Guide to Sound Systems for Worship

I'm an audio engineer (starting my business in 1994), and there are about 3 or 4 books that I always recommend to my clients when they're setting up a reference library for audio training - this is one of those books. It has a "big brother", written by the same group of audio engineers (from the Yamaha pro audio department), and the larger book is basically (at least) a textbook for an associates degree in audio engineering - probably covers everything discussed for a bachelor's degree. Anyway, this book is aimed specifically at running live sound (and recording) for church services, and for music ministry events. It has all of the info most sound people would ever want, explained in a pretty easy to grasp format - it starts with easily understood concepts, then builds on that beginning, step-by-step. Or, someone can use the index, and go right to the info they're looking for. The book covers equipment specifications (and how to understand them), equipment placement and any functional info you'll need, the correct operation of each device used in the audio system, and especially how to correctly set-up and operate a mixer. It also covers ways to trouble-shoot problems in the audio system, and discusses the ways fix common audio problems: feedback, hum or hissing sounds, etc. If you run sound at a church, this is a good reference to keep handy!By the way, the other 2 books I always recommend are written by the same guy (Rudy Trubitt): 1 for a client, and 1 for himself. His own book is titled "Live Sound For Musicians", and is lightly technical, written for the average musician, not just techies. The other book was written for the Mackie Corporation, which owns a pretty large share of the pro audio sales pie. That book is titled "Mackie Compact Mixers", and covers all of the functions of most small to medium mixers (1-32 channels). It gives the info in a fun-to-read format, and sets a pretty medium-sized learning curve for really learning how to operate a mixer well - once you've got what this book gives you, you can operate almost any mixer you'll ever have to use. (Digital mixers aren't covered, but they're actually not much more complicated, just set up in a different way.)If you're already partly trained, I recommend this book and the one Rudy wrote for Mackie; if you're just getting started, add Rudy's book for musicians; if you want all the info you'll ever need, add the other book by the Yamaha audio engineers, entitled "The Sound Reinforcement Handbook". Also, Paul White puts out 2 good series of audio books, each aimed at specific equipment. (Warning: these can get technical!)

In the late eighties I was sent to the Yamaha School of Audio Engineering, which was offered at their faciities in Garden Grove California. My employer, at the time, saw the opportunity to enhance my effectiveness. It worked. We installed audio and audio video systems in everything from theme parks to churches. The education along with practical experience provided a solid operational foundation. Simultaneously, it sparked my sense of innovation. I enjoyed the connection I felt with large-scale developers, as I played a role in multi-million dollar projects. It's now twenty years later and the industry has gone through several major changes - so have I. I left the audio industry in the early 1990's recession to become a teacher. However, recently I have found usefulness in the Yamaha guide to Sound Systems, again. This time I am using the Guide to Audio Systems for Worship as a text to instruct Churches' technical staff on the workings of the sound systems and relevent factors that influence its operation. The book is fairly comprehensive, easy to read/understand. Also, it provides good insight into the functions and complexities of Audio systems for worship. We have been using the books for four weeks now, and the students are already seeing positive results in their facility and effectiveness to solve problems arising from the use of a large-format, professional-grade audio system in a large church. I recommend this book to any church audio technical teams, who want to develope their efficacy. It has what is needed.

This book isn't just for the church 'soundman'...it's for everyone involved in worship. It covers the basics of "do we need a sound system" and how much to spend to setting up the gain structure of your system. It is written in easy to understand terms and has plenty of diagrams. I have been doing sound for over a year for the college-aged 'praise team' and just recently started mixing the sunday morning services. I had picked up a lot of knowledge during that time. This book affirmed some of my "I think so"s and taught me new things like proper mic placement, monitor mixes, and setting gain structure.This book also goes into the non-technical side of planning the system from building design to what to look for if your going to be highering a sound engineering consultant to build you a system.Its a very good book for the non-audio professionals in a church that volunteer their time to do the church sound.

I am a volunteer sound person at church and with a biblical theatrical group who was shown by the previous volunteer who was shown by the previous....get the picture? This book has helped translate and educate in the areas where it is needed. It has good definitions for terms and help in applying sound techniques. Friends have already asked to "borrow" the book which I responsed "Get your own" because I cannot afford to lose it for future reference. I wasn't disappointed and I hope you won't be either. It has a frequency range chart of typical instruments and singing voices which someone said in the past I should have but could never find. I have the book on my nightstand and read a bit before retiring to absorb a little at a time because it is packed with information.

Very good. Thorough and well aimed at people (like myself) taking first steps with sound systems.Quite a lot of it is taken from the "Sound Reinforcement Handbook" but is toned down a little to make it more approachable for the non-too-technical.Also, despite the title, it's certainly not restricted to sound in places of worship. We do small concerts in a voluntary effort music school where we need sound for kids singing and playing guitars, piano, flute, etc. I found it very helpful for such venues.

This book does have good information that is very useful to get you started in your ministry. This book can also be good as reference in case you are no sure about something.

The writer clearly understands the various forms of worship, and provides good in depth advice on how to select operate and install a sound system. the book is quite old (1990) so it is very analogue oriantated even so the advice offered is very sound, all in all excellant.

This book still has some useful information BUT technically its way out of date having been written in 1990.

very good book.Exactly as required

Great book I have purchased at least three or four times before and given away. However it is dated now and needs a complete overhaul.

bonne recherche.