🎚️ Are We Compressing God Out of Our Music?

Hey team,

After a recent issue, a reader sent one of the most thought-provoking emails I've received. He was responding to the poll at the end of the newsletter and suggested a third option: "Somewhat Valuable."

He then explained why, and his reasoning hit me hard. He wrote:

"In today's modern worship songs, there is a tendency to maximize the lyrics/message and minimize the musical instrumentation. Musicians are relegated to providing a backdrop... we are limiting facets of worship by putting the music itself into quite a small box. To use an audio analogy, we are like compressors/limiters, confining the creative musical aspects of worship."

It’s a profound question that deserves a deep dive: Are we, as the technical stewards of worship, unintentionally compressing the full expression of praise that God invites?

SUNDAYMIX MAIN LESSON

Main Lesson: Let the Instruments Speak

Our reader is right. In our necessary pursuit of a clear vocal, it's easy to adopt a philosophy where lyrics are the only thing that matters, and every instrument is just functional support.

But the Bible paints a much richer, more vibrant picture of musical worship. Just read Psalm 150:

"Praise him with trumpet sound; praise him with lute and harp! Praise him with tambourine and dance; praise him with strings and pipe! Praise him with sounding cymbals; praise him with loud clashing cymbals! Let everything that has breath praise the Lord!"

Notice the emphasis: it is an explosion of instrumental voices, each commanded to praise God with its unique character. The psalm doesn't say to praise God with words about the trumpet; it commands praise with the trumpet sound itself. In the hands of a worshiper, the instrument is given "breath" to praise its Creator.

This isn't a new idea. Martin Luther said music is not an invention of man, but a creation of God. When Handel was given the scriptures for his masterpiece, The Messiah, it was his brilliant musical treatment that breathed life into those texts and has moved hearts for centuries. This reveals a profound philosophical truth: music is not merely a vehicle for a message; at times, the music is the message.

This reframes our job behind the console. We are not just the stewards of the lead vocal. We are the stewards of every voice God has placed on that stage—both human and instrumental.

This fundamentally changes our job description. We are no longer just traffic cops for frequencies, trying to keep things from crashing into each other. We become musical curators, a co-conductor with the worship leader. But we are not left to our own artistic whims in this task. We have a guide. The Bible tells us that when it was time to build the tabernacle, God filled Bezalel "with the Spirit of God, with ability and intelligence, with knowledge and all craftsmanship" (Exodus 31:3). That same Spirit is available to us, giving us the spiritual discernment and creative wisdom to decide which voice needs to be amplified in each moment to tell the song's full story. When we operate in this partnership with the Holy Spirit, we don't just create a clearer mix; we create a richer, more dynamic experience for the congregation. We give them more access points to connect with God—through the poetry of the lyrics, the passion of the singer, and the powerful, wordless voice of an instrument played with skill and adoration.

Practical Application: How to "Un-Compress" the Mix

How do we practically apply this? How do we create a mix that allows the instruments to have their own voice without turning into a chaotic mess?

• Think in Moments. Every instrument doesn't need to be a lead instrument all the time. A great mix is a conversation. Listen for the moments. When the electric guitarist steps out with a soaring, melodic line, that is his moment to "speak." When the piano plays an intricate fill between vocal lines, that is its moment. Your job is to recognize these moments and gently use your faders to bring them to the forefront.

• Create Space with Panning. The easiest way to hear every voice clearly is to give them their own physical space. If all your instruments are panned to the center, they will inevitably fight. By creating a wide stereo image, you allow each instrument's unique voice to be heard distinctly.

• Listen to the Arrangement. During rehearsal, listen to how the parts are fitting together musically. A good arrangement will have instruments intentionally playing in different registers and rhythms to complement each other. Recognizing this will help you understand where each voice is supposed to live in the mix.

Action Steps for This Week

1. Meditate on Psalm 150. Before your next service, read this short psalm of explosive praise. Ask God to give you ears to hear the unique "voice" of every instrument on your team. Pray for the Holy Spirit to guide your hands and give you the wisdom to feature each part for His glory, so that your mix ultimately serves His will for the service, not just your own.

2. Ask a Musician About Their "Voice." Talk to one of your instrumentalists this week. Ask them, "What is the role of your guitar part in this song? What emotion or idea are you trying to communicate with your playing?" Their answer might surprise you and change the way you mix them.

3. Intentionally Feature One Instrument. During the service this Sunday, find one moment—a beautiful piano intro, a powerful drum fill, a soaring guitar line—and intentionally push that fader up just a little bit. Don't be afraid to let the instruments speak.

A massive thank you to the reader who sent in that email. He challenged all of us to think bigger about our role. We are not just limiters; we are conduits for every breath and every note of praise offered to our King.