How to Mix Like a MUSICIAN | Michael Curtis at Churchfront Conference 2024

The Art of Active Mixing – Key Takeaways from Michael Curtis’ Churchfront Keynote

When it comes to worship mixing, there’s a fine line between good and great. And at last year’s Churchfront Conference, Michael Curtis walked us through exactly how to cross that line. His keynote, “Active Mixing: From Boring to Baller,” was packed with practical wisdom for worship leaders, musicians, and front-of-house engineers.

Michael broke down why active mixing matters and how creativity is essential—not just in the tech booth but in every part of leading worship. He challenged us to move beyond just making things sound fine and instead, craft an experience that is engaging, intentional, and meaningful for the congregation. Here are the key takeaways from his session:

1. Creativity Requires Boundaries

Michael started with an unexpected insight: boundaries actually make us more creative. He used the example of a playground—when kids don’t have a fence, they stay near the middle. But when there’s a fence, they explore the whole space.

The same goes for worship and production. If we don’t have structure, our creativity suffers. Whether it’s clear expectations for musicians, defined roles in the mix, or intentional arrangements, structure creates freedom.

2. Worship Leaders: Don’t Be Afraid to Be Specific

Worship pastors often struggle with how much direction to give their teams—too much, and they feel micromanaged, too little, and chaos ensues. Michael pointed out that in the Bible, God first gave clear prescriptions (like the Ten Commandments) before later teaching broader principles (like the Sermon on the Mount).

As leaders, we have to assess where our team is at. If they need clear guidelines—give them direct expectations. But as they grow, give them room to interpret and create within the vision.

Example: Instead of saying, “Just worship however you feel,” say, “We want to build this song dynamically—start low, bring it up at the bridge, and fully open up on the last chorus.”

3. Organize Your Tracks for Function, Not Just Instrumentation

Michael’s approach to track mixing was game-changing. Instead of lumping tracks together by instrument (like “all guitars,” “all keys”), he suggested organizing them by function:

• Percussion: Anything driving rhythm
• Foundation: Bass & low-end elements
• Filler: Pads, ambience, supporting layers
• Leads: Anything melodic that guides the congregation

This method helps front-of-house mixers make real-time decisions based on the musical needs of the moment instead of just balancing instruments.

4. Musicians: Play the Part, Not Just the Chart

One of the most eye-opening moments of the keynote was Michael’s talk on “Rhythm Randy”—the classic acoustic player who strums all the chords, all the time, in every song.

Michael pushed musicians to think beyond the chart and ask what role they’re playing in the arrangement:

• Are you providing rhythmic energy or melodic texture?
• Are you leading a moment or supporting another instrument?
• Are you locking in with the bass player, or just playing whatever feels good?

When every musician is mindful of their role, the band becomes a unified, intentional sound rather than a wall of noise.

5. Front-of-House Engineers: Lead the Worship Experience

Michael reminded FOH engineers that mixing isn’t passive—it’s leadership. Every fader movement is shaping how people experience worship.

Key ways to actively mix:

• Use contrast – If everything is loud, nothing stands out. Make sure certain elements shine in different sections.
• Anticipate changes – Don’t react when the lead guitar comes in—push the fader before so it cuts through when needed.
• Highlight verses differently – Verse 1 might feature rhythm guitar, but Verse 2 should shift to keys to keep it engaging.
• Reference pro mixes – Don’t trust your ears alone. Compare your mix to recorded worship tracks to maintain a professional sound.

At the end of the day, a boring mix disengages people—a thoughtful, dynamic mix pulls them into worship.

6. Gamify the Growth Process

Michael ended with an exciting challenge for teams: gamify growth.

• For volunteers learning to mix, limit their controls at first (e.g., only adjusting faders, then adding EQ later).
• For musicians, assign specific roles in each song (e.g., “This week, you’re the lead texture—add swells in the pre-chorus.”).
• For teams, set up progressive challenges (e.g., “This week, let’s focus on better transitions between songs”).

By giving clear steps for growth, teams gain confidence and develop faster.

Final Thoughts: Step Into Narnia

Michael wrapped up with one last metaphor: what feels like a straightjacket might actually be a wardrobe into Narnia.

Being specific, setting boundaries, and actively mixing isn’t limiting—it actually unlocks greater creativity and engagement.

If your worship experience feels “fine” but uninspiring, it’s time to lead with intentionality. Whether you’re a worship pastor, musician, or front-of-house mixer, actively shaping the worship experience makes all the difference.

Take one step this Sunday—adjust one small thing with purpose—and watch the impact it has.

What’s one way you can be more intentional in your role this week? Let’s talk about it in the comments!

Michael’s keynote was a highlight of the Churchfront Conference, and I’m excited to see how worship teams apply these principles in their churches. If you missed the talk, be sure to watch the full session on the Churchfront YouTube channel!

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