This is episode 178 of the MxU Podcast! Michael Keith Lewis, FOH Engineer for Colony House, is at MxU HQ filming content on Allen & Heath's dLive series of consoles releasing on the MxU platform tomorrow. He joins Spencer and Nate to talk about all things volume in the church. Everyone's heard "it's too loud!" before on Sunday morning and chances are you didn't really think twice about it. This week, the guys discuss whether or not church really has gotten too loud and if so, what to do about it.Service Review (19:59 - 28:07)The team reviews a service from First Baptist Church in Arlington, Texas. Michael gives insider insight as he used to work at FBCA. They discuss the challenges of balancing an orchestra with a contemporary band and offer practical advice on how to integrate everything into a cohesive mix.Submit your service for review to support@getmxu.com or reach out to us on any of our social media platforms.Is Church Too Loud? (28:08 - 54:38)There's always been an ongoing debate about volume levels in the church. Michael, Spencer, and Nate chat about their experiences in different church settings and how they've navigated this exact challenge. It's important to find a balance that serves the congregation without overwhelming them. Sometimes, the mix gets prioritized over the message and that's just not okay. Audio should enhance, not detract, from the service.Here's our recommendation: focus on serving the church community rather than pushing personal preferences.Upcoming ContentTomorrow, we're releasing "The Allen & Heath dLive" as a comprehensive walkthrough of Allen & Heath's dLive series of consoles. From a console overview to patching, routing, scenes, effects, and so much more. Michael covers everything there is to know about the dLive. And in a couple of weeks, we're releasing an entire course from Michael where he builds a mix on the console, stay tuned in for that.Watch our social accounts and be on the lookout for an email with the course release tomorrow!LinksMxUMxU Pop-UpsMichael Keith Lewis

Drake Kelch, an MxU Ambassador, dives into creative strategies for churches on a budget. He emphasizes the power of value engineering, showcasing how even the simplest tools, like the camera on your phone, can enhance worship experiences. The discussion highlights the importance of practical solutions and optimizing existing resources. Drake also shares insights on balancing church production with personal life, and the evolution of audio-visual setups in worship settings, proving that innovation often thrives in constraint.

This is episode 176 of the MxU Podcast! Things look a little different for the podcast this week. Spencer is joined by Nick Kofhal and Max Williams from Summit Integrated Systems at their office in Colorado. The guys chat all things identity and discuss what it looks like to separate your role in your church from your identity.Your Role Is Not Your Identity (05:47 - 59:15)There's a delicate balance between one's calling and one's personal identity. It's common to get these confused and fuse your job with your identity. It's easy to lose yourself in the hustle of ministry and it's essential to ground your identity in the right things. The guys chat about how to focus more on what you're called to be rather than on what you're called to do.Upcoming ContentTomorrow, on the MxU platform, we're releasing "The Complete Guide to Vista" with Tony Fransen. We've heard your requests and we're following through... everything you need to know about Vista is covered in this comprehensive and practical course. Tony walks through everything from controls to patching to presets to designing and so much more. Stay tuned in to our social accounts and be on the lookout for an email with the course release tomorrow.LinksMxUMxU Pop-Ups (Up Next: Dallas TX, August 20th)Summit Integrated SystemsNick KofhalMax Williams

This is episode 175 of the MxU Podcast! Jeff and Spencer are joined by two familiar faces, Josh Reeder-Esparza from the MxU crew and Dillan Howell from EVNT Ready. They chat all things experiences and answer this question… "Why are we Obsessed with 'Experiences' in Church?"Service Review (02:09 - 20:54)The crew review a service from AG Church of Willmar, MN. They dive into the mix, pointing out how the piano overpowers the guitars and the snare drum's sound. The consensus? Balance and subtle adjustments could make a significant difference. Thanks for the submission, Steve!If you're interested in a service review, submit yours to support@getmxu.com or DM us on our social accounts!Why are we Obsessed with Building ‘Experiences’ in the Church? (20:55 - 01:06:54)Experience or service, whatever you call it, what's the true purpose behind them? Have we become too obsessed with the 'show' and not with genuine worship? In a larger sense, does our modern view of a church service align with the theological foundation of church in general? Take a listen as the guys dive into this topic and much more... Dillan even recounts his experience at a Cowboy Church.Upcoming Content (01:06:55 - 01:10:24)Tomorrow, on the MxU platform, we're releasing 'Mixing on an Analog Console' in response to the many... many... requests we've gotten over the years to film this course. Jeff used his "seasoned" expertise to craft a mix on an analog console and in doing so, he shared it all with you. Be on the lookout for the course drop tomorrow on our social accounts and via email.LinksMxUMxU Pop-Ups (Up Next: Dallas TX, August 20th)Dillan Howell

