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Churchfront Worship and Tech Podcast

Churchfront with Jake Gosselin
Churchfront Worship and Tech Podcast
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  • Real (GOOD) Drums for churches - Churchfront Podcast | Joey Parish
    Apply to Join Churchfront Premium Apply to Join Churchfront Pro Free Worship and Production Toolkit Shop Our Online Courses Join us at the Churchfront Conference Follow Churchfront on Instagram or TikTok: @churchfront Follow on Twitter: @realchurchfront Gear we use to make videos at Churchfront Musicbed SyncID: MB01VWQ69XRQNSN   Church Front Worship and Tech Podcast - Episode with Joey Parish Guest: Joey Parish - Founder of Parish Drums Episode Description Join us for an in-depth conversation with Joey Parish, founder of Parish Drums and longtime touring drummer with Chris Tomlin and Shane & Shane. Discover how one drummer's need for portable gear led to a complete rethinking of drums designed specifically for worship contexts. From canvas drum heads to brush techniques, Joey shares practical insights for worship teams looking to solve volume and space challenges. Key Topics Covered Joey's Background Started playing in church in 5th/6th grade with a pawn shop drum kit Early touring with Chris Tomlin (the "little east Texas guy in a cowboy hat") Years on the road with Shane & Shane, learning nuanced, acoustic-focused drumming Transition from bus tours to flying and the birth of Parish Drums The Parish Drums Innovation The Problem: Need for consistent, portable drums for fly dates The Research: Existing portable kits were too heavy (70+ lbs without cases) The Solution: Custom-built nesting kit under 50 lbs, fits in airline luggage Evolution: From 14" bass drum to current 18" bass drum design Design Philosophy Wood Choices: Mahogany exterior, poplar interior (softer, less dense woods) Bearing Edges: Rounded edges for less resonance and more control Shell Depth: Shorter drums for quicker decay Goal: "Dead, thumpy" drums that don't require extensive muffling Revolutionary Canvas Heads Patent Pending: First-of-its-kind cotton canvas drum heads Benefits: Extremely quiet, removes high frequencies, maintains attack Testing: Road-tested extensively during Shane & Shane Christmas tour Sound: Natural muffling without sacrificing musical quality Playing Techniques for Worship Brush Advocacy: Nylon bristle brushes for volume control and articulation Brush Development: Creating improved brushes to solve durability issues Dynamic Range: Learning to play from whisper-quiet to full volume Adaptability: Removing drums as needed to fit the room/moment Practical Tips for Worship Drummers In-Ear Monitor Mixing Counter-intuitive Tip: Turn problem instruments UP in your mix to naturally play softer Simplification: Turn off crowd mics, choir mics to maintain timing focus Click Track: Use plenty of click for solid timing foundation Transitioning from Rock to Worship Understand the Mission: Create an environment for corporate worship Know the Songs: Learn originals thoroughly before adapting Build Vocabulary: Play with different worship leaders to develop adaptability Embrace Dynamics: Move beyond on/off playing to gradual dynamic shifts Room Adaptation Play the Room: Adjust setup and dynamics to fit the space Less is More: Sometimes removing elements serves the music better Acoustic Partnership: Leave space for other instruments to fill Technical Insights Microphone Approaches Versatility: Parish drums work well with any standard drum mics Preference: Beta 98s on toms for wood hoop compatibility Studio Standard: 421s on toms, large diaphragm dynamics on kick Monitor Mix: Often removes bottom snare mic from personal mix for clarity Drum Tuning and Setup Locking Tension Rods: Maintain tuning stability during transport Head Choices: Evans 56 Calftone (synthetic calfskin) for natural feel Snare Wires: Uses 12-strand instead of typical 42-strand for volume control Shell Materials: Prioritizes control over projection and resonance Shane Bernard Collaboration Insights Musical Partnership Extreme Dynamics: Shane plays from inaudible whisper to full volume Percussive Approach: Shane thinks like a drummer on guitar Negative Space: Musicians fill each other's gaps rather than competing Real-time Adaptation: Shared musical language allows for spontaneous changes Learning from a Master Observation Period: Spent month doing sound before playing, learning the parts Musical Vocabulary: Built understanding of Shane's musical thinking