The Tech Arts Podcast

On today’s episode of The Tech Arts Podcast, we’re joined by one of the most in-demand mix engineers on the planet—Chris Rabold. If you’ve ever seen Beyoncé, Bruno Mars, Lady Gaga, Kenny Chesney, Justin Bieber, Alicia Keys, or Norah Jones live, chances are you’ve experienced his work. Chris has mixed some of the biggest shows and most iconic artists on earth, shaping the sound behind stages that feel as massive as the audiences the...

In this bonus segment, Mic Techniques with Earthworks Audio, we dive into the Earthworks Podium Microphones — a precision-engineered line designed to capture every nuance of the spoken word with unmatched clarity and presence. Earthworks Podium Mics deliver natural, intelligible speech right out of the box, minimizing the need for heavy EQ or feedback suppression.

Whether you’re addressing a congregation, leading a conference, or s...

When it comes to church projects, bids and quotes often feel like the same thing—but they’re not. And if you don’t know the difference, it could cost you more than you think.

In this episode of The Tech Arts Podcast, David Leuschner sits down with Ryan Cowen, President of Paragon 360, to unpack The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of Bids. Ryan brings over 17 years of AVL experience to the table, sharing how churches can avoid costly mi...

Why does design matter?

Brought to you by Paragon 360

At Paragon 360®, we design and build award-winning sight, sound, and scenic solutions for places of worship, auditoriums, sports complexes, amusement parks, corporate spaces, and other venues of all sizes across many market segments. Our ability to make just about any space look, feel and sound exceptional - all with unbeatable customer service and serious attention to detail – ...

Have you ever wondered why tech ministry can feel so confusing—or if there’s a better way to unlock the full power of ProPresenter? In this episode, David Leuschner welcomes Paul Clifford from Trinity Digital Media, a leading voice in helping churches reach their redemptive potential through technology.

Paul unpacks the features and integrations that make ProPresenter more than just presentation software—covering essentials like Pl...

🎙️ Bonus Segment – David Leuschner sits down with Phil Cooke, Ph.D., co-founder and CEO of Cooke Media Group, to talk about his upcoming classes at CFX | Capture Summit 2025 (churchfacilitiesexpo.com). With a career that spans producing media programming in nearly 70 countries, creating some of the most influential inspirational TV programs in history, and consulting for Hollywood studios, major nonprofits, and globally respected ...

In this episode of The Tech Arts Podcast, host David Leuschner sits down with Nick D’Angelo, Brand Manager at ProLights, for a deep dive into lighting that every tech should hear. From front light and key light to cyc lights and house lights, Nick unpacks the essentials—and reveals how ProLights has taken house lighting to the next level by transforming it into a Wi-Fi extender. You’ll hear how it works, why it’s a game-changer, an...

On this episode of The Tech Arts Podcast, host David Leuschner sits down with church production leader Dennis Choy to tackle a timeless question: How do you work with creatives and still be friends? With over 30 years of experience building behind-the-scenes ministry teams at churches like North Coast, Saddleback, and Skyline, Dennis shares hard-earned wisdom and practical strategies for navigating the tension between structure and...

In this episode of The Tech Arts Podcast, we dive into the world of AVL networking with special guests Anthony Stofflet, Brand Manager for Luminex, and Greg Persinger of Vivid Illumination. Together, they unpack the differences between IT and AVL networks, explain why reliability matters more than ever, and explore how Luminex is making network setup and management easier for churches and production teams of all sizes. From VLANs t...

In this episode David Leuschner dives deep into audio mixing fundamentals that every engineer—especially those in church tech—needs to master. Sharing wisdom from 37 years of experience, David reveals game-changing mixing tips on plug-ins, vocals and how understanding musicality transforms your mix. Listen to hear a powerful vocal mix insight from legendary engineer Ken "Pooch" Van Druten. This episode also challenges you on how to...

At Paragon 360®, we design and build award-winning sight, sound, and scenic solutions for places of worship, auditoriums, sports complexes, amusement parks, corporate spaces, and other venues of all sizes across many market segments. Our ability to make just about any space look, feel and sound exceptional - all with unbeatable customer service and serious attention to detail – has earned us a first-in-class reputation we’re honore...

In this bonus segment, Mic Techniques with Earthworks Audio, we dive into the Earthworks Drum Microphones — a precision-engineered line designed to capture every nuance of your drum kit with unmatched clarity and impact. Known for their lightning-fast transient response and exceptional off-axis rejection, Earthworks Drum Mics deliver a natural, punchy sound right out of the box, minimizing the need for heavy EQ or processing.

Wheth...

In this episode, Willow Hodge from Hope Fellowship Church dives into the vital role that technology plays in modern worship environments. From sound engineering to lighting, video, and behind-the-scenes tech workflows, Willow shares insights from her experience serving in church tech ministry. She discusses how these "technical instruments" support and enhance the worship experience without becoming a distraction, and emphasizes th...

In this bonus segment, Mic Techniques with Earthworks Audio, we explore the SR117 Vocal Microphone by Earthworks Audio, a supercardioid condenser vocal microphone designed for exceptional live performance. Combining the clarity of a condenser with the reliability of a dynamic mic, the SR117 offers transcendent sound quality that's easy to mix without extensive adjustments. Its superior pattern control ensures maximum feedback rejec...

What does excellence truly mean in the world of creative ministry? In this episode, we sit down with Bryan Bailey to unpack the DNA of excellence—how it’s defined, how it’s pursued, and why it’s not just copying what another church is doing.

We tackle key questions like:

• How do you define excellence in creative ministry?
• Does the DNA of your church matter when it comes to excellence? (Spoiler Alert - YES it does! Find out How ...

In this bonus segment, Choir Mic Techniques with Earthworks Audio, we explore the challenges of amplifying a choir effectively and how to achieve a natural, balanced sound. Since microphones, placement, PA systems, and processing are all interconnected, misalignment can lead to feedback, distortion, poor blend, and lack of clarity. This special segment talks about how to master choir miking, we break it down into five levels. First...

In this episode of The Tech Arts Podcast, we continue our deep dive into professionalism with industry veteran David Hatmaker. With an impressive career that includes working with Vice President Dan Quayle, Neil Armstrong, Bob Iger, Gloria Estefan, Shakira, Martina McBride, New Kids on the Block, and more, Dave brings unparalleled insight into what it means to operate at the highest levels of the industry. From his time at Walt Dis...