 In this video, we will learn what CrowdMics are and how to connect and configure them. CrowdMics are one or more condenser microphones positioned in your worship space to enhance fully digital and hybrid worship. They enable digital participants in your worship service the ability to hear congregational responses, such as the call and response of the call to worship or the Psalm. CrowdMics are connected to your broadcast mixer. They are not connected to your house sound system. In addition to picking up congregational responses, CrowdMics are ideal for hybrid worship because they are used to mic your pipe organ as well. For this reason, I recommend using two microphones to produce a stereo image. RODE sells an affordable microphone kit, the M5, that includes two matched pair microphones and microphone clips. These mics, paired with a RODE stereo bridge, allow for a pair of these mics to be mounted on a single microphone stand in an ORTF pattern. To get the best possible sound, it is important to get your CrowdMics positioned well above the congregation. The Conig and Meyer 2811 is one such overhead mic stand that has wide stable tripod legs and a 14-foot height that places the mics in an ideal position over the congregation. For mic-ing organs, placement will depend on where the organs swell, choir and solo divisions are located relative to the congregation. But in general, the mic should be placed as close to the center aisle as possible toward the rear of the sanctuary with the microphones facing the chancel. If you are using the RODE stereo bridge, be sure to keep the 3-8th thread adapters in place, otherwise you can remove them. Connect the female end of an XLR mic cable to the rear of each mic. The other end of the mic cable, the male end will connect with the corresponding microphone input on your broadcast mixer. In this example, we'll be selecting channels 3 and 4 on our mixer, since these are available. Start by pressing the mute buttons on both channels and turn down the channel gain. Since these are condenser microphones, be sure to enable phantom power on the mixer. Plug in both microphones, assuring that the microphone on the left is connected to channel 3 and the right microphone is connected to channel 4. Raise the faders on the two channels to 0 dB or unity gain. To carry a stereo image, turn the pan control on channel 3 to the left and the pan control on channel 4 to the right. Unmute both channels and then raise the gain control on each channel to the desired level. You may need to adjust the overall level of each channel using the faders during your worship service. With the crowd microphone set up and properly configured, your digital participants and worship will feel more connected to the overall worship experience. Thank you for viewing this short video if you have any questions about the microphones and their configuration that I haven't answered. I invite you to email me at the address shown below.