As your church grows, so will your audio needs. You want to ensure music and gospel reach every member’s ears, and choosing the right professional audio gear is the key. There are several considerations to make when shopping for products. Here are several to help you find exactly what you need.

What to Consider When Buying a New Audio System for Your Church

1. How You’ll Use It

Specialized professional audio gear has specific purposes. If you’re strictly preaching, you’ll only need a PA system and microphone. However, if you’ll have a choir during traditional services or a progressive band with guitars and drums during late services, a more versatile system will be necessary. 

Some microphones are designed only for vocals, while others have a wider range to handle other instruments or audio from amplifiers. You may also need more speakers, depending on the size of the space. Adding some to the ceiling, sides of the room, or the balcony or other areas will ensure everyone hears clearly. Think about all the events you’ll host so you choose the appropriate gear.

2. Control

Sound is composed of low, mid, and high-range frequencies. Vocals and instruments produce various tones, and they can clash and hurt listeners' ears. 

An audio mixer lets you reduce frequencies on various instruments and microphones to create harmony. You may want to take the high frequencies out of a guitar while a tenor is singing or add bass to emphasize a powerful sermon. The mixer is essential for creating the best sounds, and many professional audio companies will provide training after installation.

3. Room Acoustics

Sound echoes off walls, corners, and every other surface in a room. These echoes, called reverb, can create harsh sounds or muddle tones when the room's acoustics aren’t managed. Professional audio technicians will carefully assess sound absorption and echo—called reverb—in your church. They may then install sound-absorbing panels or bass-muffling blocks to better regulate the sound.

When you purchase professional audio gear from Claiborne Sharp Professional Audio, you can be confident of the quality and expertise their staff provides. Since 1989, they’ve created custom audio solutions for churches, schools, and commercial clients in Shreveport, LA. They provide audio training to ensure you understand the gear. Call (318) 861-5953 to speak with a representative and start exploring products and services on their website.