Question:
In our church, we have a pretty typical praise team setup, and a sound team.
So, the praise team is doing it's job very well, but the sound guys are alittle, umm.. lazy?... I know the situation in both because I can't exactly make sure I'm arriving 100% to each service (We don't have a car, so I join people who go there if they have place in the car), so I join up sometimes with the sound guys, and sometimes with the praise team when I arrive.
The sound team's attitude goes in doing everything basic, and not beyond that. I mean, for example, their attitude towards the background singers is:
"Were setting you all on the same level on the monitor, if you wanna do something about the volume, just sing very loud into the mike, we won't turn you up anyway"...
And what about the more soft voiced ones?
Besides that, they tend to do terrible mix settings in the monitors or/and in the main mix. You usually can't hear the guitar in the monitors, and after you try to explain to them, they just say "Oh.. Well it isn't THAT bad is it?", or act in such way.
Lowering the guitar to 0 level is also a kind of thing they like to do..
So I wonder how should I go about it?
My fear is that they won't take this too seriously or maybe dislike me after I talk with them about such things.. (I'm only 16).
But it bothers me too much that they aren't serious at all..
Answer:
My advice to you is to bring this up to your worship leader. He/she should be the one to address the problem about the sound mixes. Monitors are crucial if you're running electric instruments, and they make a world of difference for vocals. You can't really play confidantly if you can't hear yourself. Your worship leader should be able to fix your monitor issue. If you are the worship leader and still feel uncomfortable about addressing the sound guys, I would bring your issues to the pastor of the church.
As Christians, we shouldn't be satisfied with ok. We should strive for excellence at all we do. Recently, due to the main mix at one of the services I'm a part of in Iraq, we had one person actually leave the service, and two more complain (we've now fixed the issue, I'm running sound checks) about the sound volume. So the mix is important for setting a worshipful atmosphere.
My last bit of advice, address these problems with love. People tend to respond better to criticism given with love instead of frustration. And, that's what JC would do. Hope this helps.
-Joe
Answer:
I agree with UMT Gunner 100%. This matter should be directed to the worship leader. That said, read Malachi (go to Matthew and turn left). See what God has to say about half-hearted service, offerings, and attitude. I do think it is not a good idea to just let it go. Such attitudes are not what God would have us do.
Answer:
Gunner couldn't have said it better. Don't be afraid to ask the sound people for some changes in the monitor mix. If they still don't change anything, talk to and explain what's going on to your youth pastor or leader and ask him to sit in a on a practice and see how the sound people respond to your requests. I know that sounds kinda harsh, but that will truly show how their (sound people) hearts are towards the sound ministry. That's the only thing that I would add to what Gunner said. God Bless. (don't forget to PRAY PRAY PRAY)