I left the live “hands on” sound business about the time digital mixing consoles started to gain wide acceptance. I was an early skeptic, but, obviously, this technology is ready for prime time. What started in use on major tours and on Broadway has filtered down to high schools and many churches with price points that are now competitive with the high end analog consoles from ten years ago.
An article I read today might just turn me in to a skeptic again. It details the decision of a Tennessee church to upgrade their sound system by using a computer (PC) based digital mixer that they put together by assembling components themselves that use the processor and other capabilities of a standard desktop computer to control their sound system.
The director of audio for the church estimates that they saved about $15,000 by taking this route, getting a high end digital mixer with 48 inputs and 48 outputs for just $6000.
It all sounded great until I got to the part where they talked about using a Dell computer for the heart of their system. I’ve never used a desktop computer that didn’t deliver up the “blue screen of death” or otherwise do something that demanded rebooting at least once a day.
I’ll be surprised if this solution to sound system upgrading proves to be workable.
“He Is Risen” takes on a whole new meaning if life after death requires a three minute boot cycle.
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