Guide to the Best Soundboard for Church

Editor’s Choice

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• EQs are smooth-sounding
• With a concise user manual
• Individual and dynamic LCD scribble strips on all channels

Best Overall

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• Has 32 MIDAS-designed fully programmable mic preamps
• Has 25 fully-automated motorized faders that allow for instant overview, powerful scene management, and DAW control
• Features a 40-input channel in a 25-bus rack-mountable

Budget-Friendly

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• Has 16 TASCAM effects like reverb, delay, chorus, and flange
• Comprehensive, simplified menu tree
• Lightweight

If you are in a hurry and just want to find out what the best soundboard for Church is, then I’d recommend the BEHRINGER X32 40-Input 25-Bus Digital Mixing Console as the best one.

In every gathering, whether inside or outside the church, good music and sound systems matter. And thanks to our ever-evolving technology, there are already a lot of options available to improve the quality of church sound we can produce.

Paul stated in Romans 10:17 that faith comes from hearing the message. Although the word “hearing” here is not just about literally listening to God’s Word, we could still apply this message to all modern churches. Hearing God’s Word should be the priority of all churches. With that being said, a good sound system must be every church’s priority so that the Word of God can be heard clearly by the whole congregation.

As the layout of church services constantly changes, the demand for a good sound soundboard is also evolving. Whether you’re in a small or big church, a good soundboard is a must.

Here are the Best Soundboards for Church we’ll be reviewing:

• BEHRINGER X32 40-Input 25-Bus Digital Mixing Console
• Allen & Heath SQ-6 Digital Mixer
• Zoom LiveTrak L-20 Digital Mixer 
• Tascam Model 24 24-track Multi-Track Recording Studio
• Rockville RPM1870 Powered Mixer

Benefits of Soundboard for Churches

A soundboard is a console used to change the dynamics, equalization, and other properties of multiple audio channels and mix all audio inputs to have a balanced output. Without a good soundboard, it will be hard to produce balanced audio in church services.

The soundboard is the foundation of a church sound system. While other equipment like speakers, monitors, cables, and microphones are important, a soundboard is an integral part of pulling all these tools together and creating quality sound.

Having a quality soundboard is vital to every church service in two aspects: music and the message.

Music

In the church, if you are using high-quality instruments and have a great choir, a good soundboard can help produce the best quality of music. It allows the congregation to have a worship experience without being distracted by other noise. Music is important in the Church as it sets the mood for the members. Singing and listening to worship songs prepares the heart of the congregation as it can set their hearts and minds right before listening to God’s message.

Message

Having a good soundboard in your church can help the congregation to hear the words being spoken by the Pastor clearly. And if the message can be heard properly, it can be understood easily. The clearer the message that is being delivered, the more the congregation can concentrate. It enables the listeners to hear the message without confusion since soundboards can help produce clear audio and volume.

Digital and Analog Soundboards

There are two main categories for soundboards: analog and digital soundboards. Whether a soundboard is digital or analog, its job is the same, which is to take signals from multiple inputs and combine them to produce an output. The difference between analog and digital soundboards, however, is whether audio signals are processed in analog form or converted to digital form. 

Analog Soundboard

Analog Soundboards are cheaper than digital soundboards; however, their features are limited. It only has a few channels and a basic set of mixing features. It is easier to operate as it usually has one control per function, and all these controls are visible and accessible via one control panel. Lastly, it has dedicated controls for each channel which allows you to easily control the mics, EQ, and other settings.

Its layout is pretty simple and easy to understand. These are the types of soundboards that are commonly used, especially in public events or in schools where someone who has no experience in mixing needs to operate a soundboard.

Digital Mixer for Church

Compared to analog ones, digital soundboards are complicated to operate but are more flexible. Digital soundboards provide channel equalizers, in-line dynamics, and various effects. Unlike analog soundboards with inputs linked to individual channels, digital soundboards have no individual channels, and a large number of inputs are controlled by faders.

Several mixing options are available, as well as various effects, which means you may no longer need to purchase other external signal processing devices. Some modern digital soundboards also have a Wi-Fi control option where artists onstage can adjust mixes through their mobile devices.

A big advantage of having a digital mixer is it allows you to pre-program controls ahead of time. While digital soundboards may seem better due to their advanced options, operating digital soundboards requires familiarity as their layout is different than analog soundboards.

In general, digital soundboards are more expensive than analog ones; however, there are already cheaper and more affordable digital soundboards available in the market which you can use depending on your church’s need.

Few Things to Consider in Choosing a Soundboard for Church

Choosing the best soundboard for your church is not just a matter of choosing between digital and analog. Choosing the best soundboard is a hard task, as you need to consider things before choosing from the limitless options available. Here are a few:

Who will operate the church sound systems

It is important to have a few dedicated people operate your soundboard and buy a soundboard that will suit them. Most churches nowadays make the mistake of buying too complicated soundboards only to find out that their members can’t operate them. Consider training your team as well if you plan to buy a digital soundboard that is more complex.

How many channels are required?

Make sure to count the number of audio channels and microphone inputs that are needed and make room for future expansions. How many sound system devices does your church have? How many microphones? Do you need additional outputs for live streaming? Make sure to consider all these when choosing a soundboard.

How big is your church?

