Hardware configuration for using recorded accompaniment

In my last post, I discussed that the need for recorded accompaniment necessitated a better plan for controlling the recordings while leading music from the pulpit at the front of the auditorium.  In this post, I will discuss the hardware configuration that I came up with.

As previously mentioned, our church already owns a set of piano accompaniment CDs published by Faith Music Missions.  Providentially, a generous member donated an Apple iPod Touch for me to use since they were now using an iPhone and no longer had a need for the iPod.  Since I had already been using iTunes on my home Mac Mini for many years, I figured that I could import the accompaniment tracks into iTunes (using a separate library to keep the music separate from my personal tunes).  I would then have the ability to create weekly playlists and upload them to the iPod.

To get the sound from the iPod to the PA system, I initially thought about using a cable but that would have required a very long run to reach the mixer and would just add one more cable to wrangle during our weekly setup and teardown (our church meets in a rented facility).  After researching various wireless options, I purchased the Audioengine AW2 Premium Wireless Adapter for iPod which consists of a wireless transmitter that plugs into the iPod’s dock connector and a receiver unit which plugs into A/C power and into the mixer via audio cable.

The AW2 has turned out to be a very reliable and noise-free wireless option. However, I have discovered that the transmitter must be plugged into the iPod before powering up the iPod or it will not always be recognized.  There is also a handling issue.  Since the AW2 transmitter is simply a friction fit into the iPod dock connector, I have to be careful when handling it so as not to dislodge the AW2 which does stick out about 1-1/4″ from the iPod.  Most of the time, the iPod it sitting flat on the pulpit so handling is not an issue. However, I do have to pick up the iPod and operate it away from a flat surface from time-to-time so I have to be careful.

The audio cable that connects the AW2 to the PA mixer uses an 1/8″ stereo connector from the AW2 receiver and two 1/4″ (L/R) unbalanced connectors plugged into a channel on the mixer. Some mixers have RCA (red/white) inputs for stereo channels as well if you already have a suitable cable.  You could also use a tape or auxiliary input on the mixer instead of an input channel but you need to make sure the input has the ability to route the signal to a monitor feed as well as the main output (more about the monitor issue later).

Once all components are plugged in and powered up, starting a song on the iPod will cause blue indicators to light up on both the AW2 transmitter and receiver.  If you pause a song or stop it, the lights generally go out after some amount of time.  Another issue I have noticed is that when I first play a song after several minutes of not playing anything, there is a slight 1 second or so delay before the blue light comes on and the music starts.  If your track has little or no delay before the music starts, this is noticeable as the music intro could be slightly clipped before becoming audible.  Tracks that have a second or two of silence before the music starts help eliminate this issue but it is something to be aware of.

I’ve read in some of the Amazon reviews that a few folks were having interference issues in homes with wireless routers and/or cordless phones.  We have none of these components in our auditorium but we do have three Shure wireless microphone receivers sitting right next to the AW2 receiver on top of the PA cabinet.  Even so, I have never detected any interference issues in the past 2+ years.  The distance between the iPod and AW2 receiver is generally less than 15 feet or so in our small auditorium.

I mentioned earlier in this post about the need for a monitor feed of the recorded accompaniment playing from the iPod.  With a live accompanist playing the piano at the front of the auditorium where I am leading music, a monitor is not needed due to the proximity and volume of the acoustic piano.  However, when recordings are playing through the PA main speakers (which are generally pointed away from where I am standing to avoid feedback from the pulpit mic), it is difficult for me to hear the music once everyone starts singing.  With a live accompanist, the pianist is (hopefully) following the conducting of the music leader.  However, when using a recording, the music leader must follow the recording and therefore must be able to hear it clearly especially in regards to the tempo.

To facilitate this, I have a small Galaxy Audio Hot Spot Compact Vocal Monitor on a stand right next to the pulpit so I can hear the music at all times and stay on tempo.  The monitor also has a volume control so I can regulate the volume accordingly once an initial level is set by the sound man.

