Communication between FOH and the Band

Greetings. I just wish to ask people for tips and things that have worked for them in dealing with communication between the soundtech and band. So often the sound man is considered to be completely seperate from the band with this "you do your job and I will do mine" mentality. Particularly in the setup part. So what works for you? What things does the band need to communicate? What things does the sound tech need to communicate? What questions should each be asking? How do you close the gap between sound and band? Do you use talkback systems, hand signals or large posterboards with large print that say "turn the guitar DOWN!"
Posted by Samuel Clemance on Oct 22, 2002.


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Hello,

I'm the Music, Media, and Technical Director for our church. Also lead Worship from the piano each Sunday (3 back 2 back services).

I feel your pain! In fact, I just forwarded your "poster to the guitarist" to my band! Love it.

Without too many details, it is a struggle for us. We don't have the money for a nice intercom system (one where we wouldn't all have to wear hugh headphones). So, since I have a mic in front of me at all times, I look at the sound guy (if he's watching me!) and tap my ear. They know this means to mute/solo my mic and I simply whisper into my mic my needs (lights, sounds, more bass, less drums, tell the video guy to switch the bg photo, etc.). It is only oneway, but works. I have my own board next to the piano for the monitor mix for the band, so they don't have to fool with that live.

Don't know if this helps, but it is a simple procedure if your board supports mute/solo features, which I'm sure most do.

Ideally, I will find a small little headset (in-ear, with a little boom) to wear, and the sound guy/video guy can wear normal 1 or 2 ear headsets, since no one can see them.

Take care,


Posted by Brian Busch on Oct 22, 2002.

We use motorola 2 ways with ear coils to communicate between the back of house and stage. Let me tell you, that was probably the best investment that we made

[jflash]

Our biggest advantage is we have a single soundman that has been with the band since we started our contemporary service, and so he and the worship leader have gotten to know each other well enough that fairly little communication is needed. However, when it is needed, its generally one-way and facilitated through the use of a talkback mic in the booth going to the band's in-ears. Usually everything is handled during breaks, and if it is something that has to be dealt with during the song, then that means the service has stopped and we don't have to worry about being discreet.

[cw4u]

The only thing we would use on a typical sunday is a phone that connects our video/broadcast room with the ministers on the very front pew. We hardly ever use it though.

If the need arises, we will mainly just send them a text.

We always go through the entire worship service before it actually begins. It takes time, but it's probably the best thing you can do.

[Gracetech]

I wired our intercom system into the audio console so that the technicians that are not in the room can be feed the audio through the intercom and when they need to chat with the guys on the stage they just flash the audio guy and he hits the Talk Back button on the console and they can talk all they want until he lets go of the button. It's a great setup and it's not the first time i've setup a system like this since it works so well(as long as your audio pep is paying attention).

crt