a snare drum. Distortion can sound different depending on how you use it and set the appropriate parameters. When you do use it, use it because it helps the overall sound of the song.
18. Don’t forget about gating.
Try focusing your gating around a frequency range, if possible. Not only do you benefit from only broadcasting the sound once the input reaches a certain volume level, you can know it’s when you are getting the frequencies you desire. Imagine what you could do with a kick drum or a tom.
Ready to learn and laugh? Chris Huff writes about the world of church audio at Behind The Mixer. He covers everything from audio fundamentals to dealing with musicians. He can even tell you the signs the sound guy is having a mental breakdown.