Dynamic Response: Learned to match and complement extreme dynamic ranges Business and Ministry Integration The Worship Initiative Partnership Resource Support: Financial and operational backing for growth Shared Mission: Equipping churches with better tools for worship Content Creation: Part of comprehensive worship training platform Church Applications Volume Control: Primary solution for churches struggling with drum volume Space Efficiency: Fits in corners, small stages, intimate settings Aesthetic: Eliminates need for drum shields in many cases Consistency: Same sound every service, regardless of room acoustics Resources and Connect Parish Drums Website: parishdrums.com Innovation: Canvas heads and improved brush designs coming soon Focus: Drums designed specifically for worship contexts The Worship Initiative Website: theworshipinitiative.com Content: Songwriting, heart training, instrument training Mission: Comprehensive worship leader development Quotable Moments "I learned to do more with less. When you're touring with buses and trucks and trailers, you end up bringing more than you need... it really helped move me back to these are the fundamentals. This is man, you're here to keep time and occasionally do something interesting maybe." "Every kit in every church is just covered in gaff tape and gels and big fat snare drum rings... So what I wanted to do was out of the box have just the dead, most dead thumpy drums with the least amount of resonance." "If you just Google 'drum muffle,' you can just scroll for pages and pages and pages... everybody that I know in my whole career has been spent trying to tame frequencies, overtones, all that stuff." "We want to sing together. We want to praise the Lord... We want to create an environment where that's the most possible." Episode Length: Approximately 65 minutes Host: Luke Jackson Production: Church Front Worship and Tech Podcast
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  • Carson Bruce | The Worship Keys - Churchfront Worship and Tech Podcast
    Podcast Notes: Interview with Carson Bruce of The Worship Keys Episode Overview In this episode of the Church Front Worship and Tech Podcast, Luke Jackson interviews Carson Bruce, founder of The Worship Keys platform—a resource dedicated to helping keys players in worship settings improve their skills and understanding of their role. About Carson Bruce & The Worship Keys Founder of The Worship Keys platform, which focuses on four main areas: music theory, gear/software, ministry, and industry Classically trained pianist who now lives in Nashville The Worship Keys podcast releases weekly on Wednesdays, featuring interviews with keys players Origin Story Carson created the platform because he "wished something like this existed" when he was younger Piano has been central to his personal faith journey—often serving as his "prayer closet" Noticed a gap in resources specifically for worship keys players Essential Skills for Worship Pianists Heart Posture: "If your heart is not in ministry...you're not going to stay on that stage satisfied" Playing by Ear: Learning to listen and replicate what you hear is crucial Nashville Number System: Understanding music theory through the number system Ear Training: Practice playing unfamiliar worship songs by ear, then verify with chord charts Focus on Fundamentals: Learn to play well before worrying about gear Transitioning from Classical to Contemporary Classical training often emphasizes sight-reading and technical precision Worship contexts require playing by ear, improvisation, and band awareness Many pianists struggle with this transition because the learning approaches are fundamentally different Nashville Number System for Keys Players Despite some believing it's mainly useful for guitarists, Carson advocates for pianists using the Nashville Number System because: It facilitates whole-band communication Makes modulation easier Numbers are quicker to call out than complex chord names Works internationally across language barriers Promotes collaboration rather than piano-centric leadership Common Mistakes Worship Keys Players Make Overplaying the Low End: Creates muddiness when there's already a bass player Doing Too Much: Sometimes simplicity serves the song better Playing Full Triads in Both Hands: Consider simpler voicings like fifths or suspended chords Not Understanding Context: Different musical styles require different approaches Technology Tips Software Options MainStage: Good for Mac users, moderate learning