How one pastor created a dedicated live stream audio mix to help online users stay engaged without too much cost or effort.
Creating an audio experience that works for both in person and online audiences
For many churches, live stream audio is an afterthought. The same mix that's designed for the room gets sent directly to online viewers, even though the environments of those audiences are completely different.
When James Cheney joined Hillcrest Baptist Church as Pastor of Students and Technology, he knew there was an opportunity to improve the live stream experience by investing in audio. A large percentage of the congregation engages with the stream with some regularity, so he knew improving the overall streaming experience was a strategic way to reach people more effectively.
At the same time, he also understood the various challenges in church production: creating a mix that sounds great online without adding unnecessary equipment, complexity, or cost.
Traditional workflows often require additional hardware, dedicated spaces, or complicated routing for every connection. James wanted a solution that would allow him to create a dedicated stream mix while keeping the process simple enough to manage on his own, as well as at a small enough cost that fit his budget.
A dedicated live stream mix without additional hardware or complicated workflows
James was already familiar with BoxCast from his college church, where he helped set up live streaming for the first time. When he learned about BoxCast’s newest product, Mixing Station Anywhere, he immediately saw the potential for his stream audio.
Instead of trying to create a single mix that serves both the sanctuary and online viewers, Mixing Station Anywhere allowed James to build a dedicated stream mix from a quiet location, undistracted by the in-house mix. Hillcrest's first Sunday service is never streamed, so James is able to attend it as a worshipper and attend to any technical needs that come up in the room. Then during the second service, which is streamed online, he mixes remotely from his office using studio monitors and headphones to hear exactly what viewers hear.
The workflow fits naturally into his existing equipment setup. Using an Allen & Heath SQ7, James can remotely control the stream mix on the digital mixer by configuring EQ, compression, gain, and other mixing tools without needing to learn a completely new system. James shared that Mixing Station Anywhere’s interface feels like a traditional soundboard, which made it easy to use from day one.
Higher quality stream audio with immediate positive feedback from viewers
The impact was noticeable almost immediately.
Within the first week of using Mixing Station Anywhere, viewers began contacting James to share how much the stream quality improved. His individual effort in creating a mix specifically for those participating online delivered a more polished experience without adding significant cost or complexity to the church’s production workflow or equipment.
One of the biggest advantages James shared was the ability to monitor and adjust audio in near real time. Instead of relying on end user streams which have some level of delay, Mixing Station Anywhere provides low latency audio and video previews instantly, allowing James to make confident adjustments while the service is happening.
Optimal Audio for Online Viewers
Creating a dedicated live stream mix doesn't have to require expensive equipment or complicated production workflows. By separating the in room mix from the online mix, James has been able to improve the viewing experience for remote audiences while maintaining a simple setup that's easy to manage.
Technology that Supports Ministry
James believes technology should help churches connect with people, not create barriers. With Mixing Station Anywhere, he's able to focus less on technical limitations and more on delivering a quality worship experience for viewers wherever they're watching.