SoundTips
Traditional
vs. Contemporary Service Formats
This
is something I want to write more extensively about. Different church
traditions and formats have diffeent sound requirements. I
have
often said I can specify an amplifier by the denomination.
Methodists need about 30 watts, African-American Baptist
churches
need about 3000. There are other differences that have to do with the
kind of content, the type of music, the type, tone and intent of
preaching style, and the typical acoustic environment. Of
particular interest is congregations that are transitioning from one
format to another such as traditional or liturgical to more
contemporary styles. Often an organ environment stinks for a praise
band approach and an automatic mixer is inappropriate for plays and
worship singers. The concept of the quiet stage comes into play. Why a
church should be designed as a theater and made to look like a church
instead of trying to build a traditional church and make it fit duty as
a theater.
