The STEAM sound check has 3 major goals:
- Ensure each audio device is mapped to the expected channel.
- Gain stage the audio signal through the signal processing path.
- Verify in-ear mix levels and ensure desired channels are present.
To accomplish these goals, we ask that we preview the expected audio levels for each channel at the loudest they will be during the duration of the set/service. This means that musicians must sing/play as if they are leading and soloing their selected soundcheck content. Vocal warm-ups should be completed before sound check to ensure loudness, and prevent any strain or injury :)
The sound check should be performed in the following order:
- Tech Deck talkback should be gain staged first, then other talkback channels.
- Worship Leader vocals next, to facilitate communication, if needed.
- All other vocalists individually per channel - with accompaniment, if necessary.
- All instruments individually per channel, and per patch if used.
Finally, once gain staging is completed during the sound check, no level changes should be made by musicians outside of pre-programmed patch changes. Any manual changes to levels will require a new gain staging session.