Knowledge Base Track HW and SW - WellspringChurchNC/prod-team GitHub Wiki

Knowledge Base: Track Hardware and Software

We've used multiple types of software in production over time ... each has it's pros & cons (cost, features, ease of use, etc.):

  • Prime App (iOS / iPad) ... this is our go to setup for ease of use, training, etc
  • Ableton Live (OSX or Windows) ... most flexible, incredible automation power, very difficult to learn (tracks can be more expensive)
  • Fly Worship (Windows) ... intermediate ... basically all worship (CG & tracks) in a single software package, no native click/cues (but can be added)

Prime App

  • best run on an iPad (free download on the app store)
  • tracks via https://loopcommunity.com/
  • technically tracks from any source can be used
  • Jim has been using this to train new sound techs at home (using the multi-out capability)

Ableton Live

Basically track automation software ... possible to automate the entire production including lighting cues, CG, etc. The church has an intro version 10 license. Jim also has a personal license. Great intro video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=04Lz3aHp_Wg&t=1200

Fly Worship

We have licenses to use this (Jim is the contact / admin) all-in-one worship software and have used it in various scenarios (pre-launch meetings, pre-launch worship rehearsals, live worship, sound tech / mixer training at home). https://flyworship.com/UK/ Typically, we've used it for the tracks / audio automation aspect (although Jim did use in the pre-launch days in band rehearsals to show lyrics while the tracks were running). We should only consider using this if it became increasingly more difficult to get volunteers (ie we don't have a CG operator). This will put more work on the worship leader / coordinator / band lead to learn this software / tool and insure that all CG elements are correct, tested, etc. (in addition to all of the song/set/audio requirements).

Multi-channel output of tracks

The "default" setup for all of these applications is basically stereo out (typically the headphone out of the computer or tablet, but the Peavey USB-P could also be used in some cases). This is fed into a DI box for each channel ... one channel for the "loop" (or instruments from the app/tracks) and the other channel for the click/cues. A standard diagram of this (and description) is here --> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=04Lz3aHp_Wg&t=2480 All of these apps have the capability of connecting to a multi-channel audio interface so that individual tracks can be assigned to their own physical audio channel / output (and sent to the mixer). It's important to consider that while doing this type of setup can improve the mix considerably; it is more complicated, requires more equipment, and takes more time to setup (and debug if there are problems).

Some of the hardware options are: