Facilitating live sound in a smaller church is a daunting challenge. As you navigate the tricky factors of budget, room acoustics, portability, storage, volunteer recruitment and training, future growth, and time limitations, you may find that it’s impossible to be an expert in everything. Whether you facilitate a cappella, acoustic, traditional, blended, or modern worship, know that Sweetwater has you covered. In addition to playing at their own churches, many of our Sweetwater Sales Engineers are devoted exclusively to churches and church musicians. That’s passion.
So, let’s talk about some of the best starting options when selecting gear for smaller churches — gear that’s low maintenance, versatile, dependable, and easy to use.
Note: At Sweetwater, we know there’s no such thing as “best” when it comes to music gear. Every player and artist has unique tastes, which is what makes selecting gear so fun! The items on this list feature some of our favorite products from top manufacturers to help you start your buying journey! Explore these recommendations and dive into Sweetwater’s massive collection of gear on our online store. For personalized picks and expert advice, please contact our knowledgeable Sweetwater Sales Engineers at (800) 222-4700!
FOH Sound
Mixer Consoles
If you use a full band or need a bevy of channels, then avoid the expense of purchasing a digital mixer plus a stage box; instead, use a Behringer X32 Rack, such as the 40-channel rackmount digital mixer. Placing the mixer in a rack on the platform allows all the musicians to plug in without needing a snake — this includes your main loudspeakers and in-ear monitors, too! Using this product’s supplied app, you can mix the sound on an iPad or iPhone from anywhere in the room. You’ll have 40 input channels, 25 buses, 16 Midas-designed preamps, eight stereo effects slots, onboard stereo recording, and eight XLR outputs all at your fingertips. Connect to a computer to record individual channels for virtual sound checks.
If you prefer a tactile control surface with physical dials and faders, then consider the similarly featured Behringer X32 Compact mixer with S16 stage box, which connects through a single Ethernet cable — no cumbersome analog snakes required.
If you facilitate a small acoustic team or need a smaller number of channels, then the Behringer X Air XR18 18-channel tablet-controlled digital mixer is a good choice. It can be placed on the platform and controlled via an app for your iPad/Android tablet or smartphone. With 16 preamp channels, two hi-Z inputs, effects, and EQ, plug this mixer in and you’re ready to go.
The cost-effective Yamaha MG10XU mixer with USB and FX is a 10-channel analog mixing console with four mono inputs, three stereo inputs, and four outputs. It’s a good choice if you need a smaller number of channels and still want to access features like compressors, EQ, LED metering, and a USB interface for recording.
Speakers
Fill your worship space with the glorious, controlled sound of the Bose F1 Model 812 and powered subwoofer pair. Even in rooms with acoustic issues, these adjustable mini arrays can direct sound to every ear in the house and handle challenges like bleachers, a high stage, or reflective floors. A single, portable speaker/sub combo can easily fill a small room with phenomenally full, articulate sound, and this pair will effortlessly handle a midsize auditorium — even with a full band.
The Turbosound iQ12 2,500-watt 12-inch powered speaker and Turbosound IQ15B 3,000-watt 15-inch powered subwoofer work seamlessly with Behringer’s ULTRANET. With a simple Cat5 cable, you can access tons of control with handy onboard DSP sound shaping and automatic feedback-frequency notching.
For an active portable PA system with a built-in 8-channel digital mixer and app control, consider the RCF EVOX JMix8. Mix the sound from anywhere in the room without a cable trip hazard. The built-in Bluetooth compatibility allows you to stream your playlist, and the internal crossover point is designed to elevate clear vocals and protect against microphone feedback. Use it individually or as a pair, or slave with the RCF EVOX J8 active portable PA system, which doesn’t come with a mixer.
The Behringer Eurolive B112D 1,000-watt 12-inch powered speaker offers affordable low-distortion power and handy features in a surprisingly lightweight package. Match that with a Berhinger Eurolive B1200D-PRO 500-watt 12-inch powered subwoofer for full-bodied sound to fill every corner of the room.
EQ
Shape your FOH sound and address problematic feedback frequencies with the Behringer Ultragraph Pro FBQ6200HD 31-band stereo graphic equalizer. Helpful features like the feedback detection system, sweepable highpass and lowpass filters, and pink-noise generator allow you to remove floor rumble, hiss, and other unwanted frequencies while tailoring your system to your room’s acoustics.
