This post is going to be a bit of a rant.
A recent reply we got at work for a quote to replace a non-functioning piece of equipment, inspired me to write this post.
I went in for a service call and found a piece of equipment that was no longer functioning. I spent an hour determining that they needed said equipment replaced. We provided them a quote on replacing it with the exact same piece. Their reply was that is too expensive and “we don’t have any budget to replace or repair equipment. Can you find us something cheaper?” I checked and there was nothing.
Then it occurred to me: how many organizations have a repair/replacement budget for some of the most important and often the most expensive equipment they own? [Look at my post about investing in your Sound System and Sound Team (my first post after the introduction) to see my thoughts on why a sound system is the most important equipment in a church.] So I inquired to a few churches so see if they had a budget for replacing or repairing their sound equipment. They all said, “nope”!
Why is that, I thought? So when I asked why not, the reply was that they never thought they needed it.
Now this rant isn’t a result of only one situation as I described. I have encountered this situation several times.
So how much should be set aside and how? Well, how to financially? Book keeping wise, I don’t know as I am not an accountant. How much? Good question it could be…..? Well any amount actually. But my recommendation would be to set aside some money monthly until you have at minimum, the replacement cost of the most expensive piece of sound gear you have, plus some estimated labour costs to replace it. I am sure your churches’ accountant could find a way to set aside these funds.
Remember, you need your sound equipment to get the message out!
So just a short post this time.
Sound clips coming soon. Mic placement comparisons.
Feel free to comment on this or any other post. Also please contact me for questions I could answer on this blog as well.
Wide Q 