Vox AC30

For you Vox AC30 finatics: be sure to pick up a copy of "A Service Engineer's Guide To The AC30 Valve Amplifier". I've always been a huge fan of the AC30 clean channel - truly an amazing amplifier creating spectacular tone! Wish I had one!

Korg Triton

Preceeding the Korg Oasys is the increible Korg Triton. Well, it's just an amazing keyboard! I've heard few critical reviews of this sweet piece of gear - every time I hear one on stage I'm always mezmorized by its versatility. The thing is a monster through a nice PA and sounds unbelievable in the studio. The Korg Triton is a geat live workstation if you're into texturing your tunes with some creative drum samples/loops... and it's surprisingly affordable - even more affordable on ebay! Some of the biggest artists on the planet today are using Triton for their flagship keyboard. This keyboard is a wise investment for church worship setups. And what of those seasoned keyboard players who love the touch or feel of their own keyboards? Hey, no problem... just plug in the old keyboard into the Korg Triton rack brainbox (below) = same feel with a contemporary twist!

Live Audio Solutions

There are a number of elements that surround getting that "good" mix at the FOH like room acoustic treatment, accurate loudspeaker placement, reliable power amps, faithful console, great mics and placement, and trained audio techs mixing capable musicians. All that said, I think that most smaller venues like some churches have a difficult time trying to get good mixes from their FOH because of the poor containment levels - noise "bleed" from loud intruments into vocal mics etc... This is most common with drum kits that are unmic'd with no sound enclosure: high frequency audio spills onto the stage uncontrolled, throwing vocalists and other musicians into a frenzy - asking FOH for higher mix levels from their own monitors, pushing the overall SPL through the roof! Laymans terms: the overall sound is really bad! I find drums and floor wedge monitors to be the areas I first put my attention toward when trying to contain sound levels in this type of environment.

I know that many drummers prefer the look and feel of an acoustic kit but these kits are "unrealistic" in most smaller environements that I see them in today (around where I live anyway). Acoustic kits can be contained well but better containment usually costs more than I'd like to spend. I think the bst investment for this kind of containment is a kit like the electronic Roland V-Drums. Because each drum in the kit is wired through the sound console, this eliminates the problem of noise bleed. All you need is nice PA.

Another great way to contain needless "stage noise" is by migrating from monitor wedges to the in-ear monitor system (IEM's). These IEM's eliminate mic feedback from traditional floor monitors and give the musician accurate tone/feel of what they are playing and a greater confidence to do it. Shure Inc. has developed some of the most affordable IEM systems. One great aspect of the Shure IEM systems is that you can purchase them "wired" and then later upgrade the belt packs to wireless when more budget money comes available.

Refining Live Audio Technique

From time to time I find the need to brush up on proper ways to approach live audio deployment, getting those blasted mics set up properly and, of course, getting that superb mix at the FOH. Well, I always fnd my way back to my good friend and his 'lil list of pdf's to give a helping hand to anyone out there into FOH mixing in church or other venues. Check out this list of live audio helps. Oh yeah, and if you feel so inclined to purchase a new Midas XL8 above, it's totally unreal!!.... oh wait, I know you'll want to migrate to the live digidesign VENUE rig...ya ya... hehe

Eoghan Heaslip

I'm not one for plugging a lot of contemporary worship music only because I think that most of it sounds the same anymore. For me, going into the local christian bookstore music section is kinda like going to Baskin Robins: pick your flavour... but the flavour only lasts a while then we come back for something else. I mean, how many times can we listen to the same 15 worship songs produced 15,000 different ways? So that said, I'm extreamly "picky" when it comes to whom I will listen to in the worship music realm.
This might sound a little strange but I've had a song running through my head like crazy the past few weeks and I can't seem to get it out of there. I haven't even heard it or played it for 2 years now...odd. Ever had that happen? Well needless to say, I started to hum out the lyrics of the tune and found them to be very encouraging. The song is by Irish based worship leader/song writer Eoghan Heaslip (pronounced Owen Heslip). I first came across his music a few years back - he got some great writing and creativity. Like I said, the lyrics to "Gathering Song" have been marching through my mind contstantly... check them out - I hope they encourage you today:

As we gather, here together in Your presence
As Your people, we acknowledge and remember
The works of Your hands, Your purpose and plan
Your Word through the ages
Like an anchor for all times, as one we sing:

He who has promised will be faithful
He who has promised will be true
He who has begun a good work will complete it
Oh Lord, all our hope is found in You

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