Hope Community Church - Technical Arts

XML Feed

2006-03-15T13:55:00.000-08:00

An xml feed has been set up in order to publish and make available the mp3 recordings we have available of our Sunday services on Apple Itunes. This creates a "Podcast" type environment which allows those individuals who use Itunes to subscribe to the Hope Podcast and automatically receive the messages and have them synched to their mp3 players.

CD Duplication

2006-01-17T11:08:00.000-08:00

This is an update to the process that we've been using for duplicating CDs of our services based upon the use of the Primera CD duplication system. After working with this system for several years we've found that we've reached a point in the number of CDs required to be burned on Sunday mornings that we've now changed are process to the following:

We've purchased a 7 cd duplication system. This is an all in one tower unit that has a master cd drive and 7 cdr drives for duplication. The device is stand alone as it doesn't need a computer attached in order to run. The process to burn is as simple as placing the cds in the drawers and pressing the RUN button for duplicaiton. Seven CDs take approximately one minute to complete.
The master CD is recorded and burned at the booth in the sanctuary and is brought to the recording area for duplication.
Labels are created using the ink jet printer included in the Primera system. Labels are now being pre applied a month at a time so that CDs are ready for duplication after the first service.

Fiber Cabling

2005-08-24T11:23:00.000-07:00

Our new building will be connected to the rest of our church campus using a fiber optic backbone. 100 megabyte switches are connected via fiber which then connects to the copper based CAT 5 connections via a standard patch panel.

An interesting aspect of fiber connections is that there is no real standard. The switches in place for this installation will use a combination of MT-RJ (pictured) and SC. Other standards include LC, ST, MU and MT to name a few.

New Building Update

2005-08-23T10:00:00.000-07:00

We've been very busy lately working on our latest building project which will include a number of new Technical Arts additions which I'll post in multiple updates.

From a networking perspective, the new building will allow us to incorporate a server which can provide a central location for distributing MP3 stored audio. This means all the classrooms and the sanctuary will have access to the same music. Jukebox software will be used on the client side to play the audio.

Classroom check-in processes will change and will use PowerChurch Plus as the main application for tracking attendance. The application supports bar coding and label printing to make the process fast and efficient.

M-Audio USB PreAmp

2005-06-22T07:12:00.000-07:00

M-Audio has an excellent USB preamp that can be used in a service recording process. We're using this device connected to our Allen and Heath board through the rear headphone 1/4 jack. The device is then plugged in USB to a notebook computer running the free open source audio application Audacity. The service is recorded in WAV format. Once the recording is complete, the notebook is then moved to the room which has the Bravo CD duplicator system in order to cut CD copies of the service.

Wireless MIC Update

2005-05-23T06:59:00.000-07:00

This may seem like common sense but it became apparent pretty quick after we started using our vocal wireless mics that we needed some way to easily identify who had which MIC from the sound booth. A fellow praise team member recommended "colored electrical tape" which works great! We now know which MIC is which no matter who picks one up and can adjust sound levels as needed. We also make certain to assign each vocal praise team member a specific color for the morning.

SLX2 SM58 Shure Wireless Mics

2005-03-09T11:04:00.000-08:00

We recently purchased several Shure UHF based wireless MICs for use by our praise team vocalists. This gives them much more freedom to move and introduces staging options that wouldn't be possible using "wired" MICs.

Below is additional info on this model from the Shure website:

The legendary Shure vocal mic is tuned to accentuate the warmth and clarity of lead and back-up vocals. Consistently the first choice of performers around the globe. The Shure SM58® is a unidirectional (cardioid) dynamic vocal microphone designed for professional vocal use in live performance, sound reinforcement, and studio recording. A highly effective, built-in, spherical filter minimizes wind and breath "pop" noise. A cardioid pickup pattern isolates the main sound source while minimizing unwanted background noise. The SM58 has a tailored vocal response for a sound which is a world standard. Rugged construction, a proven shock mount system, and a steel mesh grille ensure that even with rough handling, the SM58 will perform consistently. Outdoors or indoors, singing, speech - the SM58 is the overwhelming choice of professionals.

Allen&Heath GL2200 Mixing Console

2005-03-07T06:12:00.000-08:00

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The current sound console we're using in our sanctuary is an Allen-Heath GL2200. Here is a brief overview of the board from their website:

We built the GL2200 to be a ‘go anywhere, do anything’ desk. With its sturdy vertical PCB construction, dual front-of-house / monitor mixing mode switching, 4 groups, 6 switchable auxes, direct outs, line-up oscillator, talkback and more, this console can handle pretty much any live mixing or recording task you can throw at it. We’re thrilled that GL2200 has become the leading mixer in its class and that it’s used and loved by so many rental companies, bands and churches who need great sound with no fuss.

Digital Video Scene Editing

2005-02-17T08:12:00.000-08:00

I recently started video taping key services and dramas in order to make DVDs available of these events. I thought it would be neat to make this content available on the web as well using our streaming PHP product called Andromeda (www.turnstyle.com). Part of the process of making the video available includes cutting out the specific scenes we want to show and compressing the video to an acceptible level for viewing online.

I'm using a product called "VideoRedo" (www.drdsystems.com/VideoReDo/download.htm) to take the raw mpeg files I've shot and am using it to cut out the scenes. It's a very easy product to use and is specifically designed for this process.

