So after hosting the Willow Creek Leadership Summit, Pedro says to me, “You should write a post about talking to the sound guy during a service.” Great idea. Apparently some guy wanted to talk shop while the event was running.
There are a few types of people we meet by the sound booth.
One type is the clueless, socially oblivious carbon unit. I really believe this person feels like they’re watching a life-long TV show; taking it all in and providing a running commentary. You hear them walk into the auditorium talking out loud and loudly twenty minutes into a sermon. I half expect to see them to pull out a Brawndo (it’s got electrolytes!) and a bag of chips after grabbing a comfortable seat. Beyond training your ushers to shush people there’s not much you can do about that. These are the guys who will come up behind you during a service and ask questions about the console. It happens rarely but one time is one too many.
Another type is just as dangerous. This is the person who waves cars through intersections out of turn because they’re so polite and nice. By the way, people get hurt, cars get broken, and it takes a lot of folks to help you be that nice so please, don’t. Ironically, this person has something critical to say like “there’s no sound in the parents’ room” but they don’t want to interrupt you. They’ll stand behind you, make you wonder who and why, and wait till a transition to speak up. I’ve missed announcement mic cues over these folks – my back to the stage, the announcement lady yelling so the room can hear her…
After the jump – a few tips on how to talk to your sound engineer when they’re working.
I can only speak for myself but I think most sound engineers agree with me.
When’s a good time?
There’s not, so just do it. If you know something we need to know then you’re temporarily on the production team. Say it, and quick.
We’re the bus driver.
It’s a hands-on job; not a set-it-and-forget-it project. At Cornerstone, think of us like a driver of a 1500 passenger bus. We drive the worship experience for lots of people and our purpose is to stay invisible by not making mistakes. When you have something to say to the guy driving the bus you don’t sit behind him and wait for him to notice you. You don’t tap him on the shoulder or wiggle his chair so he has to turn completely around to talk to you. You don’t say, “hey, I know you’re rolling on a straight road right now, I’ll wait till you get to an intersection and start into a left turn.”
If you’re going to affect the bus driver, and the safety of all the passengers, you should (1) have something pertinent to say, (2) walk up right beside them, and (3) say “I have something important for you” then let him or her decide when to respond.
Same for us. Please enter the sound booth, stand beside us like a co-worker and say, “got a sec?” If it’s not important enough to actually enter the sound booth then email it later.
Be clear.
If you could hear the chatter on the production team’s headsets you’d think we were rude. Nice is the enemy of clear. In work mode we keep things short and clear. The best way to talk to us is short and clear. Extra words like, “and you’re doing an awesome job!” or “oh, and I’ll talk to you about next Wednesday’s meeting soon” rob mental energy and focus. Save the Scooby Snacks for later. We do like them.
That’s pretty much it but, before I go, here are a few extra nuggets for the trail.
Sound engineers, it’s up to us to teach people how to talk to us. If you’re worried about hurting feelings or having someone think you’re mean then maybe you’re not fit for the role. There’s little room for sensitive egos in this biz. You kind of have to get over yourself.
Ministry leaders, please don’t discuss your mid-week AVL needs with me on Saturday or Sunday. Every time I hear, “I’ll talk to you about it this weekend,” I cringe. I’m completely focused on the weekend and I have a tiny span of attention. Email or call me during the week when I am focused on desk work and your stuff.
During sound check, carrying on conversations around the sound booth is more than distracting. In order to hear yourself you have to talk over the band volume and we hear you as much as them. It’s sort of like shining spotlights on the stage when the lighting op is creating lighting scenes.
Friends, please do stop by and say high after the service if you’re walking by and we’re done pushing faders. Weekend service is the only time I get to see many of you and a warm hello is always welcome.
Curious peeps, please do stop by and ask questions about the console, system, and production team after Saturday or Sunday 11am services. We love to geek out about production and gear.
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BRAWNDO!!! (It’s what plants crave…)
I have been looking for something like to explain myself to people. I would print this and put it on the booth door but no one reads signs.
you mean…you don’t like it when i throw corn nuts at you to get your attention?
Same rules apply to recording engineers. Music plays/mouth shuts, no tapping drums on cabinets or console.
This is fantastic! I’m obviously a female tech and this is pretty much all the things I’ve wanted to say :) hahaha. Particularly the ‘Come and talk to me AFTER I’m done pushing faders’.