One of the most important things we can do as mixers is gain control of the instrument sounds coming from our stages. Electric guitar amps are perhaps the easiest, and highest impact instruments to move off-stage. We’ve found a piece of gear that makes this transition easy, all while retaining the quality of the guitar player’s tone. See the video for more details on how we set it up.

The Radial SGI is about $250. For more information about the Radial SGI, click here.

There are a million things going on in the mix at any given second during a song. It’s easy to get tunnel vision, you focus on one instrument, then the next, then there’s a strange noise, this song is ending, who’s next, did I change those batteries? It never seems to end and if it does, you just want to zone out and enjoy the moment. It’s very easy to focus on the urgent issues when mixing, and I want to challenge you to focus on what is important to the music. The things that give the music life, character and depth.

What is the most important thing happening in the mix right now? This has become the creed among our volunteers. If you find yourself thinking “this mix is just boring” or “it just sounds like noise,” it’s time to start digging for what is important. Look for ways to breathe life into the mix by looking for things that are interesting. Be wary of the perfectly-balanced mix where everything is the same level. In many songs, there is one instrument that really makes the song shine. Figure out what it is and let it stand out. You will find that the song suddenly has a new life by making a few small mix changes.

Oh, and if you’re having a hard time deciding what is the most important thing in the mix or finding something interesting, it’s a great opportunity to talk to your Music Director!

-Dustin

As a Music Director, I can tell you that our team of musicians works very hard to craft a polished set list each week. Some of our efforts are focused on picking engaging arrangements of songs; and, ample time is spent piecing the music together on-stage at rehearsal. It’s important for each musician to know his/her role in the music, and to know when and when not to play. When music is performed strategically… said another way… each part is played completely on-purpose, there should be room left for one interesting musical element to shine in any given moment.

In modern worship music, the “most important” element is often the lead vocal. It also can be the melody line on electric guitar, an interesting bass riff after a vocal phrase, a piano melody soaring over the bridge, a background vocal repeat of the lead vocal, or a memorable drum fill. It’s rarely rhythm electric guitar, acoustic guitar strumming, or quarter note chording on piano. (In most cases, I consider these elements “textures.”) If you’re mixing or playing, and there is nothing interesting happening, this may be a warning sign that something in the music needs to change. (If you need help discerning this, these are the moments when everything sounds like mush.)

On the other hand, if each band member is riffing on top of one another, someone needs to organize the chaos. It’s crucial. If you need answers for how to play songs, reference the recorded versions of music. They are often produced and played very well. Copy them note-for-note. There’s no shame in borrowing great production.

If you get the music arranged well, then there is still one important step: communication between the Music and Audio teams. Chat about what’s happening in the music, who’s singing what/when, where the interesting parts are in the arrangements. Make sure your mixer knows the arrangements as well as you do. It’s a law of good music: there is always something that is most important. Find it, amplify it, and sense your worship environment come to life.

-Chris