TechnoPraxis™

Ain’t it the Truth

klonghofer@gmail.com (Kirk Longhofer) — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 23:14:00 +0000

The Noticer

klonghofer@gmail.com (Kirk Longhofer) — Fri, 22 May 2009 22:59:00 +0000

“That’s what most folks lack—perspective—a broader view. So I give them that broader view . . . and it allows them to regroup, take a breath, and begin their lives again.”

It’s been quite a while since I’ve read a book in one sitting.

It’s been even longer since I’ve had a book knock me back in my chair, make me take a few deep breaths, and then go take a walk just to think through some of what I’d just read.

“The Noticer” from Andy Andrews did it, though. It’s a small book, under 200 pages, and one you can easily plow through it in just a couple of hours. I did that, then read it again the next evening. I’ll be reading it again this weekend.

“Worry . . . fear . . . is just a misuse of the creative imagination that has been placed in each of us. Because we are smart and creative, we imagine all the things that could happen, that might happen, that will happen if this or that happens.”

Jones is an older man. How old we really never find out. And his name might not be Jones, at least not for you. It might be Garcia, or Chen, or something else.

His gift, he says, is a simple one. He is a “noticer.” Jones notices things that others overlook, things that are often in plain sight, he says. And, in the noticing, he offers perspective.

“Most people think it takes a long time to change. It doesn’t. Change is immediate! Instantaneous! It may take a long time to decide to change . . . but change happens in a heartbeat!”

Jones slips in and out of the lives of the characters in Andy Andrews new novel, which is based, he says, on a true experience. He offers them the gift of perspective, allowing them to see beyond circumstances, and to understand their real potential, their value and worth. Jones shows them, with simple logic and absolute clarity, that change is possible, that life can be different and rewarding and is not ever over until it’s over.

“Despite popular belief to the contrary, there is absolutely no power in intention... there is no difference in the person who intends to do things
differently and the one who never thinks about it in the first place.”

Not that it probably means much to you, but I can’t recommend this book enough to you. Buy it today and read it tonight. It will encourage you and lift you up.

It may even change your life.

I am pretty sure it’s changing mine.

Technorati Tags: Andy Andrews,The Noticer,perspective

“Edgy” or just Offensive"?

klonghofer@gmail.com (Kirk Longhofer) — Thu, 14 May 2009 16:56:00 +0000

The more Craig Groeschel writes, the more ~~of a fan I become~~ I look to him as an example of a great leader. I just wish the OKC campus wasn’t a little over two hours from my house. His topic today is being edgy for the sake of being edgy.

“…without wisdom and prayerful attention, a pastor can easily cross the line from edgy to offensive.”

Great wisdom, and even a bit convicting for me. Read the rest of his post, right here.

It’s All About the Flow

klonghofer@gmail.com (Kirk Longhofer) — Sat, 25 Apr 2009 22:24:00 +0000

Jon over at Stuff Christians Like recently wrote about a youth retreat where he was the featured speaker. Jon says he’s not a comedian, and he’s not, but he is one of those guys that has the gift of finding the absurd in the everyday stuff we all see.

At this particular event, he got stuck in a “flow nightmare.” Slow melancholy music, leading into his talk. Not fun to follow!

“If you’re planning on starting with a really funny skit and then following that with a devastatingly sad video, and then a sermon about tithing and then a really happy worship song, help us out a little. Give us some transitions on that emotional rollercoaster.”

This really drives home the value in planning. When you plan a worship service, or any event, pay attention to the transitions. Let me say that again: Pay attention to the TRANSITIONS.

Television has an advantage. They can fade to black to signify a significant change in scene or mood. We don’t really have that option, most of the time, in services.

What we CAN do, is make sure that the individual elements are in harmony. Make sure they work together. Make sure that everyone involved KNOWS what is happening before their element, and after their element.

Planning is not the most fun part of creating experiences. The sad truth is that most churches don’t do it effectively. Without it, we’re just rolling the dice as to whether or not our experiences will be effective.

Stuff Christians Like, Jon Acuff, harmony, event planning, transitions

A New Look is On The Way

klonghofer@gmail.com (Kirk Longhofer) — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 17:39:00 +0000

Hey… check this out!

For the past three years or so, I’ve run this site courtesy of Blogger, and it’s been a great solution that I still recommend highly. Along with all the other changes I’ve been working through, we’ve decided to make the switch to WordPress.

