The Gospel According to Vic Vic Thomas Network Audio Consultant International Worship Institute, Audio School Director Former Audio Director, Cathedral of Faith Church - San Jose, CA
			Doug Gould, one of our Shure missionaries, informs us that you divide your time between work for ESPN/ABC/Fox/NBC as an audio engineer, running an audio school at the International Worship Institute and handling sound for Cathedral of Faith Church in San Jose, California. How do you manage all of that? Very wisely, that is why I am no longer the Audio Director at Cathedral of Faith. It took an incredible amount of time, so after twelve years, I stepped down to start WorshipSound Ministries, an extension of the IWI School of Audio. I travel to churches and
		help develop Sound Ministries; training and teaching in both the spiritual and practical aspects of sound; helping churches recognize sound as an important part of their Worship Service. You must find the challenges of your ESPN/ABC/Fox/NBC gig a lot different than the audio intricacies of handling sound at your church. What's the biggest difference? The biggest difference? Well, that is a hard one to answer. Each has its unique aspects, but sound is sound, if you understand the basics of sound and how to apply it to every situation, be it an Olympic sporting event or a Sunday morning church service, you as a sound man must reproduce sounds so that it is intelligible, comfortable and enjoyable for the audience That is why I believe in training and teaching, equipping people with the tools they need to walk into any situation, evaluate it and do the best job possible. In this issue, we want to help our readers with some of the basics of live vocal miking in a worship environment. Since many of our readers aren't sound professionals and may be working with a volunteer staff even less experienced, I'm wondering what you might consider, let's say, the five most important things to remember in miking vocalists and speakers. 1. Microphone choice. This is critical to sound quality, sound pickup and the cancellation factor for the application you are using it for and the environment you are using it in. 2. Placement. Getting the best quality out of the voice being reproduced by getting the best signal to noise ratio. This is especially important when using a lavalier microphone. 3. Correct mic use. Teaching the worship team how to hold the mic correctly will save you a whole lot of headache while mixing. 4. Always make sure you have fresh batteries in all RF mics. This may seem silly, but never assume a battery will last a full service. Words of wisdom from my Pastor after a mic died during a service, "You will disrupt a whole service for a three dollar battery." I will never forget those words. 5. If in doubt about all of the above go to the soundman's fail safe, a Shure SM58. Any other words of wisdom you'd like to share with beginners? Get as much training as you can, both theoretically and practically, and keep experimenting. The more you do the better you will become. Last thing - where can our readers find you in the next several months? I will be at the International Worship Institute in Dallas, July 10 through 17. Come and join us for a great worship experience. You can get more info about IWI and the School of Audio at my web site : www.WorshipSound.Net. Or you can contact me at Vic@WorshipSound.net.
	Also in this issue: Miking Live Vocals    Tales From the Front of House: Vic Thomas Stage Presence: The Jeff Deyo Interview Shure Notes Archives    The Shure Calendar    Product Spotlight Change My Preferences    E-mail to a Friend     Privacy Policy