Sound And Light Training SALT Manual by Ken Ellis

1. Introduction

This document is a training manual for members of a Church Sound And Light Team (SALT). It is intended to provide an overview of basic concepts (with a fair amount of detail) concerning the operation of sound, lighting, and video equipment that may be found in today's contemporary Church services.

Actually, the more important objective of this manual is to describe the goals of a Church Sound And Light Team and to outline the scope of the Sound And Light Team's work; both physical and spiritual.

If you are, or want to be, part of a Church Sound And Light Team, you should think about your motivation:

• Who are you doing this for - yourself or God?
• Are you doing it to get something - money, recognition, attention, or praise?
• Are you doing it to give something - your time, talent, service, sacrafice, and love?
• Who's idea is it that you should be part of the Church Sound And Light Team - did you decide it or did God call you?
• Did you get on the Church Sound And Light Team through prayer or do you need to pray for help now that you are here?
• Are you willing to spend the time it takes to learn to do the job right?

Running Church sound, even if you do it for 50 years, will not get you into Heaven. Only by faith in Jesus will you enter Heaven. But, if you did run Church sound (and did it well), Jesus may let you play with thunder once in awhile!

One final warning I would like to pass on to any who would be part of a Church Sound And Light Team:   For many years I had the feeling that I had to be at every Church event to run the equipment. I was sure that if I did not show up, the service or the program would be a disaster. "They needed me!" Because of that, I gave up many hours I should have been spending with my wife and children - time I can never get back. I say this as a warning to you to think about your priorities.

The Sound And Light Training Manual starts with a block diagram showing how a sound system takes the sound from its source (i.e. person speaking, musical instrument, singer, or a recording) and delivers it to the ears of the listener (audience). In section 2) Definition of Terms , each component of the sound system is identified and defined. Next, sections 3) Goals for Sound Systems and 4) Job of the Sound And Light Team (SALT) provide an appreciation for the goals of a sound system and the job of the Sound And Light Team (SALT). The next several Sections describe the various Components of a Sound System: Section 5) Sound Source , Section 6) Mixer , Section 7)hEffectsiProcessors , Section 8) Equalizers , Section 9) Amplifiers , and Section 10) Speakers .

Section 11) Understanding Sound helps to explain some of the misteries of sound systems.

Next, section 12) Set-Up of a Sound System will give you an idea what is involved in setting up a medium sized portable concert sound system. Section 13) Operating a Sound System will give you a few hints that may help you become a better sound system operator. And, section 14) How the Performer can Help will explain what others can do to make the Sound And Light Team's job easier.

If you are having trouble with your sound system, then section 15) Trouble Shooting the Sound System is the place to go.

The remaining sections, 16) Everything Else! , 17) Things Specific to Advent Lutheran Church , 18) Example Requirements for a Sound System , 19) Example Requirements for a Lighting System , and 20) Example General Building Requirements give sound system examples which are specific to Advent Lutheran Church , but may be helpful to any Church involved in renovating an existing sound or lighting system or installing a new sound or lighting system.

Section 21) Links will give you some links to other places on the World Wide Web that provide useful Church Sound, Light, and Video information.

A new addition to the SALT Manual is section 22) Entry Level Video for Churches .

Enjoy!