Clicky

Church Sound System Troubleshooting Tips – Viral Believer
Skip to content

Church Sound System Troubleshooting Tips

Troubleshooting A Church Sound System

What are the best ways to troubleshoot a church audio system? If you hear a hum or echo, there is likely a problem. You may need to take several steps depending on what sound you hear.

This article will give you some tips for troubleshooting your church’s sound system.

Ground loops can often cause hums. Feedback is caused when the microphone picks up sound sent to the mixer. Echoes are usually caused by sound waves hitting the walls. Once you have identified the problem, you can begin to look for possible solutions.

What causes the hum in a Church Sound System’s sound system?

Ground loops are the most common reason for a humming sound coming from your loudspeakers. When two devices are connected to a ground circuit and connected through a mixer, this is what happens. This causes a noticeable hum because the current flows in both directions.

You must identify the devices that are causing the ground loop to correct it. You can adjust the volume to 75% for all channels. The volume can be adjusted until the hum is gone.

Once you have identified the device, locate where it is plugged into. It is most likely causing the hum if it uses a different grounded outlet than your other devices. To eliminate the problem, simply use the same socket you used for your other equipment.

A speaker unable to handle the power from the output may also cause the hum. If the problem persists, you can try to lower the output level.

Hum can also be heard as a buzz or hiss. An audio cable used to connect an amplifier to an instrument can cause buzzing sounds.

Audio cables that are intended for loudspeakers will be unshielded. Instrument cables will be shielded. An unshielded cable can cause this.

Mismatched output and input levels can often cause a hissing sound. You might hear a hiss if the output level is very low and the input signal is too high. Instead of turning down the output, you can turn down the pre-amp signal and attempt to balance the levels.

What causes feedback from the Church Sound System to occur?

A different type of loop can cause feedback. It is not a ground loop but a looped signal.

Your microphone picks up sound and sends it to the soundboard. The soundboard amplifies the signal and then sends it to the speakers. The feedback loop is created when the microphone picks up its own output.

To solve the feedback loop, you may need to use several methods. Reposition the microphone and speaker that are responsible for the feedback loop. Make sure that the speaker is facing the audience. Also, ensure the microphone is in a neutral position.

Sometimes, you may need to switch out the microphone. Switching to a microphone with a cardioid pickup is good if you have an omnidirectional microphone. Instead of picking up sound in all directions, the microphone only picks up sound from the performer/instrument.

These options may not resolve your problem. You can lower the speaker output to ensure the microphone doesn’t pick up the feedback. You can also lower the frequency of feedback.

You can also connect a Feedback Reducer/Eliminator to your system if all else fails. These devices listen to the sound and adjust the levels to reduce or eliminate feedback.

What causes an echo in a church sound system?

Echoes can be caused by sound waves hitting surfaces such as ceilings, walls, or floors and bouncing around the room. These surfaces reflect sound waves, creating annoying echoes.

There are many ways to get rid of echoes.

First, check the speaker’s position. The echo could be caused by the speakers pointing at ceilings or walls. Make sure they point at the church members and not the walls.

Reverb should not be added to the live sound via your mixer. Some performances might sound better with some reverberation. However, these settings can increase the echoes.

Adjusting the equalizer settings to specific frequencies is a temporary solution. By adjusting the frequencies, you may discover that one frequency is echoing more than the others. To reduce the echos, you can lower this frequency.

These solutions may not be effective. If they fail, dampening the sound is an option. You can stop sound from bouncing off walls by covering them with curtains, sound-dampening insulation, and padded panels.

You may not be able to soundproof your entire church, but you can cover specific areas to reduce echoes.

Conclusion: Sound System Troubleshooting Tips

Sound systems can often produce hums, buzzes, and hisses. To troubleshoot these problems, it is important to identify the source. 

A ground loop is caused by two devices that use different grounded outlets and have different levels of electricity. This can cause hum. You should not use separate outlets. Instead, use the same socket.

Feedback is caused by the microphone picking up its sound. Reposition the microphone and speaker. Adjust the volume of the speaker and mic, or use a microphone that has a cardioid pickup.

Echoes can be caused by sound hitting walls and bouncing around, so you hear the sound multiple times. Ensure your speakers are not pointed at ceilings or walls to eliminate echoes. Sound-dampening materials can be used to stop sound from bouncing off walls.

Sources

Pastor Duke Taber
Pastor Duke Taber

Pastor Duke Taber

All articles have been written or reviewed by Pastor Duke Taber.
Pastor Duke Taber is an alumnus of Life Pacific University and Multnomah Biblical Seminary.
He has been in pastoral ministry since 1988.
Today he is the owner and managing editor of 3 successful Christian websites that support missionaries around the world.
He is currently starting a brand new church in Mesquite NV called Mesquite Worship Center, a Non-Denominational Spirit Filled Christian church in Mesquite Nevada.