A church with 5000 people may require more complex soundboards compared to churches with 50 people. It is also important to consider your worship style. If you are buying a soundboard just to amplify the message from the Pastor, an analog soundboard may be good. But if you want to reinforce a large choir or worship team with more instruments, a complex digital soundboard may be required.

How much is your budget?

Having a great sound at your church doesn’t have to be luxurious or too expensive. What matters is buying a soundboard that your church can afford.

Buy a soundboard that will commit to meeting your needs but will save you more money in the long run. Here are the 5 best soundboards for church that you can choose from:

BEHRINGER X32 40-Input 25-Bus Digital Mixing Console

Most prefer the Behringer X-32 Compact 40-Input Bus Digital Mixing Console as the best in digital mixing. It features an input channel 25-bus digital mixing console for studio and live applications.

This soundboard can be easily set up with in-ear monitors, which are useful for worship leaders and singers. It has an upgradable unit firmware. Also, it is very flexible, as you can assign buttons to do other functions. It features 8 assignable DCA channels that can control several channels simultaneously. It also has built-in effects, all are of good quality. Overall, this soundboard has it all. 

Pros:

• Has 32 MIDAS-designed fully programmable mic preamps
• Has 25 fully-automated motorized faders that allow for instant overview, powerful scene management, and DAW control
• Features a 40-input channel in a 25-bus rack-mountable
• It has a 32 x 32 channel USB 2.0 audio interface, with DAW remote control emulating HUI* and Mackie Control
• Offers 16 XLR outputs with 6 additional line in/outputs, a connector for phones, and XLR mic input with a talkback section
• It can be controlled remotely via an iPad or iPhone app.

Cons:

• Need to learn to operate especially if coming from an analog soundboard
• An external router is needed if you want to use the wireless function

Allen & Heath SQ-6 Digital Mixer

The SQ-6 from Allen & Health is easier to operate compared to other digital soundboards. It has multiple layers that allow you to switch between your views. It has a PAFL (Pre/After Fader Level) that allows you to listen to other particular channels and adjust what you want to hear. The SQ-6 is one of the most searched church sound systems in the market today.

It has various controls that allow you to adjust a particular channel. It also has other soft buttons and dials that can be used to program to fulfill different functions. 

Pros:

• EQs are smooth-sounding
• With a concise user manual
• Individual and dynamic LCD scribble strips on all channels
• 7″ Colour Touchscreen
• 25 Faders (24 channels plus a master)
• 24 Onboard Preamps
• 16 SoftKeys AES Digital Output

Cons:

• Lack of PFL cancel
• No external inserts

Zoom LiveTrak L-20 Digital Mixer

The Zoom LiveTrak L-20 Digital Mixer is an easy-to-use digital soundboard that lets you record up to 22 individual channels. It also has a feature where you can create custom headphone mixes for up to six members and craft a live mix complete with effects.

The Zoom LiveTrak L-20 is also equipped with several operation modes like audio interface mode and USB Host mode. This is one of the best digital mixers for the church today. 

Pros:

• Has a built-in 22-track SD Recorder
• Has 16 Channels for compression
• 20-22 Channel SD Card Recorder
• 22-in/4-out USB Audio Interface
• 6 Customizable Outputs
• Wireless iOS Control

Cons:

• You need to download the manual online
• The unit is noisy

Tascam Model 24 24-track Multi-Track Recording Studio

The Tascam Model 24 is a 24-track recorder with a punch-in/out capability for up to 24 simultaneous tracks. It has powerful recording and mixing features. Also, it is compact, and it combines the simplicity of analog with the flexibility of digital soundboards. It has an incredible sound quality which perfectly fits small churches. 

Features 16 high-grade TASCAM mic preamps and multiple stereo line inputs for studio-quality audio performance right out of the box. It can act as a powerful audio interface and will connect directly to your PC or Mac for easy integration with your DAW of choice. It is also designed to be both lightweight and rugged, it can easily be carried from studio to stage with confidence in its reliability.

Pros:

• Has 16 TASCAM effects like reverb, delay, chorus, and flange
• Comprehensive, simplified menu tree
• Lightweight
• Simple, Intuitive Design
• Flexible Connectivity

Cons:

• Not fit for large churches

Rockville RPM1870 Powered Mixer

The Rockville RPM1870 is a versatile soundboard that has one of the clearest sound quality with good quality mic preamps. Though a little compact, it doesn’t overheat even when using it for hours. Even with volumes up, the sound can fill a room with good quality.

It features channels with independent EQ, gain, and reverb. It also has a graphic EQ, USB, and SD playback, all housed in a wooden enclosure.

Pros:

• Powerful for small churches
• Clear and precise sound quality without distortion
• 18 Channels
• Built-in USB
• 24-bit digital effects processor
• 16 preset effects

Cons:

• Fans are loud
• Lack of a dedicated monitor

Conclusion

Whether your church is small or big, having a quality soundboard that can meet your church’s needs is a must. In choosing the best soundboard for your church, always consider the price, the complexity of the soundboard, and the expertise of the user, and can cater to all your input and output needs. 

For all these factors, the best I can recommend is the Behringer X-32 Compact 40-Input Bus Digital Mixing Console. Its MIDAS mic preamps are among the best preamps available, and with 32 preamps, it is more than enough to handle a full-size choir. For its price, it matches all the features needed by all churches, whatever the size.