As someone who’s spent years helping churches optimize their tech setups, I recently had the opportunity to tour Orbit Church’s portable system with their technical director, Karezz Goggins. What I found was a great example of how to build an effective church plant setup while being mindful of budget constraints. In this article, I’ll walk you through their setup, offering insights and recommendations based on my experience.
The heart of Orbit Church’s audio system is the Allen & Heath SQ5 digital mixer, a powerful and compact console that continues to be a solid choice for growing churches. They’ve paired this with a 20U Odyssey rack, which, while functional, has significant unused space. One immediate observation: empty rack space is an opportunity. Whether it’s for equipment, blank panels, or storage drawers, maximizing rack space can improve organization and efficiency.
Their current cable management includes running separate XLR cables for speakers and an S-link cable for the stage box. While functional, I’d recommend:
One significant upgrade I’d recommend is implementing Dante audio networking. The SQ5 has a slot for a Dante card, which would eliminate the need for:
While Dante does represent an investment, it simplifies the system and provides more flexibility for future expansion.
The stage rack is well-organized, featuring:
A note on their wireless systems: while the EWD microphones are excellent, I’ve found the XSW in-ear monitors can be problematic, especially when using more than four units. Their antenna placement could also be improved – I recommend maintaining at least 6 feet of separation between antennas for optimal performance.
They’re using an Arturia KeyLab 88 with the Sunday Keys app on an iPad Pro. While they’ve experienced some latency issues, I suspect this might be related to the controller rather than Sunday Keys itself. I’ve had great experiences using Sunday Keys with Studio Logic controllers.
They’re running an acoustic Gretsch Catalina kit with K Custom dry series cymbals. While it works for their skilled drummers, in a portable church environment, I’d typically recommend an electronic kit for:
Their lighting setup includes:
They’ve made a smart choice using more budget-friendly fixtures for their portable setup. As Karezz mentioned, gear inevitably takes some abuse in a portable church environment, so having replaceable components makes sense.
The video system is built around:
One immediate improvement I’d suggest is consolidating their video rack setup. Using a KVM switch and proper rack mounting could significantly streamline their setup/teardown process.
The biggest opportunity for improvement I see is in their network infrastructure. I’d recommend:
This would reduce their cable runs between FOH and stage to essentially:
They’re running a Chinese-manufactured LED wall in a 4×5 configuration, soon to be changed to 3×6. While not a premium product, it serves their needs well. The current ground support system could be improved, and their planned transition to truss mounting should help with both setup time and stability.
What impresses me most about Orbit Church’s setup is how they’ve balanced functionality with budget constraints. While there are areas for improvement, they’ve built a system that serves their congregation well and can grow with them.
For church plants looking to build their own technical systems, remember:
Remember, the goal is to support ministry, not to have the fanciest gear. Orbit Church’s setup demonstrates how to achieve that balance effectively.
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