The first step was actually to work through the branding process for TechnoPraxis. I owe a huge debt to my friends Jeff and Laurie Carney at The Strategy Group in Wichita for their support and kindness over the years. They’re branding gurus, and Laurie was great in helping me take scattered thoughts, and bring focus to the brand.

Then, SG designer Karis Marsh hit it out the park with the logo you see above. I love it, and it really speaks to where I see TechnoPraxis heading in this new season.

So, keep an eye out for the new look and feel. I’m looking forward to actually using WordPress for my own site, instead of just recommending it to others. And, as always, if you have questions, comments, criticisms or just like to see your name on the web, leave a comment below!

Not going to MinistryTECH? Catch it online!

klonghofer@gmail.com (Kirk Longhofer) — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 22:17:00 +0000

I stole this from Jason Powell, who stole it from Jason Lee. Yep, just plain old stole it! It’s that good, and I’m that busy!

Geeky but grounded?
Plugged-in but cash-strapped?
Interested but otherwise occupied?

If you can’t physically make it to MinistryTech for some end-of-the-world reason, you can still take in part of the excitement virtually. We’ll be streaming selected workshops and all keynote sessions during the conference, FREE!

So fire up your smartphone, laptop, or other cool gadget and keep it with you at all times. Nothing is more important than MinistryTech’09. Here are some things to think about:

Wife having a baby? No problem, use headphones. Imagine what an awesome thing it will be for you to be able to say that your newborn’s first geek experience was at age 0.1!
Don’t have enough money to travel? This is free. Mooch some wireless at Panera.
Actually have a job you can’t get away from? This will help you enjoy that more.
Don’t like Colorado? Whatever.
Afraid someone will ask what you’re doing? Don’t worry. They know you’re a geek. Tell them you’re logged on with hundreds of other “smart people” discussing the next generation of Church Integration Networking Social Internet Directory Management Infrastructure Ministry — you know, the ChINSIDIMS — 2.0.
Get lots of [throw in some acronyms here]!
It’s better than trying to follow someone else’s blog that is actually a digest of their tweets which just goes to prove their not really paying attention anyway.

So how do you partake in this virtual goodness?

Register Here so we can make plans to reserve your virtual seat (the soft comfy recliners will go first, oh wait, you choose your own seat..)

So why did I need to steal this? I’m busy with the last minute details of producing the keynotes for MinistryTECH. Make sure you’re there, either in person or online, and give me a holler. I’d love to connect.

Sound for Musicals – Part Two

klonghofer@gmail.com (Kirk Longhofer) — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 01:38:00 +0000

When it comes to casting, please remember to keep sound in mind. A few specific things that will make for a better show.

First, think projection.

Does the actor have a voice BIG enough for the role. You might want to reconsider a lead who has a nice, but tiny voice.

Coach projection throughout the rehearsal process. Make sure the actors are filling the room with their voices, particularly when it comes to dialogue. There’s nothing tougher than pushing the sound system to the point of feedback because the kids are whispering their lines, and then being blown out when they begin to sing!

Not everyone in the cast needs a line. Characters with lines need mics. It sounds bad to have characters with lines off mic, when others are on mic. Lots of characters means lots of mics, mic packs and and pack switches. Don’t make this harder by insisting that every kid who auditions gets some sort of line or solo. There is nothing wrong with having a chorus or ensemble.

That brings us to the topic of equipment. You may be lucky enough to have wireless mics on hand. The question is this. Are they professional grade, quality units. Here’s a rule of thumb. If you paid less than $700.00 per unit for them, they’re probably not adequate. You will have dropouts and problems. Don’t force your sound person to use them! If you do, don’t blame them for the problems!

Also, please understand that mixing and matching wireless units requires more work for your sound person. Coordinating wireless frequencies is not for the faint of heart. It takes time and the right tools to do it. Make sure you plan for this in the budget and production process.

When you get to technical rehearsals (you have scheduled tech rehearsals, right?) don’t forget sound. I like to have a time during a rehearsal to go over mic use with actors. We talk about pack placement, swaps and placement of elements.

Then, plan on a sound check before a run-through. Plan on five minutes for each actor with a mic to allow the sound operator to get things dialed in. In musicals, most sound operators will want to place the mic element over the actors ear, or in the hairline. This technique can sound great, but it requires a bit of time to get equalization set to achieve a natural sound.

