In an age of rapidly advancing technology, it's easy to be tempted by the latest gadgets for your church's audio, visual, and lighting (AVL) needs. The allure of cutting-edge features or budget-friendly options can be strong. However, it's important to remember that technology is just one tool in your toolbox to deliver engaging experiences and connect with your congregation. This is why having a well-thought-out master plan for your church's AVL setup is crucial.

Master Plan vs. Design Plan: Understanding the Difference

A master plan is more than just a design plan. It’s a comprehensive, phased approach that outlines the current and future needs for your church AVL solutions.

The master plan ensures that even with budget constraints, strategic decisions are made to gradually achieve your vision for your church service. It’s about creating a cohesive system that enhances worship experiences and supports your ministry’s activities, making sure that each phase of the plan moves you closer to your ultimate goals.

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Mike Robertson, Consultant, CCI Solutions

Like many before me, I started my tech journey when I was in middle school at the youth group. They needed someone to turn some knobs, and man, did I like turning those knobs! I ended up being the “sound guy” for our youth group and quickly was serving in “Big Church.” I never ended up getting formal training, but simply learned to use what we had at the church, picking up tricks along the way. This path allowed me to work local events and eventually I ended up leading the church technical team. When I left for college, I still did some audio support but dove into the broadcast video world. This took me out of the audio world for the next decade plus – now I was the Video Guy. 

After years of working as a Tech Lead at two churches, where I handled everything from video production to audio management, I’ve now taken on a volunteer role at my local church. My focus is on video directing and running audio, and despite my experience, I’ve found myself relearning many of the basics all over again!  

Over the past year, while adjusting to my role as the church sound technician, I’ve picked up several key lessons. I’m no expert—sometimes I feel like I’m still finding my way—but my goal is to serve wherever I can. For me, working in the FOH position helps me connect with God and worship through service.

1. Learn the instrument you are using

I grew up mixing on mostly analog consoles. I have used some digital boards along the way, but not consistently. I currently work for a National Integration company and a phrase I hear in my conversations with other Church Techs who are still making that Analog to Digital transition is that the “Analog to Digital Learning Curve is steep.” Not all digital boards are the same, but it always does take time to learn the ins and outs of the instrument we were using at the church. One year into my journey of using this audio board a few times a week, I finally felt comfortable with how to navigate “all the things.” When that comfort level hit, I felt liberated to begin exploring my mix on a deeper level.

2. Learn to be curious

Learning your tool leads to an ability to be curious and to explore the options that are available to the mixer. I have become more adventurous with adjusting the compressors and gates and started rearranging the physical layouts to fit my needs. We use a third-party software and hardware program for effects and processing and I am now turning, twisting, and testing everything I can to see how it affects the audio I hear. There were moments when I would sit in the room by myself, play tracks, and then decide to scrap everything I was once using for another path. Being curious is a path to growth.

We’re Back and Stronger Than Ever!

InfoComm 2024 marked a significant turning point in the post-COVID era, being the most well-attended trade show since the pandemic began. While exact attendance figures are still being calculated, the palpable excitement for in-person trade shows has clearly returned.

This year's event showcased the latest advancements in professional audio and video technology, alongside a robust education program featuring daily courses. A prominent trend observed at InfoComm 2024 was the frequent mention of "AI" by various vendors. However, many of these claims raised questions, as their products often lacked the true embodiment of artificial intelligence.

Innovation was everywhere, with many new products and solutions from both well-known and emerging brands. Transparent LED displays, for example, are becoming more common, though their application in the church world remains to be seen.

Reconnecting with our long-standing partners and re-establishing relationships with past ones was a highlight. We also observed a growing adoption of SMPTE 2110 video over IP. However, its requirement for high-bandwidth infrastructure makes it a costly investment.

Motion tracking technology has now permeated mid-level PTZ cameras and is starting to appear in entry-level models, although the quality varies.

In the digital age, livestreaming has evolved from a novel concept to an essential channel for churches. The pandemic accelerated this transformation, turning what was once an optional extra into a crucial part of any church’s function in reaching your congregation - wherever they are - and delivering a similarly impactful message and engaging experience. Today, both current and potential members of a church have high expectations for livestream quality, especially when it comes to audio. Where audiences may forgive poor lighting or video quality, they will swiftly check out if the sound is poor.

If you haven’t upgraded the audio of your livestream yet, you might want to consider it as your next project. By maintaining a high quality livestream, you can ensure that you’re connecting to your congregation no matter where they are geographically.

Wherever you are in your livestream journey, there are best practices that can help. Below, we discuss the five different levels from basic fixes to professional upgrades to help you improve your livestream’s audio quality and deliver your message, without distractions.