FRONT OF HOUSE
I DIDN ’ T SEE THAT ONE COMING | Kent Morris
Photo by Sebbi Strauch on Unsplash
Somewhere in the universe , there is a solid reason for this to occur . The input worked perfectly at rehearsal , and then again ten minutes before service during the “ let ’ s test it one more time ” phase . As soon at the service starts , though , it doesn ’ t work . There is no logical explanation , no change in configuration and no reversing of the universal laws governing electron movement . It just doesn ’ t work . Chaos ensues and texts are sent . Looks of disgust are exchanged and impolite words are spoken . And then , for no good reason , the input works again . Why ?
Sunday mornings are replete with scenes like the one described here . Media and production devices follow the rules of nature until they need to follow them , and then they go rogue . While most run-of-show errors are due to humans , most show stoppage is due to gear . Either a console goes down , an amp dies , or a speaker burns out . If we look at the lifespan of a product , it follows a bathtub curve , meaning factory induced failures happen when the item is new , then go through a dearth of problems until near the projected End Of Life ( EOL ) phase when components wear down and cause overall product failure . For electronics meant for professional use , the timeline should be ten years of more . For loudspeakers , assuming no catastrophic damage is induced , fifteen years is a reasonable lifespan . Microphones can last decades if treated decently and cleaned semiregularly . But all gear dies eventually and usually does so during a critical moment .
While no one can predict when a product will fail , preventive maintenance and observation can mitigate the worst of the problem . Amplifiers must cool themselves or risk burning up components and thus employ forced air cooling driven by fans . With more air running through the amp , more dust collects and covers the circuit boards . This debris acts as an insulator and drives up the ambient temperature which eventually leads to premature failure . By cleaning out the circuit boards via compressed air , the amp can operate longer and cooler . Likewise , simply racking gear up with space in between units will allow air to circulate and prevent metal-to-metal conductance of heat . Loudspeakers should have limiters placed between them and their associated amplifiers with special attention given to protecting high frequency driver diaphragms . Microphones should have their grilles removed and parts cleaned with Micro-Phome which is a safe but effective cleaner .
Eventually , though , every product will die . For loudspeakers , having a spare diaphragm or two on hand is essential . It is wise stewardship to have a replacement woofer on the shelf as well . It can be a reconed model to save money . Keeping an old analog crossover around is smart as well in case the DSP DriveRack dies .
Having a spare fader or bank of faders for the FOH console on the shelf and ready to go is simply wise .
One of the best ideas is to stress test the system before a big event . On the Monday before Palm Sunday , when no one else is in the room , run the audio system wide open , listening for rattling cones , fatigued diaphragms , popping mics and amplifiers running into protect mode . Test the console with every input operating at maximum level , quickly select layers and see if any faders do the dance-of-death . Walk through all the components at full-tilt-boogie to find the weak links and then replace them before they are needed . Go to the circuit breaker panel and gently push on all breakers associated with the sound system while it is in full level test mode to see if any breakers trip and then have an electrician check the panel .
We cannot stop the inevitable failure of gear , but we can prevent its unnaturally early demise by performing preventive maintenance and stress testing the system in advance of a big event . In the end , it ’ s just electrons moving about , but for us in worship , they are vital to our task of spreading the Good News .
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 .
94 March 2025 Subscribe for Free ...