During the sound check, I have actors sing a number from the show. We do this a capella. No piano or orchestra. It makes it much easier to get things dialed in. For actors with no musical numbers, I generally provide a printed monologue to keep them from stumbling and stammering, trying to think of what to say.

Sound checks continue through the rehearsal process, and I insist on them prior to every performance, at least for key characters, generally scheduled just prior to the house opening.

Don’t expect that any sound operator or designer will be able to come in an provide flawless sound with just one rehearsal. It just will not happen. You won’t be happy, and the sound person will be frustrated as well.

Remember, the sound person has to hit every entrance, exit and line. That’s not easy! At an absolute minimum the sound person will need three or four rehearsals to get things right.

Like I said, sound for musicals is not easy, but it’s rewarding. I love doing it, at least when I have the right tools and the time to get things right. Hopefully, these tips will help you as you get ready for your next big show!

Sound for Musicals – For Directors

klonghofer@gmail.com (Kirk Longhofer) — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 02:33:00 +0000

One of my favorite things to do in live sound is a musical. I think it’s one of the toughest assignments in all of audio. Getting consistent sound from night to night, dealing with hundreds of cues, wireless issues, and an orchestra is a real challenge!

I fairly regularly do sound for high school shows which I also really enjoy. It can be a challenge, though, working with a drama teacher or even a volunteer director who doesn’t regularly deal with a “real” sound designer.

Here are a few tips for directors that will go a long way toward preventing sound related problems with the show.

The biggest issue I run into is a director who doesn’t work the technical aspects of a show far enough ahead of time. Quality sound for your show takes time. That means time before technical rehearsals, during rehearsals, and before doors open for each show.

Let’s break it all down.

Long before the show moves into technical rehearsal, the sound designer begins work. As soon as casting is complete, and the director has a feel for blocking and set design, I want to see a As soon as possible, the sound guy needs a clean and complete photocopy of the script.

Complete means every single cut, line change or other change you’ve make. Clean means a good copy. Be nice and go ahead and 3 hole punch it for a binder. One page of the script to a page. Don’t use both sides of the paper. We make lots of notes, and highlight, and things will fade through the pages. I like the script flush to the left hand side of the page. That way my notes can go down the right column.

In the alternative, you could scan the script with each page becoming a .jpg image. I have done books in a spreadsheet using this technique. I makes for a very nice book, and it’s great for long runs.

Once your sound designer has the book, he or she will go through the show, line by line and scene by scene. The object of this exercise is to find every sound effect or piece of music needed, and to determine who needs a body mic, and when. As a director, you may be used to doing this yourself. Feel free to give you sound person input and preferences. That’s always helpful. If they’re good, your sound designer will likely be able to show you how to do the show with more efficient, fewer and more appropriate mic pack swaps.

Speaking of swaps, there is nothing wrong with using a wireless unit for multiple characters. But remember this! ONLY the transmitter moves. The microphones stay with the actor. It’s difficult enough to keep the mics in the right places on actors to avoid bad sound without trying to move them around.

In theater mic placement is critical. In a more traditional show, we want to keep the mics as invisible as possible. Mics are often placed over the ear, or in the hairline using elastic loops. Occasionally, they may be concealed in clothing, but this is tough. Mic elements are not draped over the ear and taped in the middle of the cheek.

Wherever the mic is placed, the key is consistency from performance to performance. For that reason, I like using an ear clip rig like the one shown here. Telex makes them, and they are a real help. A piece of heat shrink tube or some tape to mount the mic element, and you simply don’t have to worry about placement issues. They stay in place all night long!

One final note. If you’re using wireless microphones for a musical, then every character who has a line should be amplified. It just doesn’t work to have some actors on a mic, and others without. It’s distracting the the audience, and when the un-mic’d lines come up… it looks like the sound guy made a mistake.

But even with all of your actors on a wireless microphone, don’t make the mistake of thinking the sound system will solve every projection issue! They won’t. We’ll look at what a director needs to remember during casting and rehearsal tomorrow!

