Comments on: Worship Leaders - Should Sound Teams Recycle Batteries?

By: aaron Slaten

aaron Slaten — Thu, 15 Feb 2007 03:10:41 +0000

I prefer wired mics. I would rather spend $500 on a great wired mic instead of spending $700+ on a wireless mic that I have to buy batteries for. The ability to move my mic isn’t that important enough to me to want to go wireless.
FYI, I prefer the Audix VX10.

By: Scott Hill

Scott Hill — Wed, 14 Feb 2007 20:27:10 +0000

Does everyone think it is necessary to use new batteries before every service? We use 5 wireless devices at our church and I know that I can get through 4 services and 2 rehearsals with my Beta87 wireless before the battery goes bad. Plus it has a light that tells me the battery is weak. Our technicians keep up with the batteries in each device and keep a running tab on how much battery has been used in each device. They have it down to a science now as to how much battery each device uses. So far it has not caused a problem for us. I know that may be impossible to do for a church the size of Covenant Life, but it might work for some smaller worship teams.

I also order Duracell Procells by the case from the internet. A case of 72 is $80 plus $5 shipping. This alone saves me %50 of the cost of purchasing retail at somewhere like Walmart. batterywarehousedirect.com

This is off topic, but Bob have you heard the CD of Amy Carmichael’s poems but to music? I ran across it yesterday while looking for a song. It is worth a listen. You can find it at jimspencermusic.com.

By: Gur Yur

Gur Yur — Wed, 14 Feb 2007 05:25:16 +0000

Greetings, this is Gary Yue (am Gur Yur online) from Singapore.

Must first say that I have been blessed through the ministry of Bob’s worship music starting from the Chosen Treasure CD album during my college days, and have been convinced of the continual focus on the accuracy of the theology and passion for authentic worship as exhibited through his blog.

I am part of my church’s AV crew and am heartened to see such a topic discussed here, with application towards the holistic approach of ‘why we do it’. So that in everything, to God be given the glory.

However, in the cultural, political and philosophical context regarding the somewhat unspoken but predominant driving element of the ‘green’ movement (as well as global warming issues) being associated with the new-age movement, I personally do not subscribe to the view of attaching the virtue of stewardship as responsible Christian AV technicians with regards to recycling of batteries. This is one among many other considerations I always take upon myself - to discern the potential for any form or essence of ‘impurity’ that will ‘corrupt’ (for lack of two better words) the motives behind any good intention.

Hopefully I have articulated or expressed my views well enough for everyone to be understood and I invite any comments on these.

Blessings to all in Christ
Gary

By: Aaron Campbell

Aaron Campbell — Tue, 13 Feb 2007 20:23:03 +0000

I was very very skeptical of making the switch to rechargable batteries. I’m aware of the difficulties with them, but we’ve been using 9V NiMh 250mah rechargable batteries in our church for nearly 2 years. We put one in each of our wireless devices at the beginning of the morning, it lasts throughout our two services, and then I have the media guys put them back into the recharger. We’ve experienced no problems with batteries dying mid-service, always have batteries on hand, and have saved a chunk of change in the process. The batteries we use can be found at http://www.horizonbattery.com. The cost upfront is significantly more than alkaline batteries, but well worth it in the long run. If nothing else, purchase a few and try them out in your rehearsals and see what you think.

By: Bob Kauflin

Bob Kauflin — Mon, 12 Feb 2007 14:10:29 +0000

Gracevet,

Thanks for your comment. In light of the countless sins we’ve been forgiven of through the cross, it is no problem to forgive you!

Thanks for the Noel Due mention as well. He has many good things to say.

By: gracevet

gracevet — Mon, 12 Feb 2007 10:05:03 +0000

sorry guys I re-read what I wrote and it was most most ungracious - please forgive me.

Oh - by the way I see you have Noel Due’s book on your reading list. If you have time - I’d invite you to take a listen to his teaching at http://www.sermonaudio.com - he has been blessed with a tremendous gift of teaching and I often listen to his messages.(just put noel due in search at sermonaudio.com)

By: Dustin Benton

Dustin Benton — Mon, 12 Feb 2007 02:48:06 +0000

I might give a little insight to it all being in the cellular phone business. I would recommend a Lithium Ion Battery pack, if you can’t buy them in the correct voltage, shape, etc.. I know several companies that custom make them just like their Ncd counterparts. the LIon batteries are great on life, rechargable, and don’t have a “memory” which lessens battery life. That might be a good solution for all your “juicing” needs!

By: Jonathan

Jonathan — Sun, 11 Feb 2007 08:50:30 +0000

Bob and Dave,

Thank you both for your insight on the whole battery issue and more importantly, for the reminder to focus on the Gospel when deliberating over decisions such as these.

~Jonathan

By: matthewsmith

matthewsmith — Sat, 10 Feb 2007 19:33:39 +0000

No joke, guys– the day that I posted my comment, I played a concert that night where my wireless mic ran out of juice during a song. You can’t make this stuff up.

I’m going to change my rider to ban all wireless mics from my concerts. Join me in the wired revolution!

By: DavidR

DavidR — Sat, 10 Feb 2007 11:41:39 +0000

If Matthew Smith, who prefers “a wired SM58 any day“, would plug in a Sennheiser e845, he would have even more joy in his life, and still avoid battery use.

David Reimer (who has been much blessed by Matthew Smith’s music)