How to Upgrade Your Church’s Wireless Microphone System for Optimal Performance
By Matt Woltjer
Wireless microphone issues can turn a smooth worship service into a frustrating experience. Whether it’s dropouts, interference, or outdated equipment, these challenges can disrupt your production team and congregation. Recently at my church, River Run Christian Church in Melbourne, Florida, we tackled these issues head-on by upgrading our microphone system and implementing antenna management with RF Venue products. In this post, I’ll walk you through what we did and how you can take similar steps to improve your church’s audio setup.
Why Upgrade? Identifying Wireless Frequency Issues
If your wireless microphones experience frequent dropouts or interference, one of the first steps is to determine if your microphones are operating in legal and appropriate frequency ranges. Many churches are still using outdated microphones that fall into FCC-prohibited bands. These frequencies were reassigned to cell carriers years ago, and using them can lead to fines—not to mention poor audio quality.
Using tools like Shure’s Wireless Frequency Finder, you can identify which frequency bands are best for your area. After inputting your church’s address, the tool provides a breakdown of available channels within different frequency bands, allowing you to make informed decisions when purchasing new microphones.
At River Run, we discovered that our older microphones were in a crowded frequency band, contributing to dropouts. We opted for Shure SLXD systems operating in a less congested band, providing clearer and more reliable audio.
Upgrading and Managing Wireless Systems
Here’s a breakdown of the upgrades we made at River Run:
New Wireless Microphones
We added four channels of Shure SLXD wireless microphones, including a headset mic for preaching and three vocal mics. These new microphones were selected based on the available frequency range identified by the Shure Wireless Frequency Finder.Antenna Management with RF Venue Products
RF Venue’s architectural antennas and combiners allowed us to clean up our RF environment. These flat, wall-mounted antennas seamlessly blend into our tech booth while improving wireless signal strength and consistency.Antenna Distribution and Combiner Systems
We installed RF Venue’s Combine6 for in-ear monitors and Distro5 for microphones. These systems help centralize antenna management, reducing interference and ensuring better performance across all wireless devices.
Addressing Rack Space Challenges
When implementing upgrades, space management can be a hurdle. Our original rack setup didn’t have enough room for all the new equipment. We solved this by repurposing an old rack and stacking it with our existing unit. While not a perfect solution, it was cost-effective and functional for our church’s needs. If you’re planning a similar upgrade, make sure to calculate your rack space requirements beforehand.
Testing and Monitoring RF Performance
One of the most exciting tools we tested was RF Venue’s Spectrum Recorder. This device monitors and logs RF activity in real-time, allowing us to identify problem frequencies and optimize our setup. While this tool may not be necessary for smaller churches, it’s invaluable for integrators, larger venues, or anyone dealing with persistent RF issues.
Key Takeaways for Your Church
Evaluate Your Current System
Check if your wireless microphones are in legal and functional frequency ranges. Use tools like the Shure Wireless Frequency Finder to analyze your RF environment.Invest in Antenna Management
Don’t just buy new microphones—improve your overall RF environment with distribution and combiner systems. This can often solve issues without needing to replace all your equipment.Plan for Growth
When upgrading, think about future needs. Systems like RF Venue’s Distro5 can handle multiple microphone inputs, allowing for scalability.Use Tools to Diagnose Issues
Devices like the RF Venue Spectrum Recorder can provide valuable insights into your RF environment, helping you make data-driven decisions.
Upgrade with Confidence
If you’re unsure where to start with your church’s microphone or wireless system upgrade, we’re here to help. At ChurchFront, we work with churches of all sizes to develop customized AVL solutions. Visit churchfront.com to apply for a consultation, and let’s find the best solutions for your worship ministry.