Photo by Omega Man

Free (almost) Backgrounds and Loops

klonghofer@gmail.com (Kirk Longhofer) — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 19:39:00 +0000

It’s not Monday… but this one is limited time resource! How about some nearly free loops and animations? Footage Firm is offering looping motion background DVD’s for just $8.41 each. They have 10 collections available, so for $84.10 you can get them all. I’ve glanced over them, and they look fairly usable. They are SD and 4:3, and they include both an .avi and a .mov of each loop. Pretty sweet deal for a Wednesday, but you need to hurry. They say they only have 500 of each disk so you need to order it now!

Monday Resource - ConfineMouse

klonghofer@gmail.com (Kirk Longhofer) — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 14:11:00 +0000

If you’ve ever accidentally wandered off your primary display and had your mouse cursor end up on the display screen (like I have) you’ll appreciate this cool little utility. ‘ConfineMouse’ does just what it says it will do. It keeps the mouse confined to one screen. Best of all, it’s another freebie, thanks to One Hour Software.

Another Legal and Cheap Image Resource

klonghofer@gmail.com (Kirk Longhofer) — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 12:06:00 +0000

We haven’t had a Monday Resource post in quite a while! Sorry about that! I need to get busy, don’t I?

To get us back on track, here’s another option you can turn to when you need great and affordable images for your blog, website, or print projects. Check out out Fotolia. It will remind you of our old friend iStock. Tons of images. Great search capabilities. And it’s pretty cheap.

Remember, legal use of images matters! Ripping off artists, especially in the name of “church” just plain sucks, particularly when it’s pretty easy and very affordable to do the right thing!

PR Firm Needs New PR

klonghofer@gmail.com (Kirk Longhofer) — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 17:47:00 +0000

I’ve always hated the phrase “Public Relations.” I’ve hated it, even though I’ve made a reasonable living at it at times during my career. I’ve always thought it sounds like you’ve gotten caught doing something inappropriate in the parking garage by the Warren Theater in Old Town.

I’ve also said that there are some folks who don’t deserve good public relations counsel. There is conduct for which you deserve to be hammered for engaging in.

The flip side of that is that there are some clients a PR firm should never, ever take represent. That’s my opinion at least.

Clearly, there is at least one firm that disagrees.

HT to Jon at For Your Entertainment.

The Stormy Sea

klonghofer@gmail.com (Kirk Longhofer) — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 19:25:00 +0000

A pretty good friend of mine is struggling right now. Feeling economic pressure, because his work has slowed quite a bit. This is a guy who is every bit of faithful. He wants to be where God wants him to be, and that’s just not very clear to him at the moment. I can relate, in making the transition from full time gainful employment to the “life of leisure” as I’ve taken to calling it.

I rolled through Psalm 107 this morning, and it hit me in the face.

Some of you made a living by sailing the mighty sea, and you saw the miracles the Lord performed there. At his command a storm arose, and waves covered the sea.

You were tossed to the sky and to the ocean depths,
until things looked so bad that you lost your courage. You staggered like drunkards and gave up all hope. You were in serious trouble, but you prayed to the Lord , and he rescued you. He made the storm stop and the sea be quiet.

You were happy because of this, and he brought you to the port where you wanted to go. You should praise the Lord for his love and for the wonderful things he does for all of us.

He’s planning to take me where I want to go. That’s cool. It doesn’t seem to bother him too much that I might lose courage from time to time. He’s still got a handle on it. Hmmm. I like that, a lot!

So, that’s personal. Phil Cooke had some very interesting thoughts on what the economic slowdown means for organizations a short while back.

The short version… a strong brand will survive and can even thrive during a downturn. Keep your head about you and pay attention to the fundamentals. Keep the brand unified, don’t make decisions based on short term conditions if they will have long term impact, and take advantage of the stress to spur real innovation. It’s worth your time to read, right here.

Text Message from Email

klonghofer@gmail.com (Kirk Longhofer) — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 16:59:00 +0000

Here’s a very helpful list! It is possible to send a text message directly from E-mail with most cell phone providers. You just have to have the cell phone number, the provider, and know the addressing schema they use. Here’s a list of most providers!