curve Ableton Live: Most powerful but steeper learning curve Sunday Keys App: User-friendly iPad app with AI capabilities ($120) Hardware Highlight Atmosphere Pedal by Aerospace Audio: Physical pedal with high-quality atmospheric pads built in Allows pianists to trigger pads without needing a computer on stage Features 10 different pad sounds based on atmospheric layers Small footprint allows it to be placed directly on the keyboard Keys Players' Rigs Carson's typical setup includes: Arturia KeyLab MIDI controller MainStage software for sounds Focusrite 18i20 interface when running tracks Software from Sunday Sounds or Aerospace Audio for pads Decision-Making for Keys Equipment Carson's advice: If your keyboard works well, keep it and upgrade your sounds through software Consider Sunday Keys app for simplicity and ease of use MainStage for Mac users who want more control Ableton Live for those willing to invest time in learning a comprehensive system Use iPad apps when available to avoid complex computer setups Sunday Keys App Highlights Features AI-generated sounds based on text or emoji descriptions Allows easy sharing of setlists between multiple campuses Affordable one-time purchase with optional annual updates Limitation: Cannot currently import custom-created patches Artists That Inspire Carson Red Rocks Worship (particularly Spooky Scott) Elevation Rhythm (especially "Goodbye Yesterday") The Ramp Worship from Hamilton, Alabama Various gospel artists for technical inspiration Connect with The Worship Keys Instagram: @theworshipkeys YouTube: The Worship Keys Email: [email protected] Key Quotes "If you're not using the number system as a pianist, maybe you're not meaning to, but it's like you're trying to say one up almost." "It's like buying a Lamborghini and driving it in first gear everywhere you go." "The piano was once looked at as a secular instrument that you only play in the bars and the pubs, and then it was brought into the church and people had big problems with that." "A lot of times they're asking you to do less in a full band context." Apply to Join Churchfront Premium Apply to Join Churchfront Pro Free Worship and Production Toolkit Shop Our Online Courses Join us at the Churchfront Conference Follow Churchfront on Instagram or TikTok: @churchfront Follow on Twitter: @realchurchfront Gear we use to make videos at Churchfront Musicbed SyncID: MB01VWQ69XRQNSN  
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  • The Songs Your Congregation Will Remember on Their Deathbed | Churchfront Conference | Ben Haley
    Pastoring Your Congregation Through Worship with Ben Haley Episode Summary In this powerful session from the Church Front Conference, Ben Haley shares three essential foundations for effective worship ministry that truly shepherds congregations. Drawing from scripture and personal experience, Ben explains how worship leaders must know their hearts, know their Bibles, and know their people to lead worship that transforms lives. Show Notes Key Timestamps 00:00 - Opening quote and introduction 00:59 - Ben shares the moving story of his father's final moments 03:18 - The profound influence of worship music and responsibility it brings 05:35 - What should be the foundation of worship ministry? 06:37 - Foundation #1: Know your heart 11:06 - Foundation #2: Know your Bible 15:35 - Practical tips for selecting and using worship songs 17:44 - Foundation #3: Know your people 21:29 - The danger of prioritizing programs over people 24:27 - Final encouragement to show off God's glory 25:39 - Closing quote from Martyn Lloyd-Jones Key Topics The Lasting Impact of Worship Songs Ben's father, despite being sedated and on a ventilator, communicated "It is well with my soul" in his final moments People rarely remember sermon details but often recall songs throughout their lives and even on their deathbeds What we sing has a profound influence on us, creating great responsibility for worship leaders Foundation #1: Know Your Heart Reference to 1 Timothy 4 - "Watch your life and doctrine closely" Cultural conditioning has led us to value competency over character Ephesians 5:18-19 commands being filled with the Spirit before addressing singing Many things can cause us to neglect our hearts: busy schedules, tasks, praise, or personal struggles "If our ministries are to bless the congregations that we lead, then our ministries have to be led and staffed by people who know that we have a great need for Jesus." Foundation #2: Know Your Bible Compare Ephesians 5:18-19 