This is episode 174 of the MxU Podcast. Jeff, Spencer, and Nate are joined by a local worship leader and friend - Lance Asher! They chat about all things worship and the why behind churches writing their own worship songs. Here's the question... should you write your own songs? If you've wrestled with this before, you know there's no easy answer. Take a listen as the guys do their best to answer it.Service Review (23:04 - 35:07)This week, the team reviews a service from The Summit Church in Raleigh, NC. They give their thoughts on the mix overall and provide constructive feedback in terms of the balance of instruments, vocal presence, and more.Submit your service for review to support@getmxu.com or reach out to us on any of our social media platforms.Upcoming Content (35:08 - 37:04)Tomorrow, we're releasing "Music Directing with Matt Gilder" on the MxU platform! Matt is a long time friend and is the MD for Chris Tomlin. He brings a wealth of knowledge about Ableton Live and music directing in general. In case you missed it, at the beginning of this month we released our first batch of worship content that we shot with Thrive Worship. We’ve filmed even more and we’re excited to continue releasing worship content this week. Stay tuned in to our social accounts and be on the lookout for an email with the course release!Should Churches Write Their Own Worship Songs? (37:05 - 01:29:49)Lance Asher is a local worship leader here in Knoxville, TN. He gives his why behind his church writing their own worship songs and explains the journey that brought them to write. In general, however, the question of whether or not churches should be writing their own worship songs still remains. Jeff, Spencer, Nate, and Lance all debate this topic and emphasize the importance of theological accuracy.LinksLance AsherMxUMxU Pop-Ups

This is episode 173 of the MxU Podcast... Tony Fransen is back! Jeff, Spencer, Tony, and Nate chat about Jeff's repeated Tesla stories and Spencer's demand for organization. Tony's been involved in some pretty cool things since we last talked, and has some advice to offer on what seems to always be a heated debate. Is church lighting essential or excess?Service Review (20:47 - 27:01)This week, the guys review a service from Grace City church. Tony provides insight on the overall look, highlighting the do's and don'ts of creating an engaging worship environment. Here's a tip: be intentional!Submit your service for review to support@getmxu.com or reach out to us on any of our social media platforms. Is Church Lighting Essential... or Excess? (40:20 - 01:03:39)We seem to always get the most feedback when we talk about lighting. Everyone always has an opinion on whether or not it belongs in church and if it does, how it should be done etc... This week, we answer the question "Is church lighting essential or excess?" and if it is essential, what parts?Upcoming Content (01:03:40 - 01:07:59)We're releasing "Resolume as a Media Server" tomorrow to the MxU platform! Using Resolume, and any form of a media server for that matter, requires a level of skill and thought put into it. Stay tuned into our socials and be on the lookout for an email tomorrow about the course drop!LinksTony FransenMxUMxU Pop-Ups

Nate Ellis and Josh Reeder-Esparza from the MxU team discuss the challenges of spending money in the church. They share insights on financial stewardship, debunking the belief that more money will solve all church issues. The podcast explores the importance of thoughtful financial decisions, transparency, and aligning expenses with the congregation's trust.

