It can be hard for churches to know just who to turn to for advice when it comes to choosing a sound system.
Keith Hibbs, an associate in the office of worship leadership/church music, for the Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions, said this is one area in which his office helps churches.
Alabama Baptist churches who call his office can receive free advice from Hibbs or his associates. Contact Hibbs at 1-800-264-1225, Ext. 217 or by e-mailing him at khibbs@alsbom.org.
Remember to also talk to professionals in the sound business about your needs and wants.
Some of these were willing to share their advice with the readers of The Alabama Baptist.
It is never too early to plan ahead for program needs.
Work with a reputable contractor who not only can talk church but also has many years of hands-on experience.
Any sound system that requires more than five minutes of training for the church secretary to operate for a simple program is too complicated.
—Michael Thompson, who is president of Thompson Sound, Inc., Trinity (Decatur area)
Get your sound contractor involved early in the building process to avoid having a room that is totally unintelligible. That allows us to help them make better decisions related to the sound of the building.
—Quincy McLean, who is systems manager of SoundCom, LLC, Hoover
Do your homework. Know the dimensions of your building.
Research. Make a wish list of what you want to do in the area of worship (bands, drama).
Show that list to the contractor and tell them this would be the ultimate system.
That may assist him in finding out what your needs really are.
—Tommy Strickland, who is audio/visual coordinator of Shocco Springs and pastor of First Baptist Church, DeArmanville in Anniston
A lot of times the architectural design is overlooked in acoustics.
The sound is going to reflect the architecture of the building no matter what without proper acoustical preparation.
—Chad Edwardson, a sales and design associate of All Pro Sound, Pensacola, Fla.
Consider the vision of your church and adapt your system and acoustics accordingly. If your worship includes plays, events, choir and/or orchestra, the sound system would need to be adapted to that.
A good sound person should be able to technically implement the vision that you have for your church.
Also, ask your sound professional what the intelligibility factor will be in the room since the spoken word of God is the main focus.
—Jim Hall, who is a systems design engineer and owner of Jim Hall Acoustics Research, Greenbrier, Tenn.
Sound is the most important tool in the church. The biggest problem in churches today is people don’t really know how important it (sound) is.
The people coming in expect good sound. If you don’t have good sound you are handcuffing the preacher and staff.
Even if they do a wonderful job they don’t have the right tool.
—Tim Hill, who is president of Sound Hill Music, Holden, La.
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