Churchfront Show – March 2025

The Churchfront Show – March 2025

For a while now, we’ve wanted to refine how we produce and record Churchfront content, and with our latest in-person Churchfront Show episode, we finally had the chance to test out a new format. Instead of recording remotely or using our typical travel setup, Jake and I (Matt Woltjer) sat down together to hash out the ultimate studio podcast rig and discuss upgrades for our workflow.

Building the Ultimate Churchfront Podcast Setup

One of the biggest things we tackled in this episode was optimizing our podcast workflow with a better mic setup. Jake brought up the new Shure SM7B DB, which has a built-in preamp, eliminating the need for an external Cloudlifter. Since I’ve never personally used an SM7B before (yes, I know, shocking), Jake had a little too much fun making fun of me for that. But hey, I’m here to learn.

For the audio backbone, we have a Yamaha DM3D digital mixer, which offers Dante connectivity and high-quality preamps in a compact footprint. This means we can keep our signal path clean while also having remote control options for flexibility. As we debated headphone monitoring, I pushed back on wearing big over-ear cans for a video podcast, but in-ears might be a better solution for a cleaner look.

Upgrading the Studio Space

We’re fortunate to have Prime Acoustic panels in our studio, which significantly improve the sound quality in the room. (And yes, we made sure to mention Prime Acoustic enough times to keep our sponsorship quota in check!) However, cloud panels still need to go up, and somehow, that’s become Chris’ job now.

For lighting, we explored Nanlite PavoTubes for accents and possibly adding an aperture softbox overhead to give us a natural, soft lighting look. The debate was whether to keep things flexible with rolling stands or go for permanent mounted fixtures.

Cameras and Switching to PTZs

Currently, we’re recording everything on a Sony FX3, which is a great travel camera but not the most efficient for a fixed setup. Our plan is to move to PTZ cameras with NDI connectivity so we can control them easily without running extra cables. The idea is to streamline production, allowing us to record, switch angles, and edit faster.

Expanding Churchfront’s Studio and Warehouse

With all these upgrades, we’re also expanding into a new warehouse space. Right now, our current studio is crammed with racks, gear, and cases, making organization tricky. The new space will give us room for assembly, testing, and training—not just for our installs, but also for creating more content.

Moving Churchfront Conference to Florida

One of the biggest announcements in this episode is that Churchfront Conference 2025 will be in Florida. With Rock Harbor Church as our new venue, we’re scaling back attendance to around 250 people max, ensuring a more intimate and focused event. If you’re interested in coming, get your tickets early because we sold nearly 400 last year, and this time, space is limited.

Final Thoughts

This new Churchfront Show format is something we’re experimenting with, and we’d love your feedback. Do you like the relaxed, conversational vibe? Would you prefer more structured segments? Should we take live call-ins in future episodes?

Let us know in the comments, and stay tuned as we refine our setup and keep bringing you the best church production content. Thanks for watching, and we’ll see you next time!

Want to work with us? We’re always looking for talented people to join our team in Florida. If you’re interested, head over to churchfront.com/crew and get on the waitlist!