How to Mix for Different Rooms

One day it happens. You’re asked to mix someplace new: Could you mix our band at another church? Could you mix in the kids venue? Or the big one: Are you ready to mix in a new sanctuary … because we are building a new one!?!

A definition of sanctuary is a place of refuge and protection. If you’ve always mixed in the same venue, you’ve been protected from a cold hard truth: What works in one venue will not work in other venues. I’ll be honest, I used to think the same thing. I recall standing behind the mixer thinking, “This sounds good at my church, why doesn’t it sound right here? What am I doing wrong?”

Why the venue makes a difference

1. Unique room acoustics

I’ve mixed the same group in multiple venues and each mix called for unique changes because the room acoustics were so different. I’ve mixed in two churches with sanctuaries of the same size but massively different acoustic properties. Each room is unique!

The acoustic properties of a room could include:

  • Even volume coverage
  • Uneven volume coverage
  • Bass-heavy areas
  • Areas with comb filtering
  • High reverb
  • Little reverb

Comb Filtering

Comb filtering occurs when the same sound is combined from two different sources where there is a delay in the time received. This can be the result of hearing direct sound from two differently spaced speakers or by hearing direct and indirect (reflected) sound. When the comb filter is substantial, it results in a hollow or boxy sound.

The sound waves of the reflections collide with the sound waves of the original sound and this is called acoustic interference, and it can be either constructive (additive) or destructive (canceling). This depends on the point in time when the sound waves are combined. Those in phase will increase their level and those nearly 180-degrees out of phase will cancel out. The resulting sound wave heard by the listener will have peaks and valleys like that of a hair comb, thus the name.

See this page for more information: Room Reflections

2. Different equipment and configuration

The Shure SM58 microphone has been around for a long time and used in many churches. That said, there are better-sounding vocal microphones. You might use SM58’s and then have to mix in a room with a $20 generic-brand microphone. Even at this level, you’ll miss your SM58s.

Not only do microphone differences make a big impact, but so does most equipment following that signal. The quality of the speakers, the audio console, the effects units and every other piece of signal processing gear affects the sound.

The equipment settings make a big difference. For example, the house EQ should be set for the room and based on the audio needs and usage. This doesn’t mean the same sound will sound the same in every venue. One venue might have a low-end boost in the house EQ while another has a low-end cut. And we’re also assuming the house EQs have been correctly set. It does help to look at the house EQ in a venue to get an idea of what’s going on in the room or what the in-house tech believes it needs.