Clicky

How To Install A Church Sound System – Viral Believer
Skip to content

How To Install A Church Sound System

How to Install a Church Sound System

The type of production and location will determine the equipment and setup. Live sound requirements for church services or rock concerts are different. But microphones, audio mixers, and monitors are essential components of any sound system.

Choose the right microphones for your church.

You will need at least one microphone, whether setting up a sound system to support a concert or small group in a park or for a public speaking engagement in a bookshop or church.

A dynamic microphone is best for music performances. It can provide high sound pressure levels. High SPL levels help to minimize transient sounds and pops caused by movement on the stage.

There will be a lot of cabling across your stage, from the mic and speaker cables. Most sound engineers use stage snakes to help reduce clutter. The stage box or stage snake is a small box with several cables that connect mics to the mixer. 

The microphones are connected directly to the stage box, while the stage box connects to the mic input of the audio mixer.

A stage box may not be necessary if you have a small setup. You can connect mics to the mixer directly if you have only a few microphones.

There is also the option to connect amplifier mics directly from instruments to speakers. This option is ideal for solo artists with one instrument. It allows you to quickly set up your sound system in a small space without additional gear. You won’t be able to adjust the sound through a mixer and send it to the speaker.

Find the right mixer for your sound system.

An audio mixer with multiple inputs connects the microphones to it. The inputs usually have microphone pre-amplifiers. These pre-amps increase the signal strength from the mics.

The most important thing is the number of inputs and channels available to you when choosing an audio mixer. At least one channel should be available for each performer or instrument, and at most one input for each microphone.

A typical drum kit may require eight to twelve microphones. These mics don’t need to be connected to twelve channels. Stage boxes are also an option. You can connect multiple microphones to the stage box before sending them to one input on your mixer.

You should also consider the number and EQ settings of the outputs, effects, and inputs. Mixers usually include an output for your main speakers. If you intend to connect additional speakers or monitors, at least two outputs are required.

You may need to adjust the sound quality delivered through the speakers’ speakers by changing the EQ settings or effects. You may need to adjust settings depending on where you are to adjust the reverb and create a particular sound.

Digital mixers have more effects and equalizer settings. You can also recall your settings to save time when setting up your sound system for other performances, worship teams, and leaders.

Connect your speakers and monitors

An audio mixer must send sound somewhere. The mixer can be connected to recording equipment in a studio. For a live sound system, however, the mixer will typically be connected to speakers and monitors at the front of the house (FOH).

Power amplifiers may be required for speakers. The best audio mixers have power amplifiers that help reduce the gear on the stage. Active speakers can also be used to replace power amplifiers.

You can choose between passive and active speakers. Passive speakers need amplification and additional cables to connect all the components. The amplifiers in active speakers are built-in, so you only need to connect it to the speaker.

It is easy to connect the speakers. The cables run from the mixer’s outputs to the speakers’ inputs. The cables will also run from the amplifier to the speaker if you have a separate power amp. You may need to adjust the levels or consider where the cables should be placed.

You may have monitors that allow performers to hear themselves through the loudspeakers. These monitors are usually connected to the mixer via the auxiliary inputs.

Your sound system is complete once you have connected your speakers. Connect the mics to either a stage box or directly to your mixer. The mixer can then be connected to a power amplifier or an equalizer. You will still need to adjust the settings and test the sound.

Planning is key to setting up a sound system.

It isn’t always simple to set up a professional sound system. You need to consider the church’s size, number of performers, and type of performance. You need to assess your needs for each event.

First, you need to think about the choice of microphones. Each member of a band will likely need a microphone for a performance. Some instruments may even require multiple mics. Lapel microphones are more suitable for public speaking, theatre, church services, and other situations such as public speaking.

A mixer is required to connect the microphones. You can adjust the sound from each microphone to modify the sound being delivered to the speakers or monitors. Stage boxes are also needed to connect the equipment without cluttering the stage.

The mixer can be connected directly to your speakers if you have active speakers. An amplifier can be added to passive speakers if the mixer is connected directly to the speakers.

Once you have all the equipment connected, it is time to start sounding checks. Spending several hours setting up the equipment is possible, especially for beginners. Make sure you have enough time to test your connections before each event.

We hope you found this article helpful in setting up a sound system for your church.

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.