Jeff Barnett
Jeff Barnett
My name is Jeff Barnett and I lead the House of Worship Sales team here at Sweetwater. I joined the Sweetwater team in 2001. Since 2007, I've also been an instructor in Sweetwater's Academy of Music and Technology, teaching live sound. I've been a live sound engineer, a recording engineer, a system designer, an installer, a teacher, and a performing musician. I use this experience to help my clients achieve their musical and technical goals.
I have worked in churches, theaters, and studios, and I've helped hundreds of schools, churches, touring bands, and professional musicians design their sound systems and studios. This experience allows me to do more than just help you buy equipment; it allows me to help you get the best gear for your needs and understand the technology that will allow you to get the most out of it!
Outside of Sweetwater, I'm a freelance live sound engineer, working with various local bands, churches, and music venues. I have a cozy but nice studio at home - my personal musical oasis. I still love singing, and I'm a bit of an acappella nerd. I sing with an a cappella / vocal jazz group called Vox Deco. (Check us out at voxdecomusic.com!)
As your personal contact here at Sweetwater, please let me know anytime I can offer help or advice.
(800) 222-4700 ext 1283
E-mail Jeff-
Education/Certifications:
Music Education and Audio Engineering at Baylor University, Audio Engineering at McLennan Community College, Sweetwater University, NAMM University, SynAudCon System Design Training, AVID Pro Tools, S6, S6L, and VENUE Certified Specialist, SSL Console Certified Specialist, Dante Level II Certification, PreSonus StudioOne Specialist, Apple Product Professional, Apogee Certified, Shure Advanced Wireless Certification, Sennheiser Installed Sound Certified, Allen & Heath DLive Certification. Focusrite RedNet Certified Specialist, Toontrack University, Euphonix System MC Specialist, Vivitek Product Specialist, RODE University, Yamaha CL / QL Certification, DiGiCo S-Class certified, and more...
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Where are you from originally?
Waco, Texas
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What was your occupation before coming to Sweetwater?
Prior to coming to Sweetwater, I was the head audio engineer at a theater company, a recording engineer at a large university, and a demonstrator for Yamaha's line of MIDI-enabled player pianos - all at the same time! These jobs taught me to multitask and to think creatively to solve problems. I use this valuable experience for my customers every day!
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Gear you own:
Universal Audio Apollo X series interfaces, preamps, and compressors, ADAM monitors, Westone and UE in-ear monitors, PreSonus Studio One software, Melodyne, Waves plugins, QSC KW series and K series systems, PreSonus StudioLive mixers, Shure IEM systems, Audio-Technica wireless mics, PreSonus Air series speakers, Bose L1, Pro Tools, and a lot more studio mics than I can list.
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Family info:
I have a beautiful wife and six awesome kids. (Yes, six.)
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Real-life hero:
Ruth Pitts, one of the greatest musicians and most inspiring teachers I have ever met. Despite having NO FINGERS (really!) she earned a doctorate in piano. I had the privilege of being her student for years, and I learned much more than how to play the piano.
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Guilty pleasure of choice:
It's not really "guilty" but singing with an a cappella group is a lot of fun and it's the most challenging thing I've ever done, musically. After that, probably ice cream floats... Specifically, Blue Bell homemade vanilla ice cream with Dr Pepper. Nothing better.
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Describe the most dramatic situation in which you provided the Sweetwater Difference for a customer, or the most unusual/creative solution to a customer's problem:
There was a customer that bought a complex wireless mic and in-ear system from me without adequate time for it to be integrated into their racks before their tour. As it happened, their tour bus would be driving down the interstate, just a few miles from where I live. I met the bus at a truck stop at 5 a.m., picked up their racks, took them back to Sweetwater, and spent the day installing and setting up the wireless system. Then I drove them to their concert venue in time for soundcheck.
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What do you enjoy most about being part of the Sweetwater team?
I am amazed and challenged every day by the people I work with! I never would have thought it was possible to have so many smart and dedicated people in one building.
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What is the most important thing you've learned at Sweetwater?
The first piece of advice I got when I came here came directly from the president / owner of the company, Chuck Surack. He said to do the right thing for the customer, no matter what. The most important thing I've learned is that this piece of advice trumps everything.
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Who are some of the notable artists you've worked with?
MercyMe, Casting Crowns, Pentatonix, David Crowder, Shane & Shane, The Digital Age, Paul Baloche, Tenth Avenue North, Lincoln Brewster, Sidewalk Prophets, Jesus Culture, Chris Tomlin Band, Wade Robson, Here Come the Mummies, Miri Ben-Ari, Scissor Sisters, Cut Copy, Tim Allen, The Wiggles (yes, The Wiggles - my kids think I'm awesome)
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Links to my music
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Who are some other notable clients you've worked with?
Corporate: NBC / MSNBC, Microsoft, GE, Royal Caribbean, PreSonus, Avid, Ableton, Gaylord, Marriott, Dick's Last Resort, Carnegie Hall, CTI, SHI, Zones, Facebook
Government: US Army, US Navy, Air Force Band of the Golden West, US State Dept, Secret Service
Churches: Hundreds of churches, ranging in size from 10 members to 40,000.
Interview with Jeff...
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Jeff Barnett is extremely knowledgeable and has gone above and beyond to get my orders out to me as fast as possible. As an engineer myself I feel like I have the technical know how to get the job done but he fills the gap by having personally used and evaluated new gear, observing what my needs are, and providing options that I otherwise would not have known about... Excellent customer service! Sweetwater will continue to be my go-to place for new gear for years to come.
Daniel Morse - West End Community Church from Nashville, TN
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The buying experience with you guys is always beyond pleasant. I just want you to know that the special effort you and your team put in does not go unnoticed and because of that I will always get all of my gear from Sweetwater.
Wade Robson - Producer, dancer, and choreographer for Britney Spears, N Sync, and others. from Los Angeles, CA
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Jeff's the man. Always on the ball and treats me like I'm family. He's genuinely looking out for my best interest and will go the extra mile every time.
Rick Naqvi - Vice President of Sales, PreSonus Audio Electronics from Baton Rouge, LA
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Jeff Barnett from Sweetwater always knows what to recommend to me, he takes the time to listen to what I need and to explain the products. His experience and expertise make the buying experience fun and productive.
Miri Ben-Ari, Grammy Award Winning Violinist/Producer from New York, NY
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After thirty years in the pro audio business, I have learned true experts with a passion to follow-through are rare. Jeff Barnett from Sweetwater is one of only a few people in this industry who has the drive, knowledge and desire to see his clients' needs met completely each and every time.
Kent Morris - President, Cornerstone Media Group and FOH Engineer for Paul Baloche from Atlanta, GA
