Learn More About Sound Engineering!

Are you just getting started into sound engineering? Do you want to learn some of the basic essentials that every sound technician should know? Are you a church music director who wants his sound men to understand a few fundamentals of sound systems? Perhaps you already have professional audio experience and knowledge, but are looking for resources to train someone just beginning.

Below is a list of high quality audio engineering educational literature and other resources available at no charge covering many important topics basic to the operation of sound reinforcement systems.

For Beginners/Junior Technician Training

• Shure Audio Systems Guide for Houses of Worship (pdf)

  A great introduction to the basics of microphones, equalizers and the fundamentals of sound (dB, Hz, etc.). I’d suggest this for someone responsible for the basic operation of a sound system who isn’t necessarily interested in becoming a “sound expert.” This booklet is not overwhelmingly technical. The details it shares are clearly presented.

Microphones

• Shure Microphone Techniques for Live Sound Reinforcement (pdf)

  Covering the basics of microphones and giving solo instrument micing ideas, this booklet is an excellent resource to help you improve the quality of your sound engineering.

• Shure Microphone Techniques for Recording (pdf)

  Almost identical to the above, this publication differs only slightly from its sister booklet. If you’re trying to study sound engineering for free, it’s worth getting so you can gain the few additional bits of knowledge it contains.

• Shure’s Selection and Operation of Wireless Microphone Systems (pdf)

  I haven’t read this one (yet!), but it appears to be quite detailed. If you want to understand wireless microphones, try this!

Speaker System Design

• JBL Professional Sound System Design Reference Manual (pdfs: part 1, part 2)

  Divulging into the step-by-step mathematical process required to design quality speaker systems, this educational guide is for the serious learner who wants to go beyond just plugging numbers into equations to understanding the meanings of those equations. Not a “do-it-yourself” guide by any means; rather, this publication is a detailed document for the serious student of sound system design.

Miscellaneous

• ChurchSoundcheck Discussion Group

  With members ranging in skill from beginner technicians to national-level system designers, I find the discussions on the ChurchSoundcheck (CSC) forum/list both helpful and educational. Focused specifically on church-related audio, video and lighting.

• Frequency Recognition Ear Training

  Simple Feedback Trainer (SFT) looks like a 1/3 octave graphic equalizer on your computer screen. When the program plays a tone, you attempt to identify the correct frequency by clicking on the slider corresponding to the frequency you think is being played.

Any suggestions of additional resources to add? E-mail me!