Jeff Sandstrom
Who’s in Charge?
he execution phase follows the conception phase. This phase determines who’s in charge of what, how things are going to happen, and what the actionable steps are to get the required work done. Specific roles are key, whether it’s set designers or volunteer coordinators - your team is better when everyone knows who’s in charge of what. Establish the Division of Labor After you’ve defined the vision for your service, the next step is to assign tasks to team members. This phase is about making sure that the right people have the right tasks that play into their strengths. A division of labor is important for executing small or complex services. Delegate tasks to those who’s strengths best suit the task. Leveraging Volunteer Resources We all know that volunteers are the lifeline of our churches, no matter the size. Identifying a volunteer’s strengths is crucial for managing your resources well. Volunteers help ensure that all tasks are covered and that the event runs smoothly. Volunteer coordinators are a great position to have to help organize manpower. Utilize Tools for Planning In the detailed planning stage, whiteboards and spreadsheets are vital tools. Outline the workflow for your church and set deadlines for tasks to be completed. These tools also help communicate the division of tasks among your team. Organizational tools are key to help manage the event planning process. Visual aids can help track progress and delegate tasks. Build Community through Projects Delegating tasks helps with the practical parts of planning services or events. It also helps foster community and involvement within your church. Involving volunteers and community members can create strong connections that draw more people into your church’s ministry. Involving volunteers in church projects builds communi
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Equip Your Team for Service
Resourcing your team with detailed planning and communication is critical to your services. Prepare for music cues, lighting cues, and various other aspects of your service before you get in the room. Clear goals and wise communication helps improve your services and relationships with your team. Access to Necessary Materials Team members need access to all of the resources they need before the weekend. This includes song lists, arrangements, scripts, miscellaneous logistics information etc… When your team is equipped with the resources they need, they’ll be able to practice effectively and walk in feeling prepared for their role. It’s important to make materials accessible, in a location such as Planning Center for better team preparation. The team needs any resources that would help them learn new songs or new information before rehearsals. Specific Requirements for Technical Teams For tech teams, knowing all of the information isn’t just a suggestion - it’s vital. This involves communicating requirements for different parts of your service, such as the desired atmosphere during welcome moments or transitions. Deciding these details and communicating them beforehand lets your tech teams prepare and it improves the rapport you have as a team leader with your volunteers. Plan audio, video, and lighting requirements in advance. Communicate specific cues and settings necessary to support the service’s desired outcome. Creating Compelling Moments Creativity is necessary in planning church services with intention. This applies to every service you do, whether it’s one of the big ones like Easter or Christmas, or your typical weekend service. Give teams clear plans and creative ideas to execute that foster compelling moments for your congregation to engage with. Plan for dynamic and engaging service openers. Creativity and detailed planning are key to create compelling moments.
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Pad Player in Playback
PadPlayer, a feature of Playback from Multitracks.com, is incredibly versatile. PadPlayer can integrate with cloud-based soundtracks. It allows for seamless transitions and key changes. PadPlayer is ideal for moments of improvisation or structured worship sets. Learn how to manipulate ambient pads for different sonic textures. In addition, learn how to use PadPlayer with song section pre-roll.
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Encoder Mode on the DM7
The encoder mode on the DM7 draws on the functionality seen in the Yamaha RIVAGE series. For engineers looking to streamline their workflow on the console, Jeff and Russ take a deep dive into how the encoder mode can be used to efficiently adjust various parameters across multiple channels.
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Mixing Drums on the DM7
Jeff and Russ spend some time dialing in a drum mix on the Yamaha DM7. They focus on fine-tuning drum sounds, starting from the ground up with a flat EQ and no dynamics, and gradually shape the tonality and dynamics of each drum component.
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Yamaha DM7 Console Overview
Jeff Sandstrom from MxU and Russ Long from Yamaha take a look at their newest console, the DM7. Gain an in-depth overview of the DM7’s features, capabilities, and enhancements for your mix.