An old friend

If you mix on Yamaha consoles, here is tip number I’ve lost count…Delay LCR.  It will be your friend.  I promise.

A few weeks ago I spent an evening mixing on a Meyer rig with a Yamaha PM5D at FOH.  After having spent 2 years on a PM1D at Kensington, it was like coming home to an old friend.  No plug-ins, parallel compression, or other tricks – just focusing on the fundamentals that make a mix great.  It’s a great reminder that the engineer and musicians are what make a mix.  The tools are only that – tools.

Piedmont Church – Marietta, GA

I spent the day yesterday commissioning and training the team at Piedmont Church on their new IMAG system.  16×16 broadcast SDI router, 8-input 1 M/E switcher with 3 auxes, 2 GFX computers running Renewed Vision ProPresenter and ProVideoPlayer with alpha keying, 3 cameras, intercom system, and a retrofit installation with LOTS of necessary wire and infrastructure.  It is a killer video rig that has met this church’s needs perfectly.

One of my favorite parts of my job is working with churches on the fit and finish of these new systems.  I’ve written for literally years about the art of setting the table for artists to create when mixing and leading an audio team.  This is no different.  After all of the discovery, design, and installation work is completed, the final step is commissioning and training. In these settings my role is to make sure that every single detail has been accounted for, from production IP network configuration to equipment labeling, desktop backgrounds that ensure volunteers are clear which computer they are operating to router and switcher optimization and configuration.  Once the table is properly set for these production artists, the technology disappears into a toolbox for them to use to create the experience that will connect people with God during each service.  It is an honor to partner with some of the most gifted church leaders in the country such as Dr. Ike Reighard, Al Holley, and Roger Christian at Piedmont Church as they advance the message of Christ in their community.

You’re welcome…

“A great approach, regardless the tools, will win every single time. Master the basics, keep it simple, no ego, people skills.”

Christmas Eve Opener 2011

So this year I was planning to take Christmas Eve off…I really was.  After spending the past 5 years working in churches professionally, this year seemed like a great chance to take the year off.  However, in November I started mixing at several of the North Point Ministries campuses here in Atlanta.  So when the request came to mix Christmas Eve in the West Auditorium at North Point Community Church, I couldn’t stay away, although t felt like a lightweight only mixing 3 services rather than the normal 9-13 I’ve done each of the past 5 years!  It is an honor serving with the team at North Point – truly one of the most talented and well organized production teams on the planet.

Enjoy the opener from the service below.  The bands in the East and West auditoriums are playing together to a common click track with the lead vocalists spread between the two stages.  Todd and Candi are in the East and Eddie and Ryan are in the West.

The best part of this year – I was able to mix on Christmas eve morning and be done in plenty of time for our family to go to church together in the afternoon and spend the evening at home preparing for Santa to arrive.  It really was the best of all worlds!

Mixing at Free Chapel

Here’s another excellent room I’ve been mixing in recently…Free Chapel in Gainesville, GA.  My friend Dustin Whitt has done an excellent job tuning this PA and overall giving the room some love.  It’s hard to go wrong with Meyer MSL4′s, CQ2′s, and 650P’s.  I cut my teeth professionally almost 10 years ago on rigs just like this one so this is kind of like coming home.  Enjoy the photos from a Night of Worship there last night.

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Shure Axient Wireless System

Check out this most excellent overview of the new Axient system from Shure and some other goodies along the way. If you’ve been wondering what makes Axient so special, case closed. I have mixed with it, spent time learning about the product, and soon will be certified in designing and installing it. Believe me, there is no other wireless system like this on the planet!