In order to understand what goes into putting together a good sound and video performance for your place of worship, it’s important to understand what you may need for your specific venue. Let’s go through some of the most used audio & video equipment for places of worship and their definitions
Audio Equipment you may need:
- Mixer – Used to equalize or control the output of each instrument or microphone.
- Amplifier – This powers speakers that do not have power, can also have some form of equalization and control for output.
- Microphone – Turns your voice into electrical impulses which are then sent to the mixer and then to the speaker or output of your choice.
- Loud Speakers – Converts the electrical impulses from the mixer into sound, typically trying to achieve a louder version of what is already going through the equipment.
- PA/Speaker Cable – A larger cable than a mic cable, used to transfer power from the amplifier to the speakers, or from one speaker to another.
- Recording Device – Can record your audio onto your computer using software, or directly onto the device.
- Playback Device – Can playback your recordings or any other sounds, typically connected to the mixer and used to play prerecorded information.
- Microphone Cables – Connects from your microphone to the Mixer, Amplifier, Loudspeaker, or Recording Device.
- Midi Cables – Some instruments require a Midi format cable, this cable transfers data and then converted into sound through the output device
- RCA Cables – A Stereo format typically a red and white head represent Left and Right
- Firewire Cables– A High-Speed technology that allows data to be exchanged, faster than USB 2.0
- Thunderbolt Cables– Allows information to be transferred to information processors or computers
Common Questions about Audio Equipment:
How to connect microphones and instruments to loudspeakers?
Flow Chart: Microphone/Instrument-> Mic/Instrument Cable -> Preamp/Mixer -> PA/Speaker Cable -> Loudspeaker
How to connect recording device or playback device?
- Microphone/Instrument->Mic/Instrument Cables-> PreAmp/Mixer-> FireWire/Thunderbolt/USB/Mic/Instrument Cable -> Computer/Recording Device.
- PlayBack Device/computer -> Mic/Instrument/RCA Cables -> PreAmp/Mixer ->PA/Speaker Cable -> Loudspeaker
*The instruments, microphones, amplifiers, & recording equipment are connected via the appropriate cables to the mixer.
Sony PXW X180
Video Equipment and other things you may need:
- Camera – A Photo camera takes pictures of whatever is viewed through the lens. Images make for good presentations, backgrounds, and bringing people together.
- Camcorder – Video recording hardware that takes continuous frames per second pictures in order to achieve what looks like real-time video on stage being projected onto a projector or monitor.
- Projector – Projects images onto flat surfaces in order to playback any video recording information coming from prerecorded data, or even live data.
- Monitor – Much like a projector images are displayed on flat surfaces but instead of being projected there is actually LED lights representing every pixel.
- Playback Hardware – Plays videos and presentations that were pre-recorded
- Video or Projector Mount – A mount for your projector can keep your projector at proper level to avoid stretching or disturbances from people walking in front of the projector.
- Video Accessories – From a Remote control to cables, anything required to help the functions of your playback device, video device, or even projector. HDMI, RCA, Component, Speaker Cable, VGA, and optical are just some of the possible accessory cables for Video Recording.
- Computer – Computers are used to create presentations, editing videos, mix audio, record and display audiovisual components on projectors or loudspeakers.
*Other options to consider are routers and switchers, live internet streaming devices, DVD recording and duplication.
Flowcharts and Setting up your Video Equipment:
Computer to Two Screens Flowchart:
Computer -> Splitter -> 2 Projectors -> Polarized Filter (Optional) -> Flat Surface or Screen
Camera Flowchart:
Camera ->Firewire/Thunderbolt/USB/MicroUSB ->Laptop with proper software
Recording Video from Mixer Flowchart:
Mixer RCA/Headphone jack/Instrument cable output ->RCA/Instrument cable/Headphone jack ->Adapter that takes the RCA, Headphone Jack, and Instrument Cable into the proper Output form (Usually RCA, Instrument, or Headphone).
List of Common Musical Instruments:
- Keyboard/Piano/organ
- Acoustic/Electric Guitar
- Percussion Instruments
- Woodwinds
- String Instruments
- Brass Instruments
So What Should Your Place of Worship Use for Your AV Needs?
Although we can give general information on how everything works in this space, for more specific details its best to talk to one of our specialists in our integrations team. Our highly trained staff can give you product specific recommendations depending on the size and scope of your place of worship. Often times it is more advantageous and cost effective to rent this equipment, we can help you make that decision as well.
Call us today at – 305-669-1117