T-Mobile: phonenumber@tmomail.net
Virgin Mobile: phonenumber@vmobl.com
Cingular: phonenumber@cingularme.com
Sprint: phonenumber@messaging.sprintpcs.com
Verizon: phonenumber@vtext.com
Nextel: phonenumber@messaging.nextel.com US Cellular: phonenumber@email.uscc.net
SunCom: phonenumber@tms.suncom.com
Powertel: phonenumber@ptel.net
AT&T: phonenumber@txt.att.net
AT&T PCS: phonenumber@mobile.att.net
Alltel: phonenumber@message.alltel.com
Metro PCS: phonenumber@MyMetroPcs.com
Rogers Wireless: phonenumber@pcs.rogers.com Bell Atlantic: phonenumber@message.bam.com Cellular One: phonenumber@mobile.celloneusa.com
Comcast: phonenumber@comcastpcs.textmsg.com

Canadian
Telus: phonenumber@msg.telus.com
Bell: phonenumber@txt.bellmobility.ca
Fido: phonenumber@fido.ca
Rogers: phonenumber@pcs.rogers.com *or see website for free

You can also do it from most providers web sites, but it’s usually easier just to shoot out an E-mail. Thanks to David Comtois over on the Church Soundcheck list. This is the kind of helpful stuff that you get every day on that list. If you’re not subscribed, you should be!

C3 Nights LIVE Tonight on Daystar

klonghofer@gmail.com (Kirk Longhofer) — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 22:56:00 +0000

Last year I was sitting in my office on a Thursday evening, at the office WAY too late as usual. I flipped on the TV and it happened to be on the DayStar network. I about fell over backwards when I realized they were showing the evening session from the Creative Church Conference at Fellowship Church in Dallas, and it was live. TD Jakes blew me away. I was so glad to get to be a part of C3, even though I couldn’t be there for the conference!

Tonight, they’re doing it again. Don’t miss C3 Nights at 7:30pm tonight on Daystar. Craig Groeschel is the speaker. I guarantee it will be amazing and worth your time!

A New Day at ChurchTechMatters.com

klonghofer@gmail.com (Kirk Longhofer) — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 05:40:00 +0000

There’s big new this morning from ChurchTechMatters.com. Jim Walton, the founder of CTM, has opened doors to a group of Church Tech folk, all with a mission for supporting churches in their use of technology. I’m excited to be part of this new chapter at CTM, and will be writing and posting there regularly.

Here’s the press release that goes out today!

For Immediate Release -February 17, 2009

All Around the World - Well known church technology site Church Tech Matters, is opening its door wide, adding new writers, a new look, and new community building tools all designed to help the church effectively use technology to reach people for Christ.

CTM was founded in October of 2004 as the weblog of Jim Walton. Over time, the site grew to become a valuable resource for both church staff and volunteers, looking at both technical and non-technical topics. Church Tech Matters has been the generous outflow of Jim's experience, passion and observations as he has served as a volunteer technical leader in 2 churches, as well as a consultant to churches seeking to use technology effectively.

After four years of outreach and growth, Jim has opened the doors of Church Tech Matters, to broaden the site's reach, and increase its effectiveness. Jim is now leading a core team of dedicated, talented and passionate tech volunteers from around the world as they write about their experiences and reach out to an even larger audience.

The site's purpose remains unchanged: To equip the church to effectively use technology to reach people for Christ. What changes is how that purpose will be realized. Church Tech Matters is now a site dedicated to church tech volunteers, written by church tech volunteers, and the people who lead them.
Please join us as we begin this next chapter of the journey Church Tech Matters. New features and resources are on the way, as we seek to build a community for the volunteers who make technology in the church sing. The newest addition to the site is a forum, a place for you to ask questions, answer questions, interact with the Church Tech Matters authors and more.
Jim’s involvement with Church Tech Matters continues, but he has stepped back and let go of the reins, so to speak, to allow this site to become more than it ever has been.

You’re invited to join this experiment, by subscribing via RSS, or via Email. You should also join the site forum at http://forum.churchtechmatters.com/. You can also join the CTM Facebook group, our LinkedIn group (coming soon) or follow us on Twitter @church_tech.

Please join us as we kick off this site for church tech volunteers written by church tech volunteers.

CMS Takes on Church Copyright

klonghofer@gmail.com (Kirk Longhofer) — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 19:29:00 +0000

Church Marketing Sucks is beginning a series of posts on the Church and copyright, and specifically how and when Fair Use applies in the use of media in churches. I’ll be following it closely.

We’ve talked about it before here. I hope these posts turn out to be a valuable resource for a WIDELY misunderstood and misapplied piece of US copyright law.

