October 29, 2020

Church Service Streaming Ups Ante for Wireless Microphone Systems

"We stream to 9 locations and online, if the word isn’t heard it's game over."

While streaming a K-12 class is proving to be a technology headache for teachers, students, and parents alike, many churches have long embraced streaming their services, some with elaborate broadcast capabilities and large weekly audiences online.

And churches that have not invested in this technology in recent years to stream their services are now rapidly doing so and in some cases discovering a steep learning curve. I caught up with a number of technical directors in churches as well as the integrators and consultants supporting them to see how that transition is going with a focus on wireless microphone and in-ear monitor systems.

Kevin Butler - Journey Church

"Wireless microphone signal dropouts and overall clarity of the message impacts those online way more than in person. We’ve found that the dichotomy between room attendance and online attendance as it relates to retention is worlds apart. Those online are directly impacted by mix and video choices. If the camera is shaking or the mics are cutting in and out (not to mention the 998 other things that can go wrong), people online have a harder time “staying focused”. Closing out of the stream because of technical problems is the equivalent to someone in-person getting up and leaving. But it’s much easier to leave a stream than the building."

Journey Bozeman - Stage and Camera Ops During COVID

Journey Church in Bozeman, MT. Live streaming production

Kent Morris Cornerstone Media Group

"Any wireless microphone dropout or performance issue is readily apparent on a livestream in contrast to an in-person live event where other activities and the immersive aspect of the venue often obscure RF issues for the audience.

We have seen a marked increase in focus on improving RF up-time attributable to livestream as the standard mode of connection during the pandemic. As a result, even smaller churches with only a few channels of wireless mics and perhaps one or two IEM systems are asking about antenna distribution and combination systems to eliminate signal dropouts and interference problems.

For ministries seeking a solution but concerned about the cost, I offer a direct comparison to replacing the roof on the sanctuary. If the roof were to leak, the church would find a way to fix it. We can deliver an engaging, immersive online live-streaming experience for three thousand people and offer them a "no barrier" entry point to participating. Live-streaming is today's church missionary and should be equipped to deliver the message clearly and without interruption."

Vox Church Diversity Fin Antenna for Wireless Microphones

Vox Church Live Stream Soundstage with Diversity Fin Antenna

Geno Mulcahy - Vox Church

"As of March 13^th the entire worship community found itself in a unique but also challenging situation. Streaming in any form had suddenly become the new norm but most small churches in our area in New England aren’t built for streaming. Churches down south and out west have been perfecting streaming for quite some time and they have large communities of congregants that support this mission.

I have been fighting the good fight to get churches to understand the simple need for proper antennas and RF distribution for their wireless microphones and IEMs, but now the entire world can see and hear signal dropouts in perfect detail on a live stream.

We also do what is called point to point streaming where I send various channels to our other church campuses so the band at the remote locations can play along with the main worship band at our broadcast location. Here again the wireless is critical because if the Worship leader's mic fails, it not only fails in the live performance area also at 9 other locations. This isn’t an option.

We are still learning everyday and the one word of advice that I share with many fellow churches is this: “What are the viewers and attendees there for? To hear the word to be spoken clearly, consistently and without interruption”. This all starts with a complete and properly deployed RF system that will get repeatable results and allow you the time to address other areas of concerns with confidence .