with Colossians 3:16 - singing flows from being Spirit-filled and Word-filled Technological and musical excellence alone don't make disciples "What truly makes disciples is the Word of God revealed by His Holy Spirit in the hearts and minds of His people." "The song book of a church is an indicator of that church's maturity." People need biblically rich lyrics to help them through grief, shame, and cultural confusion Practical Song Selection Guidelines Songs should use biblical language and themes Songs should be singable for the congregation Find creative ways to incorporate Scripture into worship times (slides, readings, etc.) Style preferences (old/new, simple/complex, upbeat/slow) are secondary to biblical content "When your people are moved by a melody...make sure that what you are giving your people to sing is something worth singing from the Word." Foundation #3: Know Your People Ephesians 5 and Colossians 3 both emphasize singing "to one another" Corporate worship is both vertical (to God) and horizontal (to each other) We need each other's voices when we're struggling to worship Practical implication: music shouldn't be so loud that congregants can't hear each other "The church is Jesus's bride. These are his people. He cherishes them. He gave his life for them." You can't shepherd people you don't know The Ultimate Goal of Worship Ministry Help people do what they were designed to do - worship God Attempts to reform behavior or conform people to church culture will fail "What you win people with is what you win them to." "Use those instruments, use those melodies, use the soundboards, use the lighting controllers to show off God's glory, and give your people the kinds of songs that they will sing on their deathbeds." Memorable Quotes "What we sing has a profound influence on us." - Ben Haley "With great power comes great responsibility." - Ben Haley (quoting Uncle Ben from Spider-Man) "We have been conditioned by our culture to value competency over character. We prefer platform over piety. We choose hype over holiness." - Ben Haley "Great melodies don't make disciples. A brighter projector doesn't make disciples. An online service with better EQ doesn't make disciples." - Ben Haley "The song book of a church is an indicator of that church's maturity." - Ben Haley "Church music is not a one-way street from an individual to God. It's also something we do with each other and for each other." - Ben Haley "Church leaders are not leaders of nobody. We are leaders of people." - Ben Haley "I can forgive a man for a bad sermon...if he gives me some dim glimpse of the majesty and the glory of God, the love of Christ my savior, and the magnificence of the gospel." - Martyn Lloyd-Jones (quoted by Ben Haley) Scripture References 1 Timothy 4 - "Watch your life and doctrine closely" Ephesians 5:18-19 - "Be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs" Colossians 3:16 - "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly...singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs" Psalm 146 - "Praise the Lord, O my soul" John 10 - Jesus knows his sheep and they know his voice Resources Mentioned Stephen Miller (author referenced regarding worship leadership) Charles Spurgeon (quoted regarding personal worship) Martyn Lloyd-Jones (quoted in opening and closing) Next Steps For worship leaders and tech teams wanting to implement Ben's teaching: Evaluate your personal worship habits and spiritual disciplines Review your church's song selections for biblical content and singability Make an effort to build deeper relationships with congregation members Consider ways to incorporate more Scripture into your worship services   Apply to Join Churchfront Premium Apply to Join Churchfront Pro Free Worship and Production Toolkit Shop Our Online Courses Join us at the Churchfront Conference Follow Churchfront on Instagram or TikTok: @churchfront Follow on Twitter: @realchurchfront Gear we use to make videos at Churchfront Musicbed SyncID: MB01VWQ69XRQNSN  
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  • Churchfront Show 2025 NAB Special
