AS MUSICIANS DO U TEND TO PLAY LOUDER THAN THE CHOIR/GROUP?

[Fantom]

As the Audio/Video guy at church I tend to battle with the musicians in regards to VOLUME.  If there are any A/V guys in here they can attest.  That when you try to compensate the singers to a level above the musicans so they can be heard, it seems the musicians compensate as well to be louder than the singers.

I tell the musicians (and I am a NOVICE one) that the instruments is to accompany the choir/singers.  Not to overpower them! Often times congregational members complain to me because the music is too loud.  You can see the wincing or that they tell me..."Bro Corey... I can't hear the singers and them musicians are TOO LOUD"

Any suggestions/tips on how to talk to the musicians to keep the level down.

God Bless

[sjonathan02]

As the Audio/Video guy at church I tend to battle with the musicians in regards to VOLUME.  If there are any A/V guys in here they can attest.  That when you try to compensate the singers to a level above the musicans so they can be heard, it seems the musicians compensate as well to be louder than the singers.

I tell the musicians (and I am a NOVICE one) that the instruments is to accompany the choir/singers.  Not to overpower them! Often times congregational members complain to me because the music is too loud.  You can see the wincing or that they tell me..."Bro Corey... I can't hear the singers and them musicians are TOO LOUD"

Any suggestions/tips on how to talk to the musicians to keep the level down.

God Bless

Hey if you ever get a satisfactory answer, please let me know.

[nessalynn77]

i'd like to know the answer to this one, as well.

[MA266]

I experienced this same problem for a while.  If it is possible, you may have to record a few of your church services and let the musicians/singers hear the recordings.  If they can hear how over powering they are, then hopfully they will adjust the sound levels.  Also, if you are in charge, you can recommend more appropriate levels.  What I tell musicians I work with is, "This is a ministry, if the message of the song cannot be heard, then all we have provided is "good music."  Meaning, if the congregation/audiance can't hear what is being said, then all they will remember is the music and not the message. 

[sjonathan02]

What I tell musicians I work with is, "This is a ministry, if the message of the song cannot be heard, then all we have provided is "good music."  Meaning, if the congregation/audiance can't hear what is being said, then all they will remember is the music and not the message. 

Oh my, that's so simple but so deep at the same time.

[bishopcole]

i'd like to know the answer to this one, as well.

Well for starters, as I tell people at conferences that I do, that musicians are to be felt and not heard.Now what that is saying is that you can still play with feeling as lond as you don't overpower the choir. There will be times when it is time for the musicians to"SHINE". discipline is the key here!  Bishop Cole

[shamar4296]

Well at my church the S/V guys tell me through a mic piece in my ear if the music is too loud, and i can tell them if i need them to raise my volume a little w/o me doing it.  I usually don't have a problem b/c the sound system is so loud in our church when the choir is singing u will never hear anyone in the audience ever, unless they scream out really loud.  I never heard any cell phones go off when the choir was singing even tho i let mine ring the whole time i played while the choir was singing-nobody heard it tho.  I guess it depends on the sound system and the person or peoples working it.  It is much better to have a walkie talkie or ear piece to communicate with the visual and sound operators. I can't see a lot b/c im in the pit behind the pulpit and in front of the choir stand. Many times i can't hear someone singing on the floor in church or can't see them on my screen, and with the ear piece all i do is hit a button and start talking and the guys just pop them on my screen. But also my church has some type of acoustic surround-sound, and  I have a speaker on the stand and a Flat screen right next to me.  Technology these days is a HUGE plus in the music ministry.   

[bishopcole]

Well at my church the S/V guys tell me through a mic piece in my ear if the music is too loud, and i can tell them if i need them to raise my volume a little w/o me doing it.  I usually don't have a problem b/c the sound system is so loud in our church when the choir is singing u will never hear anyone in the audience ever, unless they scream out really loud.  I never heard any cell phones go off when the choir was singing even tho i let mine ring the whole time i played while the choir was singing-nobody heard it tho.  I guess it depends on the sound system and the person or peoples working it.  It is much better to have a walkie talkie or ear piece to communicate with the visual and sound operators. I can't see a lot b/c im in the pit behind the pulpit and in front of the choir stand. Many times i can't hear someone singing on the floor in church or can't see them on my screen, and with the ear piece all i do is hit a button and start talking and the guys just pop them on my screen. But also my church has some type of acoustic surround-sound, and  I have a speaker on the stand and a Flat screen right next to me.  Technology these days is a HUGE plus in the music ministry.   

