A startup-to-shutdown checklist your volunteer sound team can run from every Sunday — what to check before the first song, what to watch during the service, and how to shut down clean. Print it, pin it by the booth, or have a copy emailed to whoever is running sound this week.
Before the first song
Power on in this order: the console first, then powered speakers and amps last, so they aren't on to amplify the thump the console and processing make as they power up.
Load the saved Sunday scene on the console instead of rebuilding it from memory.
Line-check every mic you'll use today, one at a time, starting with the pastor's headset.
Check the wireless headset mic, and confirm fresh batteries, or a full charge, in every pack, with the spare headset on the shelf.
Listen to each open mic: a steady hum or buzz is a cable or power problem, not feedback; swap the cable first.
Test the stream with headphones plugged into the encoder's output — not the console's headphone jack — or watch the live stream on a phone, and confirm you hear audio and that it's in sync with the picture.
Confirm the recording is armed.
Assign one person to watch the stream on a phone or laptop, with earbuds, throughout the service.
During the service
If feedback starts: pull that mic's fader down now. Note which mic and where the person was standing. Fix the EQ after the service — not live.
If a headset drops out: hand over the spare headset at the next pause and bring up its channel, then swap the battery pack afterward.
If the stream freezes: the stream watcher tells the booth. Restart the encoder's stream, not the console — the recording keeps the full service either way.
Keep peaks around the middle of the meter, never in the red. If a channel goes red, turn that channel's gain (trim) knob down a notch, not the fader; the fader won't clear the red. Note it for the next soundcheck.
After the service
Do not save over the Sunday scene — recall it fresh again next week.
Stop the recording and confirm the file saved.
End the stream.
Mute the channels, then turn off phantom power before unplugging condenser mics.
Power off in reverse order: speakers and amps first, console last, for the same reason.
Put the wireless packs on their chargers.
Write down anything that misbehaved, for whoever runs sound next.
