FRONT OF HOUSE
WHO KNEW? | Kent Morris
One thing I have learned from decades of
the worship tech arts:
hear as others do. Some people have acute
teaching pro audio, video and lighting courses
hearing loss while others have acute hearing
is: no one knows it all. The true giants in our 1. IT’S AUDIO, SO KNOW HOW TO WIRE CABLES and sensitivity. What seems reasonable to one is
field; legends like Robert Scovill, Craig Janssen, remember inputs are female and outputs are unreasonable to another. While we cannot mix
Bill Thrasher and Dave Gunness don’t know all male. Lighting is a different world, but this is for all these variables, we can mix aware of our
there is to know, even within their respective sound and it came first. God said, “Let there be own deficiencies. Get your hearing checked
disciplines. So, for those of us a little lower light” because sound was already working. For regularly at an ENT office. We use calibrated
on the knowledge ladder, it is imperative we an XLR connector used in an audio application, mics, let’s also use calibrated ears. Know
muster and maintain a spirit of teach-ability. It please wire Pin 1 to shield, Pin 2 to Hot and where you have peaks and dips in your hearing
is interesting how many of us have gaps in our Pin 3 to Cold. This format has been settled response and which ear is more sensitive and
understanding. Perhaps the gaps are inherent in for many years, yet, a simple mis-wire at this use that knowledge to build a mix inverse to
a field where, until recently, there were no formal stage can wreak serious havoc on a sound your non-linearity.
degrees offered. Excellent bachelor programs system. Don’t lift Pin 1 on an unmarked cable. now exist, but the real world also teaches well. It is better to build out a few designated short 3. POWER IS SERIOUS BUSINESS. Most of our work
In fact, what seems obvious to a new graduate jumpers noted as Pin 1 lift or Pin 2 / 3 swap and is low voltage, but moving air requires real AC
may stump a veteran if it happens to be a leave the long cables as they were meant to be. power, so learn the basics of electricity and
new technology implementation. Conversely,
standard connectivity in electrical systems.
something a seasoned tech can do in their sleep 2. Perceived While we always defer to certified electricians,
may baffle a fresh tech, so here are some ideas volume is a trouble spot for many of us, it is good practice to know how power should
for us all to consider as we journey together in due, to some extent, to the fact we don’t be wired so you can double check the work
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FLETCHER-MUNSON
June 2019
MATTERS.
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