Yes Doc, you are blessed with the right setup!  Bishop Cole

[bishop2]

Well for starters, as I tell people at conferences that I do, that musicians are to be felt and not heard.Now what that is saying is that you can still play with feeling as lond as you don't overpower the choir. There will be times when it is time for the musicians to"SHINE". discipline is the key here!  Bishop Cole

Yeah Bishop, this is how they trained me... If you can't hear what they are singing you are playing too loud... I also apply this to the preacher, if you don't understand what they are saying chances are the congregation doesn't either... And that is what is important, that you ACCOMPANY, not take over...

[Fantom]

I truly appreciate all the replies in response to musicians playing too loud.  I've tried to encircle the musicians with monitors. We don't have a huge budget for in-ear monitoring system.  I try to maintain their mix in "their monitor" to an appropriate level.  But I guess when they start feeling the song it comes out in their playing, thus escaclating the volume level.  Much like someone said in an earlier reply. They can feel the flow of worship, just don't let it manifest itself in turning up your amp, guitar, organ etc...

But sometimes our Pastor encourages them to "Turn Up the Volume" which inturn, due to the increase in volume causes church members to winch in Deafness.

I'm under the impression, that other than continually educating them that they (musicians) are to complement the choir not overpower them. And keep tweeking their levels in the mix until i am able to convince the Pastor we need to invest in inear monitors and other means to reduce the volume of the Music,

[iamworship2006]

Well at my church the S/V guys tell me through a mic piece in my ear if the music is too loud, and i can tell them if i need them to raise my volume a little w/o me doing it.  I usually don't have a problem b/c the sound system is so loud in our church when the choir is singing u will never hear anyone in the audience ever, unless they scream out really loud.  I never heard any cell phones go off when the choir was singing even tho i let mine ring the whole time i played while the choir was singing-nobody heard it tho.  I guess it depends on the sound system and the person or peoples working it.  It is much better to have a walkie talkie or ear piece to communicate with the visual and sound operators. I can't see a lot b/c im in the pit behind the pulpit and in front of the choir stand. Many times i can't hear someone singing on the floor in church or can't see them on my screen, and with the ear piece all i do is hit a button and start talking and the guys just pop them on my screen. But also my church has some type of acoustic surround-sound, and  I have a speaker on the stand and a Flat screen right next to me.  Technology these days is a HUGE plus in the music ministry.   

Here is what we are getting for our musicians. in ear monitors that way if they want it loud and banging then they can have it that way but not affect the house at all. You might consider it'a fairly inexpensive here is the website to read up onit a bit more. I hope it helsp cause we have the same problem and then you end up with a Rock Concert-  A BUNCH OF BANGIN AND SCREAMIN!!

http://www.samash.com/catalog/showitem.asp?ItemPos=0&TempID=1&STRID=144751&Method=0&CategoryID=0&BrandID=2183&PriceRangeID=0&PageNum=0&DepartmentID=0&pagesize=10&SortMethod=3&SearchPhrase=&Contains=&Search_Type=SEARCH&GroupCode=

[B_XALTED]

In the mixer/ board for the sound system,  are the keyboards on seperate amps or are they piped into the PA???? My church had the same problem, but, we just gt new equipment, and now EVERYTHING is piped into the PA so now them sound crew can control everything...

[B_XALTED]

Attatch some jumper cables underneath the keyboards (on the volume knob)... than as soon as the musician touches it.... SSSZZZSSSZZZSSSZZZZZZ!!!!!! hey, you may short out the church, but atleast they know not to touch that volume.... I did that before with the drums... well not xactly..... I put glue on the sticks, and tacks on the throne..... a lot of kids needed acetone, and bandaids... lol... but the point get accross...... lol.... Naw kidding... Just wanted to haver some fun with you. let me know how that turns out...

[ferrente]

Welcome to LGM MA266 
 

[ferrente]

Fantom, This is a very good question.


 
 

[ndel]

Good information good information