As many of you know, Beth (my wife) and I have a social media ministry that has really started to take off. Currently, we have a blog, a podcast, a marriage call-in radio show, a video talk show, and a classic/Christian rock-n-roll internet radio station that broadcasts 24/7. We are busy, but we love it! And, for whatever reason, the radio station has started to garner quite a following in France. France!!?? Who knew!
I have to admit, though, there is one source of consistent frustration for me in our ministry. When we started the podcast and talk show, I vowed to have extraordinarily great audio in everything we produce. I always hate when podcasts or YouTube videos have cruddy sound. In my mind, bad audio smacks of cheapness and laziness. Unfortunately, I have not cracked the mediocre sound ceiling. That is to say, I don't think I've reached excellence in audio yet, which drives me crazy!!!
So, after a great deal of research, I decided recently that I need to invest in two pieces of audio equipment that professional voice artists and radio broadcasters use to produce exquisite sound: a compressor and an equalizer. I've already bought the former, and I'm about ready to purchase the latter. The compressor has made the sound ten times better. I can't wait to see what the equalizer does!
Without going into great detail, these electronic devices alter sound waves and/or remove certain frequencies of sound in order to "clean up" the audio. They also block background noises and, thus, isolate the voice for clarity. When you listen to a professional radio broadcast and the broadcaster's voice sounds so clear, crisp, and clean...that's no accident. Some sound engineer somewhere in the station is applying compression and equalization.
Recently, I let my temper get the best of me in the presence of a good friend and colleague. Although I wasn't upset with her, my frustration with a certain situation spilled over and, after I had aired my complaints, I realized I had wounded her emotionally. Fortunately, the Holy Spirit convicted me of my sin, and I was able to apologize. So, all is well. Nevertheless, as I was working on a sound project in my studio last night, it dawned on me that I need to apply some compression and equalization to my tongue (i.e., measure and temper what I let come out of my mouth). I need to remove some unwanted frequencies and change the shape of some sound waves. I need to alter my audio!
Ephesians 4:29 says, "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen" (NIV). What I told my friend was not edifying or beneficial...to her, to me, or to anyone! The question, then, is, "Why did I say it?" Simple...because I'm not allowing God to control my tongue! I'm allowing emotion to drive my speech, which is always a train wreck waiting to happen!
How is your audio these days? Do you need to apply some compression and equalization to your tongue...remove some discordant frequencies and alter the shapes of the things you broadcast? It's true that you don't need compression and equalization to communicate, but if you avoid them, then cruddy audio is probably in your future. And, take it from me, cruddy audio will make you and others feel...well...cruddy.
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