AVS Summary of Duties for Volunteers

Download Copy Here

SUNDAYS:

On most Sunday mornings, duties during services include; recording, mixing, monitoring of wireless microphones, and flexibility with mic’ing special events.

SATURDAY EVENINGS:

Saturday evening services are very dependant on AVS. Unlike other services, Saturday evenings rely on recorded music and projected words. Duties include; setup of equipment, mixing, operating visual and audio software, and takedown of equipment. See the Checklist for Saturday Worship for specifics.

SATURDAY MORNINGS & SPECIAL SERVICES:

Similar to Sunday mornings, special services include memorials, weddings, and Vespers. For these services you would be called in to help in any special aspect. Duties will vary based on the requests of the staff or other organizers. Hopefully you will be able to record, mix, monitor wireless mics, connect mics for special purposes, and play recordings.

RECORDING:

Recording of a service is a standard task for Sunday mornings and is usually done during the service with the most activity; 10am because of the choir, both Easter Sunday services, or if there is a soloist or other special music. Recording can only be done in the sanctuary.

How To Record: turn on CD recorder and load a blank CD into the tray. Once loading is complete, press the record button. When ready to start recording, press play. After the service ends, press stop and then finalize the CD. Always make sure you have clearly labeled the CD with the date and time of service.

Editing and copying of CDs is completed using the computer and usually we allow for one week to produce the CDs.

MIXING:

Audio mixing is usually simple on Sundays. Normally the most you will be needed for is to mute and un-mute a channel (microphone input.) Sometimes, it may become necessary to change the volume of an individual mic because the person’s speaking voice is too loud or soft. Pay attention to the different people involved in worship and you’ll quickly learn how to adjust levels before the person begins talking.

One important note to remember when mixing; the more microphones open (or un-muted) the more likely you are to have feedback. Having multiple mics open at the same time may be unavoidable and if feedback becomes an issue, you can reduce the problem by turning down the output to the chancel monitors. Feedback is an audio loop caused by having the sound from a speaker fed back into an open mic. This normally happens when too much sound is being produced by the monitors in the chancel or the microphones are placed too far into the sanctuary.

MONITORING WIRELESS MICROPHONES:

This task falls alongside mixing. Sunday mornings, wireless lapel mics are used by worship leaders and, similar to the caution I wrote about in mixing, they can cause feedback very easily.

You will need to check needed wireless mics for batteries and other operation issues. And also make sure the main worship leader is setup correctly with their mic. Make sure mics are on and that you are getting signal, and that the mutes are active on the mixer.

Only un-mute the mics when necessary, and be careful or their use around other mics. Using two open mics in a close area can also lead to feedback.

PLAYBACK OF RECORDINGS:

During some special services, you may be asked to play CDs or other recordings through the sound system. We are equipped to play music from CD or cassette and ready to play from an iPod or other MP3 device. You should always play the entire recording to make sure there will be no playback issues; scratched CD or worn tape. And check with the person making the request to confirm volume.

EXTRA MICROPHONES:

In the chancel are several hardwired locations to connect microphones or other audio inputs. You may be asked to mic a soloist or a singing group. Or you could need to input into the sound system a guitar pickup. I’ve even needed to mic a harp! We have several mic cables and other special wires. Several wired mics. Two wireless handheld mics. And a couple different stand configurations. Usually, someone will ask beforehand for a mic for a specific task. But sometimes you will need to identify issues, like with soloists. Routinely, soloists do not ask for mics, either because they don’t think they need one or because they don’t know they can have one. So we identify the soloist beforehand using the bulletin and provide them with the easiest solution, usually a wireless mic on a stand. Make sure they know that you will be in the balcony, muting and un-muting when needed. Often they can be unsure about using a mic when they aren’t aware someone else is controlling it.