In-ear Monitors
One of the most cost-effective approaches to in-ear monitoring is to use the Rolls PM50se personal monitor amp. This product is placed between the musician or singer and the snake or sound console, allowing the artist to blend stereo or mono monitor aux signal levels with their own instrument or microphone into their in-ears or headphones. For musicians requiring phantom power, use the Rolls PM60 personal monitor mic preamp. For stations needing two instruments (like a microphone and a guitar or keyboard), use the Rolls PM351 personal monitor system. If multiple musicians can use the same monitor mix, then consider a Behringer MicroAMP HA400 4-channel headphone amplifier to split, level, and send a stereo or mono monitor signal to up to four people.
The 16-channel Behringer Powerplay P16-M is a popular choice among digital personal monitor mixes. Every musician uses a separate P16-M to connect to the digital stage box or sound console and create a unique stereo mix from up to 16 channels. Channels can be panned and EQ’d to create even more distinction. If daisy-chained, individual units all need a separate power supply, or you can use a 16-channel Behringer P16-D distribution module to incorporate power directly into the feed. The Behringer P16-M personal mixing system with P16-D distribution module includes four P16-M units, a P16-D distributor, and four stand mounts.
If a clean stage is an important aesthetic or necessary for musicians who need wireless freedom to move across the platform, then add a wireless in-ear monitoring system for each musician, like the dependable Shure PSM300 P3TRA215CL, the highly rated Sennheiser EW IEM G4, or the affordable mono Xvive U4. For musicians and choirs that share the same monitor mix, consider sending from a single transmitter to multiple receivers. The cost-effective stereo Galaxy Audio Any Spot AS-850-4 band pack system includes a transmitter and four wireless receivers.
Pro Tip: Including a room mic in one channel allows musicians to better hear the congregation and communicate during rehearsals and sound checks.
Microphones
Several affordable microphones make great multiuse workhorses that you can use for years. The rugged Shure SM58 dynamic microphone is popular and suitable for vocals, and its cardioid pickup pattern helps to minimize feedback and unwanted noise. The industry-standard Shure SM57 cardioid dynamic microphone is often used for instruments, drums, and amplifiers. And with a pop filter, it can also be used to brighten dark-toned singers — the little boost around 4kHz helps voices cut through the mix. The handheld sE Electronics V7 is a great supercardioid dynamic stage vocal mic with low handling noise, good intelligibility, high gain before feedback, and room-bleed rejection. Plus, the beveled ring around the grille prevents rolling when you set the mic down on a piano or soundboard. Then, designed for use with both video cameras and mic stands, Audio-Technica AT875R shotgun condenser mics can be used to add the congregation’s voices and clapping to your streaming or in-ear monitoring mix — just make sure you position one either side of the platform, facing the congregation’s most populated seats.
Wireless Microphone Transmitters
The Sennheiser EW 100 G4-935-S wireless microphone system is highly rated by Sweetwater customers and includes a handheld mic transmitter and a receiver. The Sennheiser EW G4-ME3 wireless headworn microphone system can be used for hands-free speaking. An affordable alternative that will instantly transform a standard handheld microphone into a wireless unit is the Xvive U3 XLR plug-on wireless system, or for two mics, use the Xvive U3D Stereo XLR plug-on wireless system. Because they can run both mic and line levels, you can also use these little wonders to wirelessly feed a stage wedge from a stage box or an aux out on your sound console.
Miscellaneous Gear
Clean your stage and avoid tripping hazards by securing your cables with the residue-free, reusable Secure Cord ASC25B cable management system for carpets. With hook-and-loop strips, these systems fasten securely to any loop pile carpet, and they can be cut easily to size.
For a fast, low-profile music or tablet holder, check out the tiltable, lightweight, steel K&M 11510 clamp-on sheet music holder.
Video & Streaming
When considering video and streaming applications, consulting an A/V professional can help ensure that the system you choose is appropriate for your goals, space, and budget. Additional factors include the lighting and acoustics of your space.
