Here's a video tip for those of you trying to figure out why your in-ear monitor buds keep falling out.  Hint: You're not inserting them correctly!  I find this is the case most of the time.  Lucky for you and your team, I've put together a short video blog to show you how to do it right.  See below or go to my moreofYOUinthemonitor YouTube channel.

Easy Pay Plans - Online music stores

So you know you need some great gear, but great gear is expensive.  How in the world do you afford it all?  First, I would advise that you carefully consider the gear you need and to search around for the right price.  Beware going into debt over this; it's not worth it.  If you use a credit card, after interest is considered, you may end up paying for the gear 4 times over.  There are better ways to afford the gear you need.  This should be especially important for those i'm trying to help out: the Christian musician.  Here are some ways to afford the gear you need that you may not know about...

There are several music gear store websites that offer easy-pay plans.  These plans allow you to buy gear, have it shipped to you, and pay for it in monthly installments without interest and without a financing plan.  If you have a visa debit card to your bank account, you can do this.  You can do this with your credit card, too, but please be careful with charges to your credit card.  These companies do a basic credit check, but it does not open any account and isn't reported to your credit report (unless you fail to be able to pay, in which case they CAN report to the credit agencies).

American Musical Supply (ams) - www.americanmusical.com  -  this company is great!  If you purchase gear $250-$995, you have the option to pay for it in 3 equal payments.  For example, if you buy $300 worth of gear, the first payment is due upon purchase (plus shipping), so shipping is $15, your first payment is $115.  The card you used to buy will then automatically be drafted $100 on the same day the next month, and then again the month after that to complete your purchase.  The best part is that you don't have to wait until payment is complete.  They send you the gear as soon as you order.  If your gear is over $1000, they'll break it up into 5 payments.  This is a great way to afford gear without having to drop all the cash at once.  Unless you have a money tree.  They charge a $10 fee for using the easy pay.

zzounds.com - zZounds does a 4 payment plan similar to AMS.  This company is also great.  Also charges a $10 fee.

sweetwater.com - Sweetwater recently started a 3-pay plan that is similar to AMS and zZounds.  Sweetwater charges a $10 fee to do the plan and you have to call to place the order.  Sweetwater is a wildly popular music store and they have some great products.

All of these online music stores offer great products and great services.  Go to the website and check it out for yourself.  It's a great way to afford the gear you need for your church, band, or your personal studio.

Shure Notes is a great resource for those in a live sound and worship music environment.  This issue includes an article on how run a soundcheck in your church.  It's a great article for the sound guy and musician alike.  Shure Notes has a ton of other articles pertaining to many things with houses of worship.  Be sure to check them out.

Also, you can subscribe to Shure Notes and get them in your email every month.  Please keep in mind, that this article is from one worship leader/sound guy's experience.  Often, running a soundcheck is subjective to the sound guy.  But for sure, this guy has some great, practical tips for getting the best mix. 

We'll go into more detail in future entries with many of the soundcheck elements.
You can read the Shure Notes article on running a soundcheck in your church here.  Enjoy!