Ninety percent of sound system problems involve simple solutions that you can perform, but most operators overlook.
- Make sure that your system is plugged in. Verify that all power plugs on all equipment are connected securely.
- Power switches. Each piece of equipment usually has a power switch and each one has to be turned on to make the entire system work. Verify that all power switches are ‘ON’ and all power indicator lights on equipment are lighted.
- AC fuses and breakers at the power panel should be intact, not blown and of the correct amperage rating for the circuit. If a breaker or fuse keeps blowing out, consult an electrician to correct any potentially dangerous conditions.
- AC fuses and breakers on the equipment should be intact, not blown and of the correct amp rating for the equipment. If a breaker or fuse keeps blowing out, consult your local sound contractor technician to correct any internal component failure conditions that could damage the piece.
- Speaker fuses and breakers, used to protect speakers and components from high power surges should be intact. A blown fuse or breaker usually means that there is a direct line short that has developed and must be remedied to allow normal service.
- Check microphone cables for dry rot, stress, broken internal wires, disconnected wires at the connectors and broken connectors. Wiggle them all over and listen to the results (static, pops, clicks, hums, buzzes) through the system. Replace suspect cables with known good cables.
- Signal lines between equipment pieces and from microphones should be verified. Is the line coming into the correct input? Are all the correctors securely fitted on the back of each piece of equipment? Is anything hanging loose, obviously disconnected?
- Are the batteries good in any battery powered equipment such as wireless microphone transmitters or hearing assistance receivers? Replace them with new batteries to make sure.
- Lowered sound levels may have been caused by a mixer control turned down too far. Check the “GAIN” control (if you have one), the channel level control (slider) and the “MAIN” output control.
- If the system is feeding back (squealing, howling, ringing, etc.) try turning the main volume control down slightly. If one microphone is much louder that the rest turn it down and return the main control to where it was. Any sound system will feed back, it’s just a matter of how far you can push it.
- Sometimes there is evidence that someone has played with the main equalizer controls. Look for an unlocked equipment rack, missing protective cover or a slider pattern that looks like an “S”, a “U” or has controls pushed above the “0” mark. Misadjusted equalizers cause feedback.
Hello and Welcome to Sound Advice, the technical forum for worship leaders and technical staff in today�s church. My name is Leon Sievers, and while I have more than twenty years of professional audio experience, it is out of obedience and my faith in God which prompted me to create Sound Advice. I have a passion for worship and a strong commitment to prayer. The goal of this web-site is to inspire a commitment to technical excellence within the church. It is my prayer�. that you can benefit from my experience, and I from yours.
I want to dedicate this ministry first to our Lord and Savior, to my wife Laura and daughter Katie, Stephen Newman for creating EXW, my Pastor John Reed and to my brothers in Christ and Sound; Larry Aitken, Lance Enos, Mike Austin, Darryl Brice, Shaug Evans, Erik Yourshaw and the entire worship team(s) at Canyon Hills Church, without whom I would have never come to know the grace and mercy of Jesus Christ. Before we get started, would you please join me in a prayer for our respective ministries�
Oh Lord, please bless this ministry that it might glorify your name. May the talent that you have bestowed upon me be used only to serve you. Let this work be a witness to your majesty and love, and remind us that you are always watching, and listening, from your throne above. May your presence and beauty be found in every note, and may the words that are sung reach the hearts of your people so they will draw closer to you. May your Spirit guide us through every measure so that we might be the instruments of your peace, and proclaim your glory with glad voices���Amen.
Let me begin by saying that this is your web-site and I have no pre-conceived notions of what it should be. I found EXW to be a valuable resource for information, which helped me grow in my faith and understanding of worship. When the Lord first spoke to me about creating Sound Advice, I conducted my own research into those who have gone before me. And I want to tell you�. there are some tremendous people who share our passion for Christ and have technical insight. And true to their faith, they have agreed to share in their experience and knowledge so that we may all benefit. A lot of ground has already been covered in creating technical materials and articles that apply to the church. Rather than duplicate their efforts in an attempt to be original, I will continue to collaborate with the leaders that God has inspired and aid you in filtering the vast resources of information. I will remain open to the spirit in featuring the topics that are of most interest to you and of importance to God. I will translate the technical into real world terms that the layman and novice can understand and APPLY. I am open and committed to developing this ministry into whatever God will have it become.