Walk the Walk

klonghofer@gmail.com (Kirk Longhofer) — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 17:53:00 +0000

Seth Godin has a very interesting post this morning on what it means to be authentic.

Authenticity, for me, is doing what you promise, not "being who you are".

Seth says “being” is amorphous and internal vision is always blurry. What he’s really saying is that what you do will always speak more loudly than what you say. At least it ALWAYS has for me, and generally not to my credit or benefit.

But I’m working on it.

Wireless Microphone and DTV Update

klonghofer@gmail.com (Kirk Longhofer) — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 18:36:00 +0000

Make a note to jump online tomorrow night to attend a TokBox video conference to get the latest information on the DTV transition, the 700 MHz transition, and exactly how all of this will affect your use of wireless microphones and in-ears.

It’s being hosted by Mike Sessler from the Upper Room Community in the Twin Cities, along with Jason Cole and Dave Stangle. You’ll need a TokBox account join in, but they’re free.

Details are right here .

Microphone FAIL

klonghofer@gmail.com (Kirk Longhofer) — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 23:49:00 +0000

This one is actually real, unlike those Stevie Wonder pictures!

HT to John Huntington!

A Muffin with Your Coffee?

klonghofer@gmail.com (Kirk Longhofer) — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 16:44:00 +0000

You guys are generally quite a lot smarter than I am. Does this seem like a good idea?

Starbucks introduced a lineup of breakfast “pairings” Monday in response to “economic pressures facing its customers.”

To sum up the story, Starbucks is creating a “value meal” pairing a coffee drink and a pastry, or oatmeal, and offering it for a discounted price. So, they’re doing what Burger King and McDonalds have been doing for decades.

Here’s my question. Do you really want to kick this off by “pairing” this “value” directly with the stumbling economy?

I’m not sure this is a good idea. Tying your product to negative news? And, is there just a sniff of the exploitive here?

What do you think?

Technology and the Worship Environment

klonghofer@gmail.com (Kirk Longhofer) — Sun, 08 Feb 2009 20:01:00 +0000

An old friend of mine asked me a penetrating question on Facebook a few weeks ago. She’s meditating through the Psalms with her husband and another couple. It’s been transforming in how she experiences worship, on a personal daily level, and in corporate worship.

Her question revolved around the atmosphere of corporate worship. She asked what factors I as a technician take into account regarding the aesthetic and atmosphere of the experience.

Big, big question. Here are a few thoughts.

First, strictly as a technician, I may or may not have much in the way of impact on decisions of style, aesthetic or the vibe of a room. My job is primarily to support. One of my gifts is the ability to contribute artistically to those decisions, but that’s not strictly a technology issue.

Where decisions on style and aesthetic intersect technology, the worship technology folks must have a seat at the table. Questions like “are we capable of executing this concept?” and “do we have the capacity to get this done?” need to be asked, and the worship technology folks are the only ones who can give an accurate answer.

Whatever the worship style... the technology must be transparent. By that, I mean it is not “the show.” It supports. The lights, for example, may be spectacular, but they are there to draw attention to the musician or whatever is the focus of the moment.

Transparent also mean perfect in execution. Glitches draw attention away from moment. Perfect is hard, and it requires tools that are adequate to the task. One thing folks in worship technology struggle with is trying to do too much for too long with too little. It leads to unrealistic expectations, and ultimately to frustration and burnout. Don’t go there!

Technical and creative elements that are supportive are appropriate to the moment. Again, that’s hard. Incredibly hard when you think about it. The right video or background enhances the experience. The wrong one rips people right out of worship. It's huge and hard, because “what might be right for you, might just be wrong for some.” (Cue the theme from Different Strokes!)

Atmosphere, ambiance, mood and tone of the room have incredible potential to raise worship experiences to a new level. Audio, video and lighting are a major consideration in the creation of ambiance and tone, but it begins far earlier than that.

It begins with architecture and interior design. We can worship anywhere... but elements of environment can help us to reach out to God. Think about it. There’s a reason we call them “mountain top experiences.”

I guess what this all means to me, is that using technology in worship is a responsibility. We have to use the tools we’re given wisely, and with good counsel. In the end, we won’t please everyone. With care and planning, though, even those who don’t appreciate a particular style or song, won’t be distracted by technical elements and can still worship effectively.

