Before the service: half the work
A good mix starts an hour early. Check that every microphone and cable is in place, that the batteries are new and that the console has Sunday’s base scene loaded. Run the sound check with the band and write down what changed.
- Check order: drums, bass, guitars and keys, vocals and, last, the speaking microphones.
- One thing at a time: first the sound of each source, then the mix between them.
- Ask the musicians to play as they will in the service, not softly: gain is set with the real level.
Step 1: set the gain on every channel
Before moving a single fader, set the gain of each channel so the signal comes in strong but not clipping. If the gain is wrong, no amount of EQ fixes it later.
Step 2: build the base balance
With the faders near their working zone, build the mix in this order:
- Drums and bass: they are the floor of the mix. They should be felt, not dominate.
- Guitars, keys and other instruments: each one needs its own space; if two are equally loud in the same range, turn one down.
- Vocals: they sit above the music without shouting. The words must be understood.
- The sermon: it is the most important part of the service; make sure it is clear and at a steady level.
Step 3: EQ to clean up, not to decorate
EQ helps each source live alongside the others. Two simple rules: cut before you boost (removing a little muddy midrange often sounds better than adding treble) and keep changes small. For voices, see the vocal EQ guide.
Step 4: control dynamics and effects
- Gentle compression on vocals so soft phrases are not lost and loud ones do not jump out.
- Discreet reverb: if you can hear the effect, it is too much. It should add body, not “wash out” the words.
- Subgroups or DCAs: group the vocals and the instruments so you can raise or lower a whole block with one fader when a song needs it.
During the service: listen to the room
The most common mistake is mixing only on the console headphones. Walk the room before you start and listen from several spots: at the front, at the back and under the balconies. During the service your job is to anticipate: pull down microphones that are not in use, bring up the speaker’s voice a moment before they talk and watch for the first signs of feedback.
Common mistakes
- Raising the master volume to cover a problem instead of solving it.
- Leaving unused microphones open (more noise and more feedback risk).
- Ignoring the musicians’ monitors: if the stage is loud, the room mix gets worse.
- Changing many things at once during a song and not knowing what helped.