FRONT OF HOUSE
PANIC AT THE CONSOLE | Kent Morris
It always works the same way. You prepare for a plan of action bypassing the switcher and Add Bluetooth to any audio system with the
an event, setting up hours in advance and test connecting directly to the video displays when handy Hosa IBT-300 or the more professional
each section twice. Everything is ready to roll the switcher goes down. In audio, it may be Horizon/Rapco BTI-BLOX.
and then five minutes before the event begins, more effective to purchase two 16-channel something goes wrong. It could be a wireless stage boxes instead of one 32-channel model 4. STAY OFF THE INTERNET.
mic, a video projector or a lighting console, since the failure of one box still allows for audio Windows loves to force an update just before a
but something that was working fine for the to pass through the second, though some service begins, so keep anything connectable
past five hours decides now is a good time to secondary inputs will be lost. off-line, expect to periodically check for
die. How does an inanimate object know the updates when nothing is happening. If it’s not
service is about to start? While the answer connected, it can’t cause as much trouble.
to this question is elusive, the fact remains it
happens and so, we must be prepared. Here
Keep extra
Make certain the wireless portion is disabled
as well and never update anything before an
are some ways to do it: batteries, gaff 1. THE SINGLE PATH IS THE DEADLY PATH. tape and last 5. TEST THE NEXT NEEDED ITEM BEFORE IT IS
minute essentials pastor is next to speak, cue the pastor’s mic
Any part of the signal chain with a single point
of failure will be where the failure occurs.
Usually, a cable is at fault since interconnects
tend to absorb the most punishment from
twisting and flexing. Having spare DMX, HDMI,
IEC, PowerCon and XLR cables at hand makes
sense and is a cost-effective way to prevent
a technical disaster. Avoid couplers and
extenders when possible, as they add two fail
points to the link. Finally, consider purchasing
only mid-grade and higher quality cables as
putting an $8 cable on an $800 guitar is false
economy.
2. AFTER CABLING, THE NEXT MOST LIKELY SUSPECT
handy and have
someone in the
booth or on-
event.
NEEDED. If a song is nearing its end and the
in the headphones and listen with one ear to
be sure signal is passing. This step gives you
an extra minute to solve a problem if one
arises. Keep extra batteries, gaff tape and last
minute essentials handy and have someone in
the booth or on-stage available to spring into
stage available to
spring into action
when necessary.
WILL BE A TRANSITIONAL DEVICE, such as a video
action when necessary.
6. REMEMBER, THIS ISN’T A LIFE OR DEATH
SITUATION. Providing tech for worship is a vital
part of a service, but it is subject to the frailties of
humans. As we used to say on the road, “How
do you know it’s a good gig? Nobody died.” As
important as each service is, its success does
scaler or balun, a DMX router or a stage box.
not depend on us. We are fallible and as such,
Typically, they fail quickly and without linear 3. USE MULTIPLE APPLICATION BOXES. will make mistakes, miss cues and sometimes
degradation; that is, they are working and then These handy devices, such as the Decimator mess things up. God knows the end from the
they stop. Depending on the cost of the item, MD-LX for video conversion and its big beginning, so prepare to the best of your ability
redundancy may or may not be advisable. brother, the MD-HX that adds scaling, can and do the best you can for Him.
A DMX splitter and a video balun usually run solve video problems quickly and efficiently. In less than $200 each, so having a back up is audio world, the Whirlwind Q-Box is a lifesaver possible. A video switcher, on the other hand, because it allows one person to line check is expensive, so the best option is to devise and test connections without an assistant.
164
September 2019
Kent Morris
Kent is a 40-year veteran of the AVL arena driven by
passion for excellence tempered by the knowledge
digital is a temporary state.
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