If you’re a sports fan, one scenario that can be fun to discuss is, “If you were starting a new [insert sport] team, who would be the first player on your roster?”

In other words, what would be the most critical piece of the team or system that you would build the rest around? In audio, this happens sometimes even without knowing it. You might be starting a building project, or be getting ready for some upgrades or remodeling, etc. Soon you start surfing the net, looking at catalogs, reading reviews, putting together the new dream sound system. Then, the reality of the budget sets in, and you start making cuts. What’s the one thing that you determine you are set on and will build the rest of the audio system around?

If a bass guitar, snare drum, or singer is overpowering your mix, your first thought might be to add a compressor to that channel. This will of course turn down those loud moments when the musician gets inspired or blessed or just flat out stops trying to blend with the rest of the group.

A compressor, though, can also be used to increase volume when used correctly. Because a compressor decreases the range between the loudest and softest points (the dynamic range), it will then allow you to turn up the entire channel and increase the average volume for that input. Remember though, that a compressor is working best when you cannot hear it!

I love electronic gadgets! I have always had pocket pc phones, gps units, and I love my iPhone. My wife, however, always buys these kitchen gadgets. The irony in that is that I’m the one that cooks (and she cleans- it’s a good system).

Too often, the magic slicing and dicing gadget that costs as much as eating dinner out, is a disappointment to me. I’m no master chef. I’m not above being lazy sometimes. The honest truth is though, that most of the time, a good trusty knife does just as good and usually a much better job than the newest gadget. So what if the gadget is quicker if you are not happy with the results? Also, gadgets tend to be a pain to clean up!

So, you’re wondering what this has to do with your Sunday audio set up, aren’t you? Well, read on…

Today I got to help my father since he volunteers his time running sound at his church. The first service was straight forward- piano, organ, choir and worship leader. 3 hymns were sung. The pastor started his sermon a little later than scheduled, and ate into the 15-minute set change time. Having to set up and check the second service music in 15 minutes is tough. Today we had less time than that, PLUS added a southern gospel quartet! Panic insued.