The Church Sound Podcast with Prentiss L. Thompson

In this episode of The Church Sound Podcast, host Prentiss L. Thompson, along with guest Stephen Bent, tackles an often-overlooked challenge in church audio ministry—serving in worship environments outside of your familiar cultural or ethnic tradition. For audio engineers, it’s not just about faders and frequencies; it’s about understanding the heartbeat of the congregation, the unique flow of worship, and the cultural nua...

In this episode of The Church Sound Podcast, host Prentiss L. Thompson sits down with audio engineer Preston Russ to unpack one of the trickiest elements in live church sound—mixing guitars. From electric to acoustic, guitars can easily dominate or get lost in the mix if not handled with intention.

Prentiss and Preston break down practical strategies for shaping guitar tone in a worship setting, balancing the band with the ...

As a content creator, your voice is your main instrument—and the microphone you choose can make or break how your audience receives your message. Not all microphones are created equal, and what works for one creator may not be the best fit for another. In this discussion, we’re exploring microphone comparisons specifically designed for content creators, podcasters, streamers, and online instructors.

First, let’s talk about ...

Serving in the media ministry is more than pushing buttons—it’s about stewardship, focus, and creating a space where people can encounter God without distraction. But let’s be real: too often, media teams get caught scrolling, texting, or checking social feeds during service. The result? Missed cues, audio mistakes, awkward camera shots, and ultimately, a break in the flow of worship.

In this episode, host Prentiss L. Thomp...

What separates a good worship moment from a powerful, Spirit-led experience? In this impactful episode of The Church Sound Podcast, host and audio veteran Prentiss L. Thompson shares the Top 3 Tips every praise and worship singer should know to serve more effectively—from the stage to the sound booth.

Drawing from years of working behind the board and collaborating with worship teams across denominations and styles, Prentis...

In this focused Midweek Service edition of The Church Sound Podcast, host Prentiss L. Thompson shares a heartfelt message to pastors and ministry leaders—three essential tips from the perspective of an experienced audio engineer who’s spent years behind the board, in the booth, and in the trenches of Sunday and midweek worship services.

Too often, there's a disconnect between leadership and the tech team—one rooted not in i...

In this enlightening episode, we partner with Sweetwater, a renowned retailer of audio and musical equipment, to explore the intricacies of church production. Join us as we sit down with Sweetwater's experts to discuss the unique challenges and opportunities faced by churches in optimizing their audio, video, and lighting setups. From selecting the right equipment to troubleshooting common issues, we delve into practical t...

In this captivating episode, we delve into the revolutionary realm of Cue Audio technology, exploring its transformative impact on audio production and live events. Join us as we uncover the intricacies of this cutting-edge technology with leading experts in the field. From seamless audio synchronization to immersive sound experiences, we dissect the innovative features and applications that make Cue Audio a game-changer i...

Join us for an enlightening episode as we delve into the art of mixing drums for church worship with esteemed engineer Frank Brown Jr. In this session, Frank shares his wealth of experience in sculpting the perfect drum sound to enhance the spiritual experience of congregants. From choosing the right mics to crafting a balanced mix that uplifts the worship atmosphere, Frank provides invaluable insights and techniques for b...

Kent Margraves joins the conversation explaining RF signals for wireless systems. Kent has mixing audio for about 30 years  He’s an Author and Engineer, served as a worship audio director for nearly a decade led hundreds of audio seminars and workshops.  Listen, Laugh and Learn

If you would like to support the show, we would appreciate it. Thank You

PAYPAL - VENMO 

https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/6J7MTKPZNMLRG

http:...

Clear, intelligible sound isn’t a luxury—it’s a lifeline for congregants with hearing loss. Yet many churches still struggle to offer compliant, user-friendly assistive-listening solutions. In this episode of The Church Sound Podcast, host Prentiss L. Thompson demystifies the tech, the terminology, and the practical steps required to serve your hearing-impaired members with excellence.

We zero-in on Listen Technologies, a m...

In this eye-opening episode of The Church Sound Podcast, host Prentiss L. Thompson tackles a hard truth in ministry: the disconnect between expectation and preparation. Many churches desire broadcast-quality sound and visual excellence but fall short in equipping their teams with the training and tools needed to deliver it. Prentiss unpacks the cultural pressures, the silent assumptions, and the behind-the-scenes frustrati...

In this heartfelt and practical episode of The Church Sound Podcast, host Prentiss Thompson dives into the powerful intersection of technology, service, and spiritual growth within media ministry. Through the lens of a personal story that shaped his own journey, Prentiss reveals how building a system of serving in your church’s media ministry can elevate not only technical excellence but also deepen your relationship with ...

In this powerful episode of The Church Sound Podcast, host Prentiss L. Thompson dives deep into one of the most overlooked but essential elements of thriving ministry: teamwork in action. Ministry doesn’t happen in isolation—it’s a collaborative effort built on trust, communication, and shared responsibility. But what happens when that teamwork breaks down?

Prentiss shares a real-world situation from a church ministry setti...

In this insightful episode of The Church Sound Podcast, we explore the spiritual and technical impact of a small but powerful tool: the PFL (Pre-Fader Listen) button. Guided by the thought-provoking question, “Are you mixing by faith… or by taste?”, we examine how intentional listening can elevate both your mix and your ministry. The PFL button isn’t just a function—it’s your tasting spoon, allowing you to isolate and exam...

In this essential episode of The Church Sound Podcast, host Prentiss L. Thompson unpacks one of the most overlooked aspects of church tech training—learning the language of an audio engineer. If you’re building a volunteer-based sound team, communication breakdowns can easily derail your service quality. That’s why developing a shared vocabulary is critical—not just for mixing and running gear, but for fostering unity, cla...

In this episode of The Church Sound Podcast, we dive into a critical conversation about the impact of social media on ministry with our special guest — a seasoned media pastor and the author of the devotional book "Unplugged."
Together, we explore how churches can harness the power of digital platforms to effectively spread the Gospel, engage their communities, and expand their reach beyond traditional walls.
You'l...

In this episode of The Church Sound Podcast, host Prentiss L. Thompson dives into one of the most debated topics in church audio: volume. How loud is too loud during worship? Is your mix inspiring worship or causing complaints from the pews?

We’ll unpack the technical, spiritual, and cultural dynamics of volume in church services—addressing questions like:

• What’s the ideal decibel range for worship environments?
• How do yo...

Your sound system is only as reliable as the care you give it—and neglecting it can lead to complete failure at the worst moments. In this final installment of our Top 5 Church Audio Mistakes series, host Prentiss L. Thompson explores the silent killer of great church audio: failing to maintain your equipment.

From crackling microphones to faulty cables and dusty soundboards, poor maintenance can turn a flawless service int...