Selecting a good quality sound system can be a daunting task with so many types from which to choose. Instead of thinking of the system first, sound professionals recommend church leaders concentrate on finding the right sound contractor to help them design a system to meet their ministry needs.
To help Alabama Baptists with the selection process, the State Board of Missions (SBOM) offers a free service through the Cooperative Program that walks churches through the entire sound process.
When a church needs a new sound system or advice on the effectiveness of an existing one, Keith Hibbs, a sound expert in the SBOM’s office of worship leadership/church music, schedules a consultation to determine the sound needs of the church.
“I feel as though this should be the first step a church should make when trying to assess the needs of the church,” he said. “A lot of churches don’t know where to turn to receive help in this area and this can save a lot of money and a lot of time.”
While meeting with the church, Hibbs will make sure that the speakers are located in areas that provide good coverage, the microphone and speaker junction boxes are located in useable spaces and the mixing console is positioned in an area that allows the sound technician to most efficiently mix the sound among other things. He also refers various sound contractors to the church.
With more than 21 years of professional experience, Hibbs can also help churches correct some sound problems without replacing the entire system and save a great deal of money at the same time.
“The average shelf-life of a sound system if it is good equipment is about 15 years,” he said. “An effective indicator of problems are malfunctions during church services.”
According to sound professionals, it is important that church leaders involve experts in the selection of a sound system because not all systems function the same in different worship centers.
Tommy Strickland, audio/visual director of Shocco Springs Baptist Conference Center in Talladega and former minister of music, advises churches to resist the temptation to set up their own sound systems.
“You can call any local electronics store and buy a system in a box but those systems are usually designed to be portable,” he said. “Some people will sell you a 5,000-watt amp when you only need a 300-watt amp. With a contractor, he will tailor the equipment to [your needs.]”
Gary Swafford, director of new work and church building services at the SBOM, agreed. “Seeking professional advice on what equipment to buy will give you … equipment that will accomplish your purpose,” he said. “A professional has the training, education and instruments to determine the exact equipment needs of the church.”
Just as important as choosing the right contractor is involving a professional as soon as possible in the construction process. According to sound experts, a common mistake made by church leaders is contacting the sound contractor after the room is already constructed instead of in the beginning of the building process.
“The most common practice is to build the building and then design the sound system to fit the building,” said Swafford. “You will get better quality sound if the design has incorporated the principles of acoustics.”
Michael Thompson, president of Thompson Sound Inc. in Trinity, concurred. “Working with a professional sound contractor from the earliest stages of design can many times save enough money by preventing costly mistakes to pay for the sound system, video projection and even the production lighting system.”
Church leaders should also follow some guidelines when choosing a sound professional:
Make sure the person is licensed and insured.
Find out how much hands-on experience the contractor has with churches.
Sound and acoustics vary in churches and other venues. Therefore, the sound contractor should be experienced in providing sound systems in church facilities.
“Because someone can install home and car stereos or operate the school PA (public address) system does not mean that they can install church sound reinforcement systems,” said Thompson. “Look for a contractor who specializes in churches.”
Ask for references and thoroughly check them.
Make sure that the contractor is a licensed rigger.
A rigger is “someone who has been professionally trained to suspend objects such as speakers, lighting systems and video projectors over people’s heads without them falling,” Thompson said.
Get a written contract.
“It allows some flexibility and includes all the equipment that you will be getting and the services that the contractor will provide,” Strickland added.
Also included in the contract should be follow-up service costs, necessary training on new equipment and warranty coverage for both equipment and installation.
Confirm that the contractor will offer training on the equipment.
“If a sound contractor does his job correctly, he also trains the sound techs after the installation of the system,” said Hibbs.
Tim Hill, president of Sound Hill Music in Holden, La., agreed. “The equipment is only as good as the people running it,” he said.
Involve the minister of music in the sound process.
Hibbs can help church leaders analyze proposals from sound contractors, allowing them to make a well-informed decision.
During installation, church leaders should make sure the contractor uses quality equipment, installs equipment properly, blends it into the aesthetics of the facility and positions the components in an accessible user-friendly area, said Hibbs.
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