Quick takeaways from this interview

• Remote church mixing offers potential benefits but requires careful planning and resource allocation.
• Training and addressing latency are crucial for successful remote mixing implementation.
• Remote mixing can expand volunteer opportunities and improve accessibility for both online and in-person attendees.

Could you give us a brief introduction and tell us about your YouTube channel, what you do there, and how it’s related to remote church mixing?

Hey, thanks for having me. I’m Dave Allam, a sound engineer, professional musician, and multi-instrumentalist based in Richmond. My YouTube channel focuses on helping churches improve their sound, especially through techniques like remote church mixing. Many churches have soundboards but not the people who know how to use them effectively. I aim to provide educational content that helps sound techs get up and running and understand the basics of audio mixing.

What are some of the current needs and trends you see in churches today, particularly when it comes to audio for both in-person and online services?

Right now, many churches are trying to balance in-person services with online streaming. We’ve seen a huge boost in technology adoption, especially since the pandemic. Churches are exploring various options, including remote church mixing, to create high-quality broadcasts, often looking at mega-churches as a benchmark. However, they often don’t have the same resources – both financial and volunteer-based. This leads to a challenge of scaling expectations to match reality. Churches need to consider what they are truly called to do, and that will ultimately determine their technology needs, including whether remote church mixing is a viable option. Another trend is automation, which is great, but it also introduces troubleshooting complexities.

How can churches effectively build a team to support their audio needs, whether for regular mixing or remote mixing? How do you train and develop those volunteers?

That’s a great question. I actually have a playlist on my YouTube channel dedicated to training sound technicians, which is particularly relevant for those interested in remote church mixing. I did a poll on my channel and found that very few sound techs actually practice. As a musician, I believe practice is essential. With today’s technology, it’s easier than ever. You can record services using a DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) and then practice mixing at home with headphones and free software. This allows volunteers to learn the tools and train their ears without the pressure of a live service. I encourage churches to find even just one person who is willing to learn and practice. That can be a starting point.

What stands out to you in today’s landscape of remote church mixing technology? What capabilities are exciting, and what areas need further development?

It’s amazing how far we’ve come. We’re essentially creating live content that rivals what we used to see on TV. The fact that someone across the world can watch a service live is incredible. When it comes to remote church mixing, we already see it happening in some ways. I do consultations where I remotely control someone’s console via screen sharing. The challenge is audio over IP and latency. It would be amazing if someone could mix a service from anywhere in the world, opening up opportunities for volunteers to share their gifts. Currently, the most prominent platform actively promoting this is Presonus with their ecosystem. I’m hoping to see more open-source solutions emerge in the future.

What are your final thoughts on remote church mixing for churches?

I think you summed it up well. Churches need to consider if live streaming, and by extension, is the right fit for them. They need to assess their technical capabilities, budget, and volunteer resources. Practicing and decomposing the act of mixing into smaller parts is crucial for training volunteers. Testing for latency and understanding the limitations of their setup is also essential. Ultimately, it comes down to what the church wants to achieve and what resources they have available.