Overall, I have found the Audioengine AW2 and iPod setup to be reliable for remotely controlling music recordings.  I have also tried using Apple’s Airport Express instead of the Audioengine AW2.  I will post another article about this setup in the near future.

Accompaniment alternatives when a pianist/organist is not available

There is one thing you may have noticed from my first playlist post on February 3, 2013:  I use either recorded piano accompaniment or my guitar for congregational singing.  Our local church family is relatively small (<50 members).  Although we have a few folk who play the piano and do provide special music from time-to-time, we do not currently have anyone who is comfortable accompanying our congregational singing via piano on an ongoing basis.  This has been my biggest challenge over the past 2-1/2 years as music leader.

I can accompany on guitar for many songs, but with over 800 songs in our hymn book, it would be a full-time job for me to figure out and practice the accompaniment for a lot of the hymns that we sing especially since the hymns are not always written in what I like to call GFKs (Guitar Friendly Keys).  I am not a professional musician and do not have the skills or experience to keep up with the amount of transcribing that would be required on a weekly basis. So, I like to mix it up with a combination of live guitar accompaniment (where my skills allow) and recorded piano tracks from various sources.  We do have occasional guest pianists who provide accompaniment when I know in advance that they are coming and I can work up a playlist with them.

In August 2010 when I was first faced with the responsibility of leading the music, I had to come up with a quick plan for accompaniment.  Our church had previously purchased a set of piano accompaniment CDs for use with a portable PA at a weekly nursing home outreach so I figured that would be a good place to start.  It turns out that this was a good move since the recordings are some of the best quality that I have found thus far.  Using CDs during the service would not have been convenient though since I can’t easily switch between songs especially if they are on different disks and it would require the sound man to control the CD player which would be out of my reach at the podium.

In my next post, I will elaborate on the hardware configuration that I came up with which has served well for managing and controlling the recorded music.

Playlist for February 3, 2013

As is the custom of our church on the first Sunday of each month, we partake of the Lord’s Supper following the morning worship .  During communion, I have chosen two quiet and meditative guitar solos by David Chapman from his Sun of My Soul CD.  Recorded piano accompaniment from Faith Music Missions is used for most of the morning music as noted except for “His Eye Is on the Sparrow” which I will accompany on guitar since I do not have a suitable recording.

Evening worship features the gospel music of Albert E. Brumley.  All accompaniment is provided by me on a Taylor 414ce guitar.

Sunday School
Chorus – “God Can Do Anything” (piano)

Morning Worship
Hymn – “The Solid Rock” (piano)
Hymn – “His Eye Is on the Sparrow” (guitar)
Offering – “In the Garden”, Ken  (guitar solo)
Hymn  – “Does Jesus Care” (piano)
The Lord’s Supper – “Breathe On Me, Breath of God”, “Fairest Lord Jesus”, David Chapman (solo guitar recording)
Hymn – “Near To The Heart Of God” (piano)

Evening Worship (featuring the music of Albert E. Brumley)
Hymn – “I’ll Fly Away” (guitar)
Hymn – “Jesus, Hold My Hand” (guitar)
Special – “I’ll Meet You In The Morning”, Appalachian Express (a cappella vocal recording)
Hymn – “This World is Not My Home” (guitar)

Tune my heart to sing Thy grace

In August of 2010, our small church found itself without a music leader or accompanist. At the time, I was serving a 4-year term as deacon and had been the treasurer for nearly 5 years.  As many of you know, in a small congregation, you often wear many hats.  Since I was one of only a few who had any musical experience, I stepped up to the plate and offered my meager skills to lead our small flock in singing praises to God.  In the past 2 and 1/2 years, I have learned much about worshipful music and the history behind it.  I started this site to capture the lessons I have learned so that I might be a help to other lay/volunteer music leaders (and vice-versa) who find themselves with limited skills and resources but with a desire to tune their hearts and “call for songs of loudest praise.”

Ken, the Accidental Hymnologist