Hey everyone, Adam here. I had the privilege of leading a “How-To” session at Churchfront Conference 2024, where I walked through how a sound engineer should run a rehearsal. This is one of the most common topics that comes up in coaching calls and in our accelerator program, so I wanted to break it down step by step.
If you’re running sound for your church, you know that rehearsal is more than just pushing faders. It’s about creating an environment where musicians can focus on worship, not technical issues. When we do our job well, the band is free to do theirs even better.
So let’s talk about how to run a rehearsal efficiently, reduce stress, and set everyone up for success.
A great rehearsal starts before the band even walks in. The more prep you do ahead of time, the smoother everything will go.
✅ Know the Band Members – I make sure I know everyone’s name so I’m not calling out “Hey, drummer!” over the talkback mic. It’s a simple respect thing.
✅ Check the Stage Setup – I verify that every mic, DI, and monitor is in place and tested.
✅ Review the Setlist – I check Planning Center and make notes on any unique elements in the songs.
✅ Confirm Tech Needs – If a guitarist needs stereo XLRs or the MD needs a mic, I get it ready ahead of time.
I also reach out to the worship leader or band members beforehand if I have any questions. This way, when they walk in, they know I’m already thinking about their needs.
Before I start adjusting faders, I do something just as important: I check in with the team as people.
🎤 “Hey, how’s your morning going? Need a water or coffee?”
🎸 “Got everything you need for your setup?”
These small interactions build trust. If a musician feels supported and respected, they’ll play with more confidence.
When I create a calm, prepared environment, it reduces stress and lets everyone focus on why we’re really here—leading the congregation in worship.
Once everyone is set up, I grab my talkback mic and make sure the band can hear me.
🖐 “Can you guys hear me in your in-ears? Give me a hand raise.”
This is a crucial step because clear communication prevents frustration. If someone can’t hear me, we solve that first before moving forward.
Next, we go through each instrument one by one. Here’s my process:
1️⃣ Vocals First – I have vocalists sing a chorus with keys or guitar to make it easier for them.
2️⃣ Drums – Kick, snare, toms, hats, overheads, full kit.
3️⃣ Keys & MD Mic – I verify that the worship leader’s mic and click track are working.
4️⃣ Guitars & Bass – I check each one individually.
5️⃣ Final Check – I do a quick visual confirmation that every input is live and nothing was missed.
I also ask for their loudest signal, but I keep in mind that early morning rehearsals are deceiving—musicians always play louder as they warm up. I set gain slightly lower to leave headroom.
This is the biggest game-changer for saving time. Instead of the band trying to play and adjust their in-ears simultaneously, I record a 30-second loop of a song and play it back.
🎛 Here’s how it works:
1️⃣ I record a full chorus or bridge.
2️⃣ I flip my console to play the recording back through their in-ears.
3️⃣ The band adjusts their mixes without playing live.
🚀 Result: Everyone dials in their mix in 30 seconds instead of 10 minutes.
This method eliminates the back-and-forth guessing game of “Turn me up” while also trying to play. It makes rehearsals so much smoother.
Once in-ear mixes are set, I make a clear handoff to the worship leader.
🎤 “Oren, it’s all yours. You can start the rehearsal whenever you’re ready.”
This lets the team transition into worship mode without waiting on me. If they need something later, they can just ask.
Before I step back, I always ask the band one last time:
💬 “Do you need anything else from me?”
I also make sure to give encouragement:
🔥 “You guys sound great today.”
🔥 “That vocal line was awesome.”
🔥 “Guitar tone is dialed in.”
Musicians are always their own worst critics, so a little encouragement goes a long way.
At Churchfront Conference 2024, my goal was to show how intentional preparation and clear communication can transform a stressful rehearsal into a smooth, efficient, and worship-filled experience.
If you’re a sound engineer, here’s your Sunday rehearsal checklist:
✅ Prepare before the band arrives – Know names, setlist, and tech needs.
✅ Make the band feel valued – A simple check-in makes a big difference.
✅ Communicate clearly – Use the talkback mic and ensure everyone hears you.
✅ Run a structured line check – Check each input one by one.
✅ Use virtual soundcheck – Let musicians mix their in-ears without playing live.
✅ Handoff to the worship leader – Step back and let them lead.
✅ Encourage the team – A positive atmosphere leads to better worship.
If you implement these steps, your rehearsals will be faster, smoother, and way less stressful.
🎛 Want more pro tips on running church sound? Subscribe to the Churchfront YouTube channel and check out Churchfront.com for coaching and training.
Let’s serve our worship teams with excellence and a servant’s heart. See you next time!
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