Current Issue

May 2012

Print Article     Email Article

  Page 1 of 3   >>

by Mike Sessler

If you were to ask 10 sound engineers how they build their live mixes, you’d probably get 12 different answers. Everyone tends to go about it a little bit differently, which is a product of the bands they’re working with as well as the fact that in live sound, you work with what you’ve got. Even with all that variation, however, I think there are some common elements that most engineers use to achieve the result they’re after.

Regardless of how you build the mix, I think it’s important to develop a process that works for you and stick to it. Randomly bringing up instruments and vocals may result in a good mix once in a while, but for more consistent results, stick to a process. Your process will be based on your equipment, the band and the style of music you’re mixing. It’s important to note that what works for [insert name of famous mixing guy] here might not work for you; that’s OK. Learn what you can from as many people as you can then work your own system. Here are a couple of ways to approach mixing.

THE TOP DOWN APPROACH

Some mixes start with vocals and build the music in behind. This was a reliable technique back about 10-15 years ago when worship music was very vocally driven, and the music was really a back- ground track for the vocals. When building a mix this way, you’d start by bringing up the vocals to the desired level, then start working your way through the band. Often, the second layer is guitar and/or keys de- pending on the orchestration. Drums and bass are usually left to the end so as not to overpower the vocals.

There’s nothing wrong with this approach, especially if the music your church sings is largely led by vocals and/or a choir. In this case, the vocals should be right out front with the music playing a supporting role.

Modern worship music has changed, though, and I think there is a more efficient method for building mixes if that is your church’s style.

THE BOTTOM UP APPROACH

Most modern worship music has much more of a rock-n-roll heritage, and is really driven by the drums, bass and guitar. Vocals are still important and need to be very present in the mix, however a solid foundation is critical to making this style work. In this case, mix engineers generally start at the bottom with the kick, the rest of the drum kit and the bass. Some guys like to do kick and bass together as those two sounds really form the foundation of the mix. Drums, guitars and keys are layered in on top to create a solid wall of sound, with vocals brought in at the end.

Going this route will probably lead you to mixing at a higher sound level than the top down approach—and I think that’s OK. Modern worship music needs to be louder than praise team-style music. It’s important to have a goal in mind when you start and keep track of your levels as you build. If you start the foundation too loud, by the time you get to the vocals, you could be way too loud. Don’t fret, go back to the beginning and start again.

  Page 1 of 3   next page >>

Mike Sessler is the technical director at Coast Hills Community Church in Aliso Viejo, Calif. He has been involved in live production for over 20 years and is the author of the blog http://www.ChurchTechArts.org. He also hosts a weekly podcast called Church Tech Weekly on http://www.TechArtsNetwork.com.