This is episode 171 of the MxU Podcast! The podcast is coming from Columbus, OH this week following our third MxU Pop-Up event. Jeff is joined by Jay Desai who's back for the first time in our new format. In addition to Jay, Jeff is also joined by Dillan Howell and Stephen Brewster who are two long time friends of the MxU community. The guys discuss a very special announcement from the MxU camp this week... worship specific content will now be available on the MxU platform!Big News & Upcoming Content (05:30 - 18:32)Tomorrow, MxU is releasing our first batch of worship content on the MxU platform! For years, we've said that worship & tech teams are one team. Now, we're finally putting action to our words. We're releasing 6 courses with our friends from Thrive Worship with much more to come. Stay tuned in to our social accounts and emails for more information on the release!Service Review (23:28 - 31:17) Jeff recently visited a church in Romania who consistently pulls off a pretty impressive worship service. Despite some technical limitations, they're able to deliver an incredible broadcast mix that embodies the authenticity and engagement of the room. Their ability to do so should serve as inspiration for churches everywhere.Worship Hot Topics (31:18 - 55:42)Should we still do "specials" on Sunday? Are "openers" even meant for churches? Is your worship set longer than your sermon? The guys discuss these hot topics and more... they deliver their raw and real responses to these common questions being asked in churches across the globe. Quick Insight: Don't overdo it. Focus on what matters most.Links:Jay DesaiStephen BrewsterDillan HowellMxU PlatformMxU Pop-Ups

This is episode 170 of the MxU Podcast! Jeff is joined again by Nate Ellis from MxU, filling in as co-host in the absence of Spencer this week. Together, they’re joined by Joe Henson - System Engineer for Sam Hunt. They answer the age-old question “Do I really need that upgrade?” Or in other words… “Can I get by with what I have?”Service Review (13:46-22:52)The team reviews a submission from The Point Knox here in Knoxville, TN. Despite limited resources and an older console, Jeff and the guys commend the mix's clarity - specifically around the drums - and offer some tips for improvement. This does pose the question, however, do you really need to be broadcasting? It's important to balance existing resources with real needs.Do You Really Need a New PA? (22:53-37:29)Speaking of balancing resources and needs... the guys discuss whether or not you really need that new PA. Whether it's a PA or another large upgrade, purchasing costly pieces of equipment should be a well thought out endeavor. Here's the key: maximize your existing infrastructure. Work with an integrator or other local expert to determine when is the right time to upgrade or if there's an alternative option available like replacing drivers etc...Upcoming Content (37:30-38:10)We're releasing a new course tomorrow all about the basics of Resolume Arena! Caleb Shamblin walks through every aspect of the interface from basic navigation to more advanced features. This is just the first of three Resolume courses we'll be releasing over the next few months. Whether you’re manipulating media, creating effects, or just playing back audio & video content… Resolume Arena can do it all.

This is episode 169 of the MxU Podcast! Jeff is joined in the co-host seat this week by Nate Ellis from the MxU team. We’re celebrating with Spencer and his family as they welcome their third child into the world! Together, Jeff and Nate are joined by Chad Rose from ReveLux and Corey Miller from Jeff’s home church. They question whether or not your church needs an LED wall.Tip: There’s a difference between a want and a need. Think through where your current technology is in their life cycle and make an educated decision.Service Review (05:05-15:54)This week, the crew reviews a service from One Church in Columbus, Ohio. They balance modern worship with a bit of a gospel flair. The crew gives insights on the engaging vocal sound and dynamic energy and offer some constructive feedback on instrument clarity and lighting. Upcoming Content (15:55 - 22:11)We’re releasing a new mixing course tomorrow all about Waves LV1! This is sort of a “part 2” to our previous release on Setting Up & Configuring Waves LV1. Jeff takes us through a full breakdown of his mix on some tracks from Chris Tomlin. We’re also giving away Jeff’s plugin presets for free. Stay tuned in to our social platforms for tomorrow’s release where you’ll be able to watch the new content and download those presets!About Grace Church (22:12 - 28:02)Corey Miller is a returning guest to the MxU podcast. He talks through the mission and vision of Grace Church to not always focus on the best gear possible but rather to build an environment that works for their volunteers. A volunteer-focused Do you need an LED wall? (28:03 - 39:41)There’s a need for intentional, tasteful, design choices in church. This is especially true when you’re managing a giant canvas like an LED wall. Grace Church has just recently made the decision to invest in an LED wall from ReveLux. Take a listen to their journey from first asking the question “Do we need an LED wall?” to installation within the next few weeks.