I'm also using Ulead Video Studio for the compression portion of this project. Video Studio allows you to compress video in preparation to send it to a Pocket PC device. This changes the format from mpeg to wmv (viewable only on Windows based systems) but also gives you a good quality video and fairly small file size for uploading to your website.

Willow Creek Arts Conference

2005-02-07T08:51:00.000-08:00

Here is a link to an excellent church Arts conference I'm planning on attending this year and highly recommend.

http://www.willowcreek.com/events/arts/

Email Newsletter

2005-01-10T11:47:00.000-08:00

I recently set up an option available from our host provider which allows for a managed newsletter option to be included via our website. This involves the creation of a form which a user submits including their name and email address. Once this is submitted an auto generated email message is delivered to the user's address to confirm that a valid address has been submitted. If this is successful, the address is added to the address database. Newsletters can then be created and sent to the addresses in the database.

This is a great oppurtunity to keep members of the congregation updated on key events happening in the church!

WebCam Integration

2004-12-16T12:12:00.000-08:00

During a recent building expansion meeting for our latest church expansion project an idea was presented that it would be exciting to be able to have updates on the building progress available on the web. I set up a D-Link webcam with integrated web server capabilities in an outside window and it now uploads 4 snapshots per day to the internet which are available on our Hope Community Church web site. This is especially neat for those who want to get an update and don't live close to church.

Andromeda Streaming Jukebox: MP3 server for PHP & ASP

2004-12-09T18:38:00.000-08:00

As part of the first major refresh for the Hope Community Church website I wanted to include the ability to stream realtime audio and video from the site of past concerts and events. Andromeda is a PHP or ASP website server extension that fits this need perfectly. I highly recommend it as it can change your site into more than just a static website, more like a content distribution system!

Bravo CD/DVD disc publishing system by Primera

2004-10-05T06:03:00.000-07:00

We've recently switched from offering cassette tapes of the service to CDs. The advantage is far superior sound quality, the fact that the majority of the cars we now drive have CD players, and the switch from analog to digital gives us flexibility to use the content elsewhere. The recording is also uploaded to our website and made available as streaming content for those that would like to listen to the service online.

Primera offers several CD duplication systems which fit the bill in helping to burn service CDs. We're currently using the Primera Bravo unit which also allows us to print lables directly on the CD media itself.

The link for additional information on the Primera Bravo unit is:

http://www.primera.com/bravoII_disc_publisher.html

Worship Photos

2004-10-01T12:14:00.000-07:00

A great source for still worship photos which make excellent backgrounds during a worship service can be found at:

http://www.worshipphotos.com

Imovie Videos

2004-09-30T12:26:00.000-07:00

Short videos during a service can enhance the worship experience by giving the congregation additional information about a topic or event through the use of video and audio. This is especially appealing (and fun!) when these videos are done by the church itself. For those that have digital comcorders available and own Apple IMac systems, IMovie is an easy to use (and free) digital video editing application. It's very simple to take raw footage and enhance it with background music, narration, and dissolves/transitions to create a professional looking video :)

One thing to remember is to make certain that your lyric projection software supports the use of Apple QuickTime videos as several do not. An option is to convert the file saved in QuickTime to a standard video format such as mpeg or avi for projecting during the service.

More information on the Apple IMovie application can be found at:

http://www.apple.com/ilife/imovie/edit.html

Plus! Digital Media Edition

2004-09-30T07:13:00.000-07:00

Plus! Digital Media Edition includes an application called Photo Story 2 which is an excellent tool for creating still photo slide shows. It includes professional zooming techniques to enhance the presentation experience as well as background music track and narration. This is

a great tool to use on Sunday morning to recap an outreach event that has recently taken place!

The final presentation is saved as a windows formatted .WMV file which can be used within your lyric projection system...

An Hour on Sunday

2004-09-30T06:16:00.000-07:00

Willow Creek Association has published an excellent resource by Nancy Beach who currently is responsible for Media Ministries at Willow Creek Community Church in Barrington, Illinois. I recently puchased a copy while attending the Leadership Summit and am passing it on to members of our praise team staff to get additional insight into the worship experience. A quote from the web site says:

"If someone attended your church service last Sunday, would they say that it changed their life?"

Nancy is quoted as saying " "I am convinced that modern day miracles can take place when people enter our churches. The hour on Sunday can be a time of wonder, a time to quiet souls, spark deep emotion, and prompt turning points with eternal significance."—

An excellent resource which I highly recommend...

Worship Backgrounds

2004-09-30T06:08:00.000-07:00

Two excellent sites for ordering looping video backgrounds which can be used with your lyric projection system include:

http://www.worshipfilms.com
http://www.midnightoilproductions.net

Both sites also provide free weekly email articles on media ministry tips and suggestions for improving your worship experience.

EasyWorship - Worship Software for Churches

2004-09-28T17:49:00.000-07:00

EasyWorship is an excellent lyric presentation application which allows for live lyric projection during your service. It includes the ability to use live looping backgrounds as well as live video feeds underlying the lyrics. Lyrics are stored in a relational database which allows for easy query capability. I highly recommend it!

EasyWorship - Worship Software for Churches