HD Video Deserves Great Audio, Too!

klonghofer@gmail.com (Kirk Longhofer) — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 13:48:00 +0000

Wired Online had an interesting story a few weeks back on the quality gulf between HD video and the audio that often accompanies it. For the past few years our attention has been focused on delivering stunning video. Audio has lagged behind a bit. That’s changing a bit with a new standard for Blue-ray audio.

It’s a good reminder for all video producers. Audio is often the last thing we’re concerned about when we head out on a shoot. And, just as often, we’re frustrated in post production, dealing with background noise, or filter out hum.

Getting good audio for video isn’t particularly difficult, but it does require some care, and making sure you have the right gear. The microphone on your camera probably won’t cut it.

Getting external audio into your camera is getting easier. Lots of affordable cameras include XLR connectors for microphones these days, and many provide phantom power, as well. If you camera has that feature, you’re in luck.

If not, you’ll want to think about a battery powered mixer. For years, the standard was the Shure FP-24. It’s a two input mixer, powered by AA batteries, but it’s been discontinued by Shure for some strange reason. You can still find them around, both new and used. Shure does have three channel version, but be prepared. It’s real money! Around $1200.00.

Don’t forget about a way to monitor your sound. You should be monitoring your audio all of the time! Invest in some good headphones. They should have pretty good isolation. I’ve used a set of in-ear earphones. I like them particularly on long shoots where traditional headphones give me a headache.

Next on your list should be a good shotgun microphone. What is a shotgun? Simply put, it’s a very narrow pattern cardioid microphone. It’s a microphone that has VERY high off axis rejection of sound. So, you lose a lot of ambient noise, and get more of your subject. What it can NOT do is “reach out” to your subject. So, it’s not that you can expect to be 20 feet from your subject and expect close mic sound. But, you’ll be amazed at what you can do.

I’ve used several, but my favorite in terms of value for performance is probably the Audio Technica AT8035. You can usually find it for about $200 online. You’ll be amazed at how little handling noise you’ll get. I do find it has a little presence peak at 8 or 10K, but it’s not usually a problem. For a slightly smaller and lower cost option you could also look at the Audio Technica AT875R. Along with the shotgun, you may want to consider a fish pole boom and a substantial wind screen. Shotguns definitely pick up the wind.

You’ll also want a lavaliere microphone. Start with a wired one, like the Audio Technica AT803. It’s pretty affordable, and you a great option for interviews and talking heads.

At some point, you’ll want to think about wireless for your field production needs. The pros actually use wireless mics, as well as wireless links between a field mixer and the camera. Lectrosonics makes some great gear if you have the budget!

If you’re look for a lower price point, check out the Mipro MR-90. You can use any of their transmitters with this tiny receiver that’s designed for use with a camcorder. It’s a nice little unit with good audio quality.

The bottom line is that getting good audio for your field video isn’t difficult. With just a little bit of care and planning you can be certain your audio will be right on par with that fantastic HD video you capture.

Stories Define Vision

klonghofer@gmail.com (Kirk Longhofer) — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 16:22:00 +0000

What your “Genesis Stories?” That’s the question today from Mark Batterson over at Evotional.com.

Mark says one of his primary roles as lead pastor at National Community Church is that of Chief Storyteller.

“As the Chief Storyteller, you need to turn past experiences into metaphors for the future. Just as it's God's faithfulness in the past that gives us faith for the future, it is the defining moments in our past that give us vision for the future.”

The power of story applies to all organizations, not just churches. Stories move people to action. They motivate and inspire. Don’t just talk about your organization. Tell the people stories instead.

Crowd Source Equipment Design

klonghofer@gmail.com (Kirk Longhofer) — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 00:22:00 +0000

There’s a very interesting discussion going on over at Church Soundcheck these days. A couple of folks were wishing out loud for some additional features on personal monitor mixers. That led to a discussion of Hearback vs. Aviom systems.

Then, the discussion took an interesting turn.

Someone suggested that the group put its collective head together and come up with a feature list that a manufacturer might use to come up with the “ultimate” personal monitor system. Crowdsourced design. The discussion has been going on for a couple of days, and so far the list of requested features is pretty cool.

Can you imaging how much a manufacturer would have to pay to tap the expertise and experience of the hundreds of church audio guys on the CSC list? I hope the manufacturers are listening.

You can get in on the discussion at ChurchSoundCheck.com.