The greatest advancement in technology can also be the greatest hindrance in productivity. A lack of training always makes new tools seem frustrating. Over the last decade churches have moved from using floor monitors, to in-ear monitors (IEM’s) controlled by the booth and now to in-ears being controlled by the worship team through small mixers, or phone or tablet apps. While this may seem perfect for every situation, it can be detrimental to the worship team if they are not given proper instruction. Not only can it cause the team not to perform at their best, but it can cause significant frustration when the mix is consistently cluttered.
Most common phrase spoken to a sound engineer... “I can’t hear _____.”
Give the team realistic expectations about mix.
The best way to be happy with in-ears is to be aware that a monitor mix is simply a reference for the worship team to know what’s going on, it shouldn’t sound like a house mix. When people have too high of expectations, they will spend more time tweaking their mix instead of focusing on practice or service. The mix will not sound like the room and that’s OK.
Don't forget, less is more.
Less is more in a monitor mix.
The greatest help a worship team member can have is an understanding of what is needed and what isn’t inside their mix. For a person leading worship, they need something to give them musical rhythm (like a kick and snare), something to establish pitch (like a keyboard or guitar), and something to help the worship leader stay in tempo (like a click track or a high hat). Others may just need to add a worship lead vocal to the mix so they can hear direction from the leader. Obviously, the pastor’s mic would also be helpful for transitions as well.
The last thing that may be worth adding is audience microphones. This can help those on platform connect and feel less isolated with their in-ears. It’s important to mention that too much audience mic can clutter an in ear mix fast. So don’t forget, less is more.
Use both ears.
One of the greatest challenges for those new to in-ears is feeling isolated from the room. Feeling connected to those in the congregation is important. To feel connected many have chosen to sing or play with one earbud in and the other out so they can hear the room. The problem with that is twofold: first, it’s not good for overall hearing over long periods of time. It can cause permanent damage to the one ear. Secondly, it makes it harder to hear the mix with clarity. People have a need to hear in the same depth from both ears, when this doesn’t happen it makes a mix sound chaotic. So, learning to adapt to both earbuds in will be the best solution over time. It’s a hard habit to break if they are used to playing with one in and one out, but it’s worth breaking the habit. The church may need to purchase audience/room mics before asking people to shift what they are doing.
When the vocalist or musician can’t hear something, don’t tell them to turn that item up. Instead, turn everything else down by 25-50% and then turn the master up.
What comes up may need to come down.
The single most common phrase ever spoken to a sound engineer is, “I can’t hear _____.” This statement is in every sound check. The majority of the time the problem is not that the instrument or vocal isn’t loud enough, but that other things are too loud and the master volume isn’t loud enough. When the vocalist or musician can’t hear something, don’t tell them to turn that item up. Instead, turn everything else down by 25-50% and then turn the master up. This almost always fixes the issue. This is ultimately a gain staging issue, but don’t explain that to the worship team, just help them adjust to their needs.
Every worship team can benefit from an in-ear system they can control, but the equipment is only half the battle. Not only is the upgrade to in-ears needed, but an explanation of how to mix in-ears is equally needed. When we resource our teams both with good equipment and knowledge, we can create more excellent worship environments for those onstage and in the congregation.
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