FRONT OF HOUSE
THE UNIQUELY INDIVIDUAL ASPECT OF SOUND | Kent Morris
Sound is what happens when air gets pushed . This simple explanation of the undulations of sonic waves in a medium ( typically air ) via repeating compression and rarefaction cycles sums up nicely the process we understand as sound . But sound for whom ? Each of us as humans is encased in a physical body with variances , non-linearities , damages , and expectations unique to us individually . It may seem odd , but the truth is we only comprehend sound as we have experienced it . We can never hear what someone else hears because our memory , along with our ear and brain combination , is unique .
We may all “ hear ” a trumpet being played , but someone with no brass background will define the sound as “ generic trumpet ” while another person with years of trumpet study will immediately recognize the signature timbre of a B & S 3137 Challenger II and may even be able to discern the Schilke 150 mouthpiece in use . Reverse the roles of sound generation and the “ generic trumpet ” person can hear the revving of a car engine as a 383 Stroker with its increased piston speed and long-volume stroke instantly recognizable while the trumpet player hears “ car engine .” Hearing comes down to experience and experience varies widely across the population .
In church audio then , it is imperative we as mix engineers resist the tendency to mix to our desires , or the desires of the musically advanced , and instead mix for general comprehension . It matters little how amazing the bottom snare mic sounds if the vocals are awash in effects that are at odds with clarity . Recently , a multiple Grammy winning mix engineer taught a class and explained , “ We can only understand three or four elements in a mix simultaneously , so make the four most important sounds stand out . Give the mix a clarity of purpose .” His words ring true . So often we find ourselves mired in a war of details and miss the big picture .
To achieve this noble goal , start the mix process with the lead vocal front and center and then build around it . Bring the snare forward until it resides as the centerpiece of rhythm and then move to bass guitar to establish the foundation along with the kick drum . The bass guitar and kick are two aspects of the same signal . Together they create the “ pocket ” which ties the low-end into a single sound . One option is to let the kick have the extremely low frequencies and then give the bass the area between 100Hz and 300Hz and then add snap to the kick up around 3KHz .
Next , add in electric and acoustic guitars in a complementary manner with one focused on bright and shiny and the other on rich and warm . After finding the mix usable , now add the toms , overheads , keys and pads in an ever evolving give-and-take of level and timbre . Do not allow them to occupy the same sonic space as the primary signals , but bring them in when there is room , such as the end of a phrase and
during the breakdown .
Keep the “ toys ” and effects to a minimum . Yes , they add a nice polish , but they can easily overwhelm a mix due to their obvious nature . Effects always detract from clarity . Allow the mix to remain slightly sparse as a venue enhancing technique . Remember , the room always adds its signature to any mix , so build accordingly . If the room has a prominent 160Hz hang , simply carve out that energy in the DSP which will opt it out the system response when the room wants to have its say . The result will be an improvement on anything else you can do at that point . Whatever the room wants to do , it will do simply because it can . No one ever beats the room .
Above all , listen to the people in the room . Respond positively to what engages them . If they disengage when the kick gets loud , keep it down . If they aren ’ t attuned to wailing guitars , tuck them down in the mix . The key element is we aren ’ t there to impress fellow gearheads with our mix ; we are there to engage the congregation in worship .
Kent Morris Kent Morris is a 45-year veteran of the AVL arena driven by passion for excellence tempered by the knowledge all technology is in a temporal state .
92 February 2025 Subscribe for Free ...