The answer is monitor loudspeakers. Now, for the championship round, what is the question?

 Coming up with the right question is often the real challenge. Many churches we have talked to recently have had certain problems. Often, church sound committees are unable to come up with an answer to a problem because they don't recognize what the problem really is. And many times, even if they can figure out what the problem is, they don't have any idea how to solve it. Let's explore some of these problems and discover the correct questions and answers.

The use of background tracks often brings with it a set of problems.

One music trend is the use of a recorded instrumental accompaniment. Songs are available on cassette tape and compact disc (CD). A soloist, small group, or even the large choir can sing along with the music (usually called tracks or trax) which can provide a full symphony orchestra for the accompaniment. Best of all, the vocalists can practice anytime or practically anywhere without having to line up a time to rehearse with the orchestra or even the pianist. In our busy world, background tracks can be very attractive. However, the use of background tracks often brings with it a set of problems.

Trying Tryout

First of all, background tracks must be played back on something. Often a church has a cassette deck, but its purpose is to record the service. You will not be able to record the service and play back the tracks at the same time. This problem can be solved by buying another cassette deck or bringing in your own deck from home.

The next step is to connect the cassette deck or CD player to your sound system. This may be simple or very difficult depending on your particular system. Le's assume you get it hooked up and you can hear music over the loudspeakers.

At this point, the sound quality may or may not sound very musical. That is very dependent on the quality of the sound system. However, let's again assume the background tracks sound acceptable and you start to practice. The sound operator helps you by starting the cassette deck and setting the right balance between your voice and the background track. Then you quickly realize there may be a problem when you start to sing. You can't hear the music. After singing a few measures, you stop singing and ask for the track to be turned up in volume. At that point, a tinge of fear creeps into your heart when you hear the sound operator say that the balance is great in the seating areas. Then you're told that if the background track is turned up any louder, they'll cover up your vocal. Now what are you going to do? You can't sing well if you can't hear the music. What can be done about this problem? The answer (I'm sure you guessed it) is to use a monitor system.

 

Figure 1
Floor monitor loudspeaker

A monitor system allows the vocalist to hear the background tracks from a loudspeaker that is usually on the floor in front of him (Figure 1). A small personal monitor could also be set on a stand in front of the singer. Or if conditions permit, the monitor could be hung from overhead and aimed back to the singer(s) (Figure 2). This method works well for the choir. Either way, whoever is singing would be able to hear enough of the background tracks so they can sing their best. Vocalists could even have their own voices coming back through the monitors. Many singers find they sing better when they can hear their own voices. Usually, the level of the track that is sent to the monitor loudspeaker is independent of the level that is coming from the main loudspeakers. That is important, because the sound operator can adjust the track for the right level for the audience, and the singers can hear what they need to hear.

Figure 2
Overhead monitor loudspeaker for the choir

Monitor loudspeakers have many uses and applications. Sometimes a pastor cannot hear the main sound system well enough. This can cause some uneasiness, especially if the pastor is accustomed to hearing themself being amplified. A monitor loudspeaker can solve this problem by putting the pastor's voice into the monitor loudspeaker. A word of CAUTION: Extreme care must be taken to prevent the sound system from having feedback (usually a loud ringing or howl).

Feedback in the monitor loudspeakers can be a problem if the vocalist or speaker needs a high level. The monitor system may require an equalizer to help achieve more volume without feedback. The equalizer should be a one-third octave band equalizer or a parametric type equalizer, or even both.

More Monitor Usage

Instrumentalists may need a monitor so they can hear each other. If the piano and organ play together and they are placed on each side of the platform, the organist may not be able to hear the piano. Electronic instruments, such as synthesizers and guitars, will need monitor loudspeakers to hear themselves and each other. As the number of musicians grow, the need for more monitors also grows. Some churches use many different monitor mixes or systems so that different instrumentalists or singers can each hear only what they need to hear. This enables the musicians to do their best.

A relatively new method of monitoring is the use of In Ear Monitors. The musicians use headphones or normally earphones that eliminate the need for a loudspeaker monitor. The In Ear Monitor has many advantages.

1. The platform monitor volume level is much less, which improves the sound for the congregation.

2. The musicians can hear themselves better, though this requires a more complex monitor system.