    Church Front Show - NAB 2025 & Church Architecture Insights Episode Summary Jake Gosselin shares his experience at the NAB (National Association of Broadcasters) Show 2025, highlighting innovative broadcast technology for churches. He and Matt Woltjer also discuss church architecture trends and why thoughtful building design matters for worship spaces. Show Notes Timestamps 0:08 - Welcome and introduction 1:12 - Church Front hiring announcement 5:28 - NAB Show 2025 overview 6:43 - Hollyland cameras for vertical video 7:12 - Lyntec power sequencing systems 11:14 - Canon CR-N100 PTZ camera 12:33 - Church Front's studio camera setup (CR-N500 & CR-N300) 15:05 - Canon RC-IP1000 PTZ controller 17:40 - Canon C400 cinema camera 20:31 - Allen & Heath AHM matrix mixing system 24:18 - DiGiCo Quantum mixing console 25:39 - Blackmagic Design booth and new gear 27:47 - SMPTE 2110 IP video protocol benefits 32:16 - Blackmagic Pyxis 6K camera 33:55 - ATEM Mini Extreme ISO G2 switcher 36:01 - ATEM Constellation switchers 41:02 - PTZOptics Hive Studio for remote camera operation 42:07 - Meeting PTZOptics team 43:07 - Santa Barbara church architecture discussion 44:45 - Why modern churches favor utilitarian buildings 48:15 - Economic factors affecting church construction 52:49 - Revitalizing vs. building new facilities 54:16 - Church growth strategies and building acquisition Key Topics Church Front Job Opening AVL Technician position available at Church Front (Melbourne, FL) Apply at churchfront.com/avl-technician Responsibilities include equipment rack assembly and system deployment NAB Show Highlights Lyntec Power Sequencing Integrates power sequencing into electrical panels Offers motorized circuit breakers and remote control Provides flexibility for system automation in new church builds Canon Camera Technology CR-N100: More affordable alternative to the CR-N300 (no SDI, but keeps NDI capability) CR-N500: High-quality PTZ now used in Church Front studio C400: Cinema camera alternative to the RED Komodo with Canon's color science and autofocus Allen & Heath AHM Matrix mixing system for simpler audio control Perfect for events requiring basic microphone and playback functionality Can bypass the main console for volunteer-friendly operation Blackmagic Design Technology SMPTE 2110 IP protocol for video distribution over CAT6 cables Saves money compared to expensive 12G-SDI cabling ($2/foot) Studio cameras with 10Gb ethernet for single-cable connectivity Pyxis 6K camera at just $3,200 PTZOptics Hive Studio Remote camera operation via internet Allows volunteers to control cameras from home Part of growing remote production trend Church Architecture Discussion Critique of modern "black box" utilitarian church buildings Benefits of intentional, beautiful worship spaces Economic factors (inflation) making quality construction more difficult Strategies for church growth: Acquiring existing church buildings Building smaller (250-500 seats) beautiful spaces Multi-site approach vs. single large campus Community formation in different sized worship spaces Resources Mentioned Church Front Toolkit: churchfront.com/toolkit Church Front job board: churchfront.com/job-board/ Church Front Facebook Group (for discussions) Connect With Church Front Website: churchfront.com Subscribe to the podcast on Spotify and other platforms Next Episode Stay tuned for more church tech insights and integration project updates.   Apply to Join Churchfront Premium Apply to Join Churchfront Pro Free Worship and Production Toolkit Shop Our Online Courses Join us at the Churchfront Conference Follow Churchfront on Instagram or TikTok: @churchfront Follow on Twitter: @realchurchfront Gear we use to make videos at Churchfront Musicbed SyncID: MB01VWQ69XRQNSN  
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  • How to Mix Like a MUSICIAN Michael Curtis at Churchfront Conference 2024
    _*]:min-w-0 !gap-3.5"> Active Mixing - From Boring to Baller Episode Overview In this episode, Michael Curtis shares practical strategies for creating more engaging, dynamic worship mixes. Drawing from his background as a professional bass player and mixer, he explores how intentionality and specificity can transform "boring" mixes into creative, engaging experiences that better serve worship environments. Time Stamps & Key Points Introduction [00:48] Michael introduces the concept of "active mixing" versus boring mixing The challenge: Moving beyond "it sounds fine" to creating engaging, dynamic mixes Creativity as the antidote to boring mixing Creativity Through Structure [01:41] Biblical concept of creation: bringing order from formlessness The playground analogy: Children with fenced playgrounds use 90% of the space vs. 30% without fences "Sometimes what feels like a straight jacket is actually a Narnia closet" Leadership through specificity and making finer distinctions Strategies for Worship Pastors [05:52] Prescriptive leadership can be valuable when