Cameras
If you are one of the many churches turning older iPhones into low-cost, multiple-camera setups, then create dropout-free HDMI connections with an Apple Lightning to Digital AV Adapter Lightning to HDMI + power input for each device. And for an affordable HD camera/camcorder option, the lightweight Panasonic V900 full-HD camcorder boasts a 1/2.5-inch sensor and a 24x optical zoom for phenomenal clarity and color accuracy, even in less-than-optimal lighting conditions.
Video Switchers
The Blackmagic Design ATEM Mini Pro HDMI video production studio with livestreaming is a hardware-based live production switcher that offers four HDMI inputs, two audio inputs, and audio mixing and streams directly to your favorite platforms. It can be a good option for churches that prefer a physical switcher over software-based solutions, and it records to USB. This product’s big brother is the ATEM Mini Pro ISO HDMI video production studio with 5-stream recording engine from the same company.
Step up to the 4-channel Roland V-1HD HD video switcher with four HDMI inputs, a 12-channel audio mixer, dual HDMI outputs, and audio and visual effects. The 4-channel Roland V-1HD HD video switcher adds additional audio channels and features.
Production Tools
Whether you’re streaming/recording video with free or paid video production software or running multiple applications from the same computer during a service, you should check out the Elgato Stream Deck XL customizable desktop interface. This handy controller gives you a bank of dedicated soft buttons so you can open apps, run macros, manage streams, cue tracks, activate commands, and more. It’s a great way to make your production process more streamlined and volunteer friendly.
Ensure great streaming audio with a real-time true-peak limiter plug-in like the IK Multimedia T-RackS Quad Lim. Use this to boost your audio signal levels and control soft peaks for your streaming platform.
Projection
Projectors
For a permanent installation that requires superior brightness, contrast, and color reproduction, check out the EIKI EK-720LU Conference Series Projector. This 4K projector offers a 1920 x 1200 video resolution, versatile aspect ratios (4:3, 16:9, and 16:10), 7,200 lumens with a 5,000,000:1 contrast ratio, a 16-watt speaker system, a 1.6 manual zoom/focus lens with horizontal/vertical shifting capabilities, great brightness and contrast, and a long-lasting, 20,000-hour-rated laser and phosphor light source.
Confidence Monitors or Wireless Projectors/Monitor Connections
If you want to connect wirelessly from your video source directly to a projector or confidence monitor, then consider the Accsoon CineView HE multi-spectrum wireless video transmitter and receiver. It will send a low-latency, 1080p signal to up to four devices with a dependable, dual-band, 20-channel connection and a 1,200-foot range. Plus, use the free Accsoon Go app to access deep-dive features and record/capture an image for review or to post straight to social media.
Lighting
Lighting is as unique as your personal approach to worship. Whether you prefer basic room lighting with a couple of ambient lights or a full-out light show, there are many available options that allow you to tailor your lighting to meet the specific needs and character of your church. Wireless, lasers, hazers, gobos, and more — they’re all at your fingertips.
Pro Tip: If you’re streaming or capturing your services on video, then be sure to use flicker-free-rated lights!
Creating a visually engaging and functional lighting design includes factors like planning the placement and angles of your lights, calculating the impact of power and heat, and calculating the number of channels you need for control.
LED Lights
The Chauvet DJ 4BAR ILS PAR System provides you with a portable tripod bar stand and four RGB PARS that you can control by DMX, run beat-synced preset programs in sound-active mode, or command with the optional IRC remote. While the 4BAR system is a fully functional standalone fixture, you can also use master/slave chaining with other 4BAR fixtures to easily create more complex lighting setups. A wireless footswitch and carrying case are included, and with the optional 4BAR transceiver, you can even take your DMX wireless. Upgrade to RGBA lights with the Chauvet DJ 4BAR ILS RGBA PAR System.
Incorporate motion into your palette and extend your lighting into the congregation with the Chauvet Gig Bar Move + ILS 5-in-1 LED lighting system. The laser, washes, strobes, derbies, UV LEDs, and two moving heads with gobo wheels allow you to wirelessly create coordinated shows across multiple fixtures that you can control with DMX, sound-active mode, the included wireless footswitch, onboard controls, or the optional Chauvet DJ ILS Command Center. A quick-setup, single-bar tripod and carry bags are included.
