The Maestro Echoplex EP-1 Tube Tape Echo. A great sounding and somewhat portable early delay unit.
WHERE SHOULD I START?
should not make it trickier to understand what vocalists like having a more polished and effect-
words are being sung. The delay should also laden in-ear or monitor mix, others prefer a dry
When adding in delay to your live worship be added in just enough to bring added ‘space’ mix — have a chat with your team and include
mix, I find that starting with backing vocals and ‘depth’ to the mix to be noticed as you are them in your learning exercise. Once you are
is probably the safest place to start. It also focusing on them, but not so blatantly obvious comfy with delay on background vocals, move
is easier and a bit more sonically forgiving to that the congregation thinks the vocalists have to main vocals, snare and keys with the same
adjust delay settings on slow to medium tempo suddenly fallen into a well. The rule of thumb is careful and measured approach.
songs rather than up-tempo and busier tunes. that you should miss the effect more when it is Once you’ve played with the delay settings in gone than you should notice it when it is initially Good luck out there trying out different
your DAW and with ‘virtual soundcheck’ tracks added in. Subtlety is the key. applications of delay in your mix — it isn’t just
on your mixing console in the sanctuary on
guitarists who get to have all of the fun!
your own and feel you have a good handle on Don’t surprise folks with delay in their monitor
things, get a delay ready to go for a mid-tempo mix if they haven’t had a chance to rehearse
worship song with backing vocals. with it in place first. On most mixing consoles,
it is possible to have the effects levels assigned
Keep in mind that the intelligibility of the lyrics is differently between the audience (‘front of
always your top priority, so as you add delay it house’) mix and the monitor mix. Some
March 2020
Jeff Hawley
A 20-year music industry veteran—equally at ease
behind the console, playing bass guitar, leading
marketing teams or designing award-winning audio
products. He currently heads up the marketing for
Allen & Heath in the US.
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