Over the years (ok..decades) I have helped Churches and other organizations with their A-V systems; dealing mostly with sound reinforcement. I have seen good and bad systems with good and bad (read untrained) operators; with the expected results of a combination of one or both of the previously listed, and some in between. One main thing I have noticed is the lack of instruction of the basics of t
he modern day system. You can take a full semester class on the subject, even get a degree; though this seems to be quite an expensive undertaking unless you are doing it full time. You may also piecemeal classes at trade shows though these too can be a bit pricey and are usually quite specific. Internet researches can be helpful, but still lacking in overall coverage. And if you have someone who trained you how and what to do, were they right? "Don't worry about it - that's the way we have always done it and it seems ok". It is frustrating and almost painful to install a new system, get it dialed in, show the sound operator how to use it, get rave reviews for a couple of weeks, and then.....the phone call. The person who was shown how to operate the system is out ...or... forgot something. SO back I would go, straighten out the problem and re-explain or show anew. I had planned an intensive one week course, but this seemed too long (and too intensive). It needed to be pared down some. In searching I found Curt Taiple's Church Sound Boot Camp. I had most of what I was looking for. The "camp" was modified and upgraded and I conducted some of the seminars. There was more to be covered so the "camp" was tweaked some more. Once again we are offering these intensively fun "camps" for a very reasonable fee at a location near you; or maybe even at your location!