For portable setups that are great for conquering low-drop ceilings, cabling issues, or limited space for light stands, consider using a completely wireless, battery-operated Chauvet DJ Freedom H1 RGBAW+UV LED PAR 4-pack, that come in black or white finishes. These have magnetic bases, magnetic gel holders, and come with a carry bag. These go-anywhere lights can be controlled via DMX or the included wireless IR remote. Plus, they are also available in Tri-6 RGB and Quad-Par Q9 wash light models.
Add backlighting or uplighting with a few ADJ Mega Hex L PARs. If you want to incorporate a mover that’s not part of a bundle, then consider a show-enhancing Chauvet DJ Intimidator Spot 260X 75-watt LED moving-head spot or the precise and lightweight Chauvet DJ Intimidator Scan 360 100-watt LED scanner effect.
Hazer
Maximize the impact of your lighting with more from Chauvet DJ: the DMX-controlled, 800-cfm Hurricane Haze 1DX haze machine or the 25,000-cfm Hurricane 1800 Flex adjustable-angle fog machine for larger spaces.
Controllers
While some of the lighting options in this list include footswitches, IR remotes, or smartphone software, there are computer-based or console controllers that provide practical and powerful capabilities as well.
Chauvet DJ’s rackmount Stage Designer 50 is a small-package, single-universe dimming console with the functionality of a 48-channel board, including up to eight pages with 12 scenes each and 96,000 programmable steps. The ADJ DMX Operator Pro DMX lighting controller offers eight channels of intelligent lights and eight channels of PAR cans, totaling 136 DMX channels in all. Plus, it can save scenes and chases to a CF card for easy backup and transfer. Other handy features include a pan/tilt joystick and fog machine trigger button. Also from ADJ is the LINK iPad DMX controller, which controls up to four universes by combining physical faders, buttons, and wheels with a dedicated Airstream DMX LINK iOS app. This app wirelessly connects to your iPad and allows you to control, program, and play back your light show remotely.
DMX Interfaces for Software Lighting Control
If you control your lights with software, like Chauvet DJ’s ShowXPress or Capture Visualization AB’s Capture, from a tablet, iPad, or computer, then you’ll need a USB-to-DMX interface based on the number of channels being controlled. The no-frills ENTTEC Open DMX USB non-isolated DMX interface is highly rated and controls up to 512 channels. Also sporting 512 channels is the Chauvet DJ Xpress-512S USB DMX interface, which allows you to design and store an entire show for playback without a computer. Plus, this hot-swappable product can quickly reconnect should a fixture lose its DMX connection. Reach for the Chauvet DJ DMX-AN 2 to control up to two DMX universes from your Art-Net-based software (like Chamsys MagicQ).
If you prefer the hands-on features of a lighting console, then the rackmountable Chauvet DJ Obey 70 DMX lighting controller is worth your attention. It supplies basic control with 14 faders plus two master faders, 384 DMX channels, an XY joystick, and support for 12 intelligent lights with 32 channels each. If you’re using wireless lights, like the Chauvet DJ’s Freedom lights, then consider the Chauvet DJ Obey 40 D-Fi 2.4 wireless DMX lighting controller, which controls up to twelve 16-channel fixtures with 192 channels of wireless DMX control.
How many DMX channels do I need?
Your channel need is determined by the capabilities of the devices you want to control. Each lighting fixture or group of fixtures uses dedicated channels to control details like color mix, intensity, movement, and so on. Each detail being controlled requires at least one channel. Think of a channel as an instruction — like how bright the light should be, whether the gobo wheel should rotate left, or if the hazer should activate. Simple fixtures require only a couple of channels, and more robust fixtures require quite a few. Some fixtures even allow you to select the number of channels required, based on which features you need to access. DMX lights that are the same kind and follow the same instructions simultaneously can be grouped and controlled using the channels of a single fixture, like a bank of auditorium house lights. Grouping fixtures in this way conserves channels and simplifies programming. But even with grouping, it’s easy to need a lot of channels.
Channels are organized into “universes.” A universe contains a maximum of 512 channels. Some lighting consoles and interfaces control a partial universe, while some control multiple universes. A light’s channels cannot be split between multiple universes. To calculate the number of channels your system requires, add up the needed channels for each fixture or group.
Live Sound Issues? We Can Help!
Reach out to a Sweetwater Sales Engineer at (800) 222-4700 for expert answers and personalized recommendations as you create the music that helps people connect with what’s ultimately important.
