Audio Technician

Define the following terms:

• a.

  Loudspeaker

• b.

  Audio mixer

• c.

  Amplifier

• d.

  Microphone

• e.

  Impedance

• f.

  Gain

• g.

  Audio feedback

• h.

  Frequency response

• i.

  Equalizer

• j.

  Balanced input/output

• k.

  Unbalanced input/output

• l.

  Monaural

• m.

  Stereo

• n.

  Cardioid

• o.

  Hyper-cardioid

• p.

  Unidirectional

• q.

  Soundcheck

• r.

  Phantom power

• s.

  Decibel

Describe and give the primary uses of four different types of microphones.

Describe why the placement of microphones is important:

• a.

  Relative to the people speaking/singing

• b.

  Relative to the loudspeakers

Select an audio system that you will learn on and demonstrate the skills described in the next section of this honor. This audio system can be your local church/school sound system, a sound system used by your local conference for Pathfinder events or a system that the instructor has. It should consist of, at minimum: several microphones, a mixer, an amplifier, an auxiliary audio source and loudspeakers.

• a.

  Be able to properly set up this sound system, keeping in mind the principles of microphone placement and running a sound check.

• b.

  Be able to properly take down this sound system.

• c.

  Draw a block diagram of how the sound system elements are connected to each other, showing the signal paths.

Discuss and demonstrate the following core audio mixing techniques on this system:

• a.

  Volume

• b.

  Panning (if you have a system that supports stereo)

• c.

  Equalization

• d.

  Dynamics

Describe and demonstrate how to deal with the following situations on this system:

• a.

  Audio feedback

• b.

  A dead line or mic

• c.

  A mixer that has been played with by a non-audio technician

Demonstrate your proficiency by running a sound system on at least four different occasions for a worship service or other event.

Interview a person who serves as an audio technician. Discuss the following questions:

• a.

  How did they get started in this field?

• b.

  How do they see this work as a ministry?

• c.

  What do they enjoy about what they do?

• d.

  What do they not enjoy about what they do?

• e.

  What are the aspects of the work they find challenging?

• f.

  What do they do to keep up with the technology in the field?

Read Romans 10:17 and discuss with your group how they might relate to the function of the audio technician.