Installing the Waves LV1 Classic: A Complete Church Audio Setup

Setting up a professional audio system in a church environment requires careful planning, strategic routing, and the right tools for the job. Recently, I had the opportunity to install my first Waves LV1 Classic console at River City Baptist in Jacksonville, Florida, and I’m excited to share the entire process with you.

Pre-Installation Show File Preparation

One of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned in church audio is the importance of preparation. Before even stepping foot in the church, I spent considerable time building a comprehensive show file that would serve as our foundation for the weekend services.

Drum Channel Configuration

Since the church currently uses cajones instead of a full drum kit, I focused on optimizing just two drum channels. For the cajon bottom mic, I used a low-pass filter to focus on the low-end thump, while the cajon top mic received a high-pass filter to emphasize the attack and slap sounds. I also added the EMO D5 for compression and gating on both channels. The key here was restraint – without hearing the actual audio in the room, it’s better to start conservative and adjust from there.

Guitar Processing Strategy

For both acoustic and electric guitars, I applied basic compression and added the Magma Tube channel strip that comes with the LV1 Classic. This plugin adds warmth and character to the guitar sound, creating that professional studio quality that congregations have come to expect from modern worship music.

The Double-Patching Vocal Approach

One of the more advanced techniques I implemented was double-patching the vocals. This strategy involves creating monitoring channels that aren’t routed anywhere, alongside tuned vocal channels that feed the house and broadcast mix. This setup allows for real-time pitch correction using Waves Tune while maintaining clean monitoring for the performers.

Strategic Group Processing

Rather than sending individual channels directly to the main left-right output, I routed everything through groups. This approach provides several advantages:

• Drums Group: Allows for cohesive drum processing
• Band Group: Enables overall band glue and compression
• Mic’d Instruments Group: Separate processing for loud stage instruments like brass
• Vocal Group: Centralized vocal processing and effects
• Talk Group: Dedicated spoken word processing
• Computer Graphics Group: Easy control of playback elements

The Side-Chain Secret

One of the most impactful processing decisions was implementing a side-chain compressor using the F6 plugin. I used the preset called “Carve out space for vocals” and side-chained it to the vocal group. This means that as the singers perform, the instrumental frequencies that typically compete with vocals are automatically reduced, creating a cleaner, more professional mix.

Broadcast Mix Architecture

Modern churches need to think beyond just the in-house mix. With online streaming being crucial, I created a dedicated broadcast mix using Matrix 1. This mix receives all the groups plus a “Broadcast Extra” channel that includes room mics and effects specifically mixed for the online audience.

The broadcast extra mix utilizes Monitor 16 as a stereo mix, combining front-of-house mics, stage room mics, and effects returns. This creates a more immersive online experience that captures the energy of the live service.

Effects and Ambience

I set up a comprehensive effects package including:

• Short vocal reverb
• Long vocal reverb
• Vocal delay
• Band reverb
• Drum reverb

Most of these effects use either H-Reverb or TrueVerb, both excellent choices for worship music applications.

Custom Fader Layers: The Game Changer

The LV1 Classic allows up to eight custom fader layers, and I created three specifically tailored to this church’s needs:

Layer 1: Primary mixing layer with DCAs for drums, band, tracks, vocals, talk, computer graphics, and effects, plus individual vocal channels and the pastor mic.

Layer 2: Streamlined music mix with everything needed for worship on just 16 faders.

Layer 3: Dedicated effects control layer for fine-tuning ambience and spatial elements.

Waves Essential vs Ultimate

During the installation, the church opted for the Waves Essential program ($150/year) instead of Ultimate ($250/year). While this meant losing access to some plugins like the CLA-2A compressor, we found excellent alternatives. The R-Compressor’s warm opto setting provided similar characteristics to the CLA-2A, and the Essential package still includes fantastic tools like the CLA-76 and Waves Tune.

The Playlist Rider Advantage

One standout plugin from the Essential package is the Playlist Rider. For churches that want to “set it and forget it” regarding their broadcast levels, this plugin is invaluable. It automatically adjusts the overall mix level to maintain consistent volume for platforms like YouTube and Spotify, reducing the need for constant monitoring during streaming.

Real-World Results

The proof is in the performance, and this system delivered exceptional results across four services. The combination of thoughtful preparation, strategic routing, and quality plugins created a professional sound that enhanced both the in-house worship experience and the online broadcast.

The musicians at River City Baptist – from the skilled cajon player who’s only been playing for a few years to the fantastic vocalists Wes and Emma – made mixing a joy. Great musicians paired with a well-configured system create that magical combination where technology disappears and worship takes center stage.

Key Takeaways for Church Audio Teams

1. Preparation is everything: Build your show file in advance with reasonable starting points
2. Group routing provides flexibility: Never send individual channels directly to mains
3. Think beyond the room: Design your system for both in-house and broadcast excellence
4. Custom layers save time: Tailor your console layout to your team’s workflow
5. Side-chain processing creates space: Use frequency-conscious compression to let vocals shine
6. Choose plugins strategically: You don’t need the most expensive package to get professional results

Looking Forward

River City Baptist plans to add an electric drum kit in the future, which will be perfect for their small, reverberant space. The LV1 Classic system is already configured to handle this expansion seamlessly.

For churches considering an audio upgrade, the LV1 Classic represents an excellent balance of professional features, ease of use, and value. The all-in-one design eliminates the complexity of separate console and plugin systems while providing the processing power needed for modern worship production.

Thinking about upgrading your church’s audio system? Don’t make the mistake of buying equipment twice. Connect with our team at ChurchFront.com/premium to speak with one of our AVL coaches who can help you choose the right equipment for your specific needs and budget.