In this episode, the speaker sits down with industry veteran Gary Zman (a seasoned technical director, integrator, and current co-host of the ProSoundWeb Church Sound Podcast) to explore the critical role of culture and relationship in house of worship audio. They move beyond typical gear talk to discuss why tech teams often struggle with internal conflict, how to foster a healthy relationship between musicians and engineers, and why object-based mixing might be the future of volunteer-friendly sound.

Are you upgrading your church tech because you need to—or because you’re chasing what the church down the street has? In this episode of Enhance Don’t Distract, I sit down with Spencer DeYoung (MXU) to talk leadership, stewardship, and how to make wise AVL decisions that actually serve your church.We dig into the real purpose of live production in church, why gear isn’t the enemy (but our motives can be), and how churches can prioritize training and systems over impulse purchases. We also talk through the tension between online retailers and integrators, why the “lowest quote” mindset can cost more long-term, and how to build vendor relationships that lead to better outcomes.If you’re a church leader, tech director, worship leader, or volunteer trying to stretch a limited budget without compromising excellence, this conversation will help you think clearly and move forward with confidence.Topics covered:The purpose of church production (audio, lighting, video) and where it helps or distractsStewardship: spending less vs. spending wiselyWhy churches often overbuild video and underinvest in audioHow to evaluate upgrades: people, process, and prioritiesIntegrator vs. lowest-bid shopping: how to approach quotes and trustVolunteer development and why training outperforms buying more gearGuest: Spencer DeYoung, CEO of MXUHost: Justin Edmonds, Enhance Don’t DistractPodcastSpotify: https://rb.gy/d4elq4Apple: https://rb.gy/zuw4a4Email: Justin@enhanceavl.comjordan@enhanceavl.comhttps://www.enhanceavl.com/

Immersive audio is one of the most talked-about trends in church sound—but what does it actually mean?

In this conversation, Justin and Luke Vogel unpack immersive audio in practical terms, breaking down the two core technologies behind it: object-based mixing (spatial audio) and active/virtual acoustics. We explain how immersive systems differ from traditional stereo and LCR PA designs, why they don’t cost “500x more,” and how they can dramatically improve clarity, consistency, and musicality—especially for volunteer mixing teams.

You’ll learn why immersive audio feels like the next evolution after mono, stereo, and line arrays, how placing sources in 3D space reduces EQ conflicts, and why immersive systems are becoming more accessible for churches than ever before. If you’ve heard immersive is “only for Broadway or mega-venues,” this episode will reset the narrative.

Email:

Justin@enhanceavl.com

jordan@enhanceavl.com

https://www.enhanceavl.com/