Front of house, or FOH, is what we call our sound board engineer. Also known as, soundguy/girl. They are the ones who hold your sound in the palm of their hands. We are all different kinds of churches. Some churches have a FOH who have gone to school to pursue an education in music and audio engineering. Others, have someone who was willing to fill in the need for the day. No matter how they got there, one thing you want to develop with your FOH is a relationship.
All musicians want to be heard clearly through the house mix, it’s a general fact. We work hard on our music and it’s always a bummer when you nail a solo or part you’ve been working hard on and nobody can hear it. A relationship with your FOH can help you achieve each other’s goals. You’re music being heard, and your sound person’s ear development for the worship team.
Example: You’re on a stage one overdrive for a verse, chorus, and when an instrumental comes along you kick into a dirtier drive and the front of house brings up your fader to allow your solo to cut through momentarily. Solo is done, your fader comes back to its original mix.
It takes time, let your FOH know what you like, what to expect, and in return ask them what you could do for them. Is your amp too loud? Can you bring down the level of your effects? Come to each other willing to cooperate, not to lord over one another. Trust me, butting heads with someone that you’re to trust your sound in is probably not in your best interest. Work together, let your team’s goal of worshiping the Lord come with ease and patience.
I hope this has blessed you and would love to hear stories here, or on Instagram or Twitter @anhonestsound!
TIP: Your FOH is just as important to your worship team as the musicians and singers. They man and engineer your sound and deliver your melodies to the church.
-AO
anhonestsound.com 