2008 Newsletter Lessons Archive
TFWM NEWSLETTER LESSONS, 2008
The following lessons were originally included in the TFWM Newsletter. If you are interested in receiving this bi-weekly newsletter free of charge, please sign-up here.
Your Heart's Content: Searching out a Content Management System for your Website
Dec. 29, 2008: Ever had one of those ambitious moments, where you feel like tackling a seemingly insurmountable task? Of course, we all have. However when that insurmountable task refers to learning a web programming language because you have been recently appointed as "web guru" for your church, we may only be referring to a select few. A very brave, valorous few.
White Spaces and Wireless Microphones
Dec. 15, 2008: With all of the attention surrounding White Spaces, it's hard not to get overwhelmed. The truth is, there is a lot of information to take in about this issue.
Broadcast Tips- Going HD, Managing Content and Virtual Sets
December 2, 2008:This is a compilation of feedback from several manufacturers in the broadcast industry. While we were researching content for a series of upcoming topics in TFWM, we asked some questions of these folks and got some great responses.
Financing Stretches the Church Technology Budget
Nov. 17, 2008: In these changing economic times, it is becoming increasingly more important for churches to understand the role financing can play in technology budgets. Russ Munson, Vice-President of National City Media Finance, provides this weeks well-timed lesson.
Cost-saving Ideas for HOW Broadcasters – Virtual Solutions
Nov. 3, 2008: In exploring the idea of cost savings for HOW broadcasters, one idea is very clear – “virtually” clear. Many broadcasters approach HD conversion with fears of large capital cost, learning new technologies and training staff. While these are certainly concerns, the conversion also brings new opportunities.
Electronic Enhancement: A Primer
Oct. 20, 2008: A common dilemma in House of Worship (HOW) acoustics is finding a balance between the needs of speech intelligibility and some types of live music. In general, a short RT is necessary for good intelligibility. However, a long(er) RT is desirable for pipe organ and acoustic groups, such as a string quartet or choir.
How File-Based Broadcasting Technologies Can Aid Houses of Worship
Oct. 6, 2008: Retailers, corporations and broadcasters are increasingly embracing a “file-based” workflow as a means to more easily transport media files and localize services. Until this point, many used multiple computers and software programs at each location to handle the distribution of analog and digital video content.
Check Your Ego at the Door!
Sept. 22, 2008: A nice slogan – a cool twist – or a “mantra” for developing a worship culture that penetrates every musician, singer, technician and participant? It started in my fifth year of ministry...
Minding Your 1s and 0s: Choosing Storage for the Worship Environment
Sept. 8, 2008: Any house of worship involved in recording and archiving its services is in need of a reliable, cost-effective storage or backup solution. While the most important features and capabilities of a storage system are capacity, speed and data protection, additional concerns specific to the worship market can make a significant difference in how well a storage solution benefits a church, its media department and its membership.
Audio over Ethernet (AoE)
Aug. 25, 2008: When digital audio consoles came along in pro sound systems, the workflow stayed unchanged for most audio installations. Digital audio recorders or computer based DAWs (desktop audio workstations) replaced analog recorders, and signal processing and switching became all digital.
Private Online Communities
Aug. 11, 2008: Since the inception of social networks, they have been a virtual Wild West; roads are dusty and unpaved, one group strives over others to maintain ownership of their territory, and unknown dangers lurk around every bend. While to some, this is exciting, to most within the Church, it has posed a problem and given them reason to pause when considering Web 2.0 advancements for their church community.
Digital Signage for Worship
July 28, 2008: Today’s digital signage technology allows a house of worship to provide worship enhancements within the sanctuary, and it also supports flexible delivery of video, text, and images to other parts of the building or campus. Read about how to ratchet up your church's communication efforts through this technology.
Acoustic Guitars: Models, Woods and Sound
June 30, 2008: Worship Pastor George Sabolick, Finger Style Guitarist Clinician and Product Specialist For Martin Guitars, gives us a breakdown of the different models of acoustic guitars there are to choose from. He also explains how they provide the tone and texture that worship leaders are in need of with all the different styles of worship music out there today.
Master Control Operations with Multichannel Audio
June 16, 2008: How do you perform a standard crossfade between a two channel and a multichannel program?
This advanced paper, written by Tim J. Carroll of Linear Acoustics, deals with audio metadata, and how you can work with it to control multi-channel audio.
How Do I Budget Without a Pastor’s Vision?
negotiate the justification for technical expenses. How do you write a proposal that makes sense to the people you need to present it to? Your job is to present ideas, concepts and, most importantly, solutions to the leadership so they see you adding value and not just spending money. This article gives you hints on how.
TOP 10 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE BUYING AN LED SIGN
May 19, 2008: Since digital signs require an investment, it's important to understand what to look for and what questions to ask of your sign dealer. Selecting an LED sign should be driven by your communications objectives. An informed buyer knows the right questions to ask and what features to consider. While it might seem that the process is complex, it's really not.
Building A Media Ministry
May 5, 2008: Attempting to motivate people is often an arduous process - especially if you are attempting to build a team and lead people in worship. As audiences become larger, and our use of technology raises the bar for the media we use, sometimes our worship experience ends up being not so great.
Loudspeakers and Room Acoustics
April 21, 2008: The selection of loudspeakers and their location is directly dependant on understanding the natural acoustics of the room. This process is organic in nature, as is the intersection of two very distinct disciplines; that of acoustics and electro-acoustics. This article provides an understanding of both of these.
Intelligent Lighting in Houses of Worship
April 7, 2008: So you want moving lights for your church. You’ve seen them at other churches, on TV, or read about them in magazines. Maybe you just want a “wiggle” light. Maybe you want a remote control follow spot. You’ve done some research and figured out a rough budget.
Reading the Signs: Knowing it's Time for a Technology Upgrade
March 24, 2008: As leaders and technical directors, you can ignore the signs (and reap the costly results of inaction), or embrace what the signs are telling you and begin to act. This article delivers helpful hints on how to watch for the signs and explains what to do once you have noticed them.
Loudspeakers: What Defines a "Working" System?
March 10, 2008: There is a point in all compression drivers where the metallic diaphragm begins to deform and warp in the attempt to reproduce sound, especially in the upper portions of the frequency response. This departure from uniform, purely piston-like motion is called 'breakup', and could in fact be happening, (or may already have happened) to your driver!
Rigging: A Quick Primer
Feb. 25, 2008: This article is a sneak peak at the full feature article on rigging that will be featured in the July/August 2008 issue of TFWM. In this sneak peak, we're going to look at some of the terminology associated with rigging, as an overview. Our mission is to improve the understanding of proper rigging practices in houses of worship.
Perimeter Profile
Feb. 11, 2008: A profile of Perimeter Church in Atlanta, Georgia. Learn how they made the most of the audio console at their disposal and what different variations of the system were required to accommodate their varied worship styles.
I CAN’T HEAR YOU- Acoustic Issues in Houses of Worship
Jan. 29, 2008: What are the biggest problems encountered in churches when dealing with acoustics? The answer is simple yet profound… understanding. This is often referred to as intelligibility. This is the one thing that most churches have big problems with and that holds people back in their worship services. Understanding means that you can clearly comprehend what is being communicated.
Top 5 Clues for Effective Audio Visual Details
Jan. 15, 2008: Tips to effectively engage and to serve your congregation through technology.
Setting Up A Duplication System
Jan. 2, 2008: Technology advances in disc duplication and printing means faster equipment, better supplies, and lower operating costs for churches that are getting in to duplication ministry. What steps do I need to take to setup a duplication system for my church?