appropriate The progression from 10 Commandments (prescriptive) to Sermon on the Mount (descriptive) Matching leadership style to team maturity level Create "sit-down chords" - signals that create clear expectations Setting up rhythms and cues that guide the worship team Organize tracks by function, not just instrument: Percussion: Rhythm-driving elements Foundation: Bass and low-end elements Filler: Pads and ambient elements Leads: Melodic elements that guide congregation Gamify growth paths for volunteers Create progressive learning steps (like unlocking levels in a game) Apply "arbitrary limits" that help beginners master fundamentals before moving on Name and assign musical ownership Clarify who owns each musical element at any given time Consider adding a dedicated "music producer" position Strategies for Musicians [12:36] "Rhythm Randy needs a retirement party" Moving beyond mindlessly strumming the chord chart Playing a part rather than just playing the chart Use the whole playground within boundaries Finding creative ways to express within structure Create "alley-oop" moments Intentional handoffs between instruments Setting up moments for other musicians to shine Beware of "bedroom vacuums" Sounds created in isolation often take up too much sonic space Smaller sonic footprint needed in larger ensembles Interesting is greater than good Focus on creating compelling sounds, not just technically correct ones Hire both "Jekyll and Hyde" Balance between foundational players and texture specialists Strategies for Front of House Engineers [18:57] Be the guide - lead with your decisions Take charge of the mix and make intentional choices Use contrast effectively Create distinction between elements (can't have "close" without "far") Highlight different instruments in different sections Anticipate "oops" moments, don't just react Push faders before transitions, not after they happen Vary verse highlights Intentionally feature different instruments in different verses Keep congregation engaged through variety Develop common tonal language The "5-1-2" system for describing frequency ranges Creating shared vocabulary for sound issues Reference the real Compare your mix to professional recordings Combat ear fatigue by checking against references Mise en place - everything in its place Strategic console layout for efficient mixing Positioning faders for easy access during active mixing Conclusion [24:25] Start with clear direction (10 Commandments approach) then move to principles (Sermon on the Mount) Have the courage to be specific with your team Embrace structure as a pathway to creativity Key Quotes "Sometimes what feels like a straight jacket is actually a Narnia closet." "Move away from playing the chart to playing the part." "It is in that company's best interest to give you a patch that sounds great out of the box, but that's taking up a lot of real estate to make it sound good on its own." "Be the guide, take charge, lead your congregation with your decisions." "There cannot be close if there's not far, there cannot be wide if there isn't narrow." "Interesting is greater than or at least equal to good." Practical Applications For Worship Pastors: Organize tracks by function rather than instrument type Create clear growth paths for volunteers Be appropriately prescriptive with newer team members For Musicians: Consider your sonic footprint within the full band context Play intentional parts, not just the chord chart Create sounds that are interesting, not just technically correct For Sound Engineers: Use your left and right hands strategically on the console Intentionally highlight different instruments in different verses Reference professional mixes to maintain perspective Connect & Continue For more insights on active mixing and creative worship production, connect with Michael Curtis and the Church Front team. Apply to Join Churchfront Premium Apply to Join Churchfront Pro Free Worship and Production Toolkit Shop Our Online Courses Join us at the Churchfront Conference Follow Churchfront on Instagram or TikTok: @churchfront Follow on Twitter: @realchurchfront Gear we use to make videos at Churchfront Musicbed SyncID: MB01VWQ69XRQNSN  
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About Churchfront Worship and Tech Podcast

A podcast for worship leaders, tech directors, and pastors. A show dedicated to sharing practical tips to help you grow your worship and production ministry. Contact us at www.churchfront.com.
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