Whether you’re a church audio engineer—Broadcast, Front of House, professional, or volunteer—this article is for you. I know my content occasionally stirs up controversy; after all, I’m just one voice sharing my experience. Disagreement is fine, but here’s one thing I’m certain of: bad days happen. If you haven’t had one yet, you probably haven’t been at this very long. And that’s okay—because sooner or later, it will happen.
We’ve discussed this before: when mixing Front of House (FOH), missed musical cues or solos are fleeting mistakes—gone in milliseconds. As long as you nail the big-ticket items, like ensuring the pastor’s mic is on when he speaks (and off when he’s not on stage), smooth transitions, and keeping volume levels in check, most people, including church leadership, won’t notice or stress over the small details. However, in broadcast, your mix lives online, subject to repeated scrutiny. Here, precision isn’t just suggested—it’s essential, as you’re aiming for a polished, studio-quality mix every time.
In either scenario, we tend to be our own harshest critics. Over the years, I’ve witnessed some significant failures. Despite this, very few incidents have led to dismissals, and none were based on single events. One example was an engineer who was consistently late and unprepared. After several warnings, the final straw was when he fell asleep during a service and missed a critical cue.
Learning from Mistakes
Mistakes are an inevitable part of the job. What matters most is how you respond to them. When you have a rough day, take some time to reflect on what went wrong. Was it a missed cue? A poor mix? Equipment malfunction? Identifying the issue is the first step toward improving your process and preventing the same mistake from happening again. The key is not to dwell on the mistake but to use it as a learning opportunity. Remember, it’s the repetition of mistakes that we want to avoid.
The Human Factor: Giving and Receiving Grace
Mistakes aren’t always technical; sometimes, they’re human. For example, it’s not uncommon for a singer to accidentally pick up the wrong mic, which can throw off the entire mix. As an engineer, you can’t always control these situations, but you can prepare by labeling everything clearly and ensuring that everyone on stage knows their equipment. When mistakes like this happen, it’s essential to show grace, just as you would hope to receive grace when you make a mistake. We’re all human, and we all mess up. The important thing is to learn from these experiences and move forward.
Don’t Flirt with Failure
If you’ve recently discovered a new process, make sure you are well-versed in how it will fit into your regular workflow. Don’t try something new and untested for the first time on a Sunday morning. Avoid self-inflicted failures. I probably shouldn’t have to say this, but I will; updating firmware on Sunday morning is a rookie mistake—just don’t do it.
I have a friend who mixes FOH for a large church. Like many of us, he uses Virtual Sound Check (VSC), recorded at the weekly rehearsal, to prepare and fine-tune his mix before Sunday. During one VSC rehearsal, he used a feature on most digital consoles called “Solo-In-Place” (SIP). This function, when engaged, makes the cue button on every channel a real-time SOLO button, muting every other channel except the one you pressed. Unfortunately, he forgot to turn off the SIP function for Sunday and accidentally hit a cue button during worship, which muted the entire worship band.
As I’ve said before, I want everyone who reads my content to apply what works for them and take the rest as food for thought. I rarely say “never,” but in this case, my recommendation is unless you are already using SIP and have a verifiable checklist to ensure it is disengaged on game day, just don’t use it at all.
The Importance of Consistency
While everyone has an off day now and then, consistency is key in this field. One-off mistakes are forgivable, but repeated errors can signal a deeper issue. As an audio engineer, your goal should be to build trust with your team by being reliable and consistent in your work. This means paying attention to detail, being prepared, and always striving to do your best. When you focus on consistency, you not only improve your mixes but also gain the confidence of those you work with.
A Message to Church Leadership: Understanding the “Fat-Finger Event”
To church leadership, here’s something to keep in mind: if your audio engineer is generally spot-on and rarely misses a big moment, such as turning the pastor’s mic on and off at the right times, then an occasional “fat-finger event” doesn’t need to be called out. These big-ticket mistakes are often so obvious that it’s unnecessary to bring them up. Pointing them out can feel condescending, and more often than not, the engineer is already acutely aware of the mistake and feels the weight of it. Remember to give grace. It will be pretty clear to everyone if a longer conversation is necessary.
A Final Word to New Audio Engineers
If you’re just starting out in this field, don’t be discouraged by your mistakes. In fact, some of those early big mistakes can be a good thing, as they are lessons you’ll likely never forget or repeat. They teach you more than any manual or training ever could. So, take those moments in stride, learn from them, and remember that each mistake makes you a better engineer.
Moving Forward with Confidence
A friend and mentor used to tell me, “Fear is not a fruit of the Spirit.” Showing up prepared, humble, and flexible every time will build your confidence and, consequently, your team’s confidence in you. Bad days happen to everyone, and as an audio engineer, you’re bound to have your share of them. The key is not to let them rattle you. Learn from your mistakes, strive for consistency, and bring in other teammates whose actions affect yours.
And to the leaders who work with these engineers, offer grace and understanding, especially when dealing with isolated incidents. By fostering a supportive environment, you allow your audio team to grow, learn, and ultimately create the best worship experience possible.
I look forward to hearing how you encourage your teams to overcome those bad days. You can contact me at rcochran@worshipfacility.com. Until then, don’t forget to listen!
