Having a teachable spirit

  ‘Diya .O. Otedola-Olusanya

 There's so much I could say on this subject, but with all my heart I encourage you to embrace knowledge. I'm not professing to know it all, not at all and some events I have experienced I will share with you.

Pastor Wale (PW) and I were together surfing the net for digital mixers when I suggested a manufacturer. He then said to me that he had discussed that particular product with the ministry's (group or band) producer Dehumo and he (Dehumo) did not like the item because it did not meet the requirement for what it was to be used for (live sound recording). So, I said to PW, "Well, whatever the authority says." After all, we have no choice but to take his advice.

Now, this is one subject many of us find challenging. The subject of submission! I read audio engineering because I had the interest and was interested in learning and knowing more about sound (audio) and also, how sound works in different fields (live, media, film, broadcast etc). On many occasions I have had PW ring, text or mail me all the way from Lagos for consultation. However, sometimes I know what he wants or I have a slight idea on how to do what he wants etc but I've had to ask myself, "Why me? He can contact Dehumo in Singapore easily or Dr. Tosin Odumosu or Theophilus Emmanuel and many other authorities, ha! Ha! ha!!! And I have come to realise that it's all about seeking knowledge and learning and taking the right and best decision or advice from a whole lot of options. Aint that wisdom? For the Bible says:

"How long, ye simple ones will ye love simplicity? And the scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge?" Proverbs 1 verse 22

I have found myself in the midst of individuals who prove to know but show not to know and show not to want to know. I learn from these people. Actually, what I learn from them is not to be like them. Ever!

A month ago an FX (effect) processor was blown (damaged) by the technical team (just to mention one item). The individuals in this mentioned technical team were warned against such misuse but my words fell to deaf ears. An international law should be created to protect and guard against electronic equipment abuse. However, the team is requesting for funds to purchase more sophisticated gear (equipment). How Ironic! To whom much is giving, much is expected. So who's gonna fix the damaged FX (effect) processor, stage monitor, microphones and microphone cables? Me? No problem, I'll do the job but then, I'll be smiling on my way to the BANK!!!

It is written in the Bible:

"My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge ……" Hosea 4 verse 6

The equipment was destroyed because the individual(s) operating it did not have any training or knowledge on how to use it.

I was consulted by a friend who's Christian Charity Organisation was to organise a one week event. Present at the event would be Ministers from different parts of the World and so, they needed to make a big impression on their invited guests. I fixed an appointment to take a look at what equipment they already had and to offer my services. The day came and I arrived at the venue feeling very sorry when I saw the state their auditorium was in. My first question was, "Are you going to change the rug?" the reply was "We're not sure and are still thinking about it." Then I discovered that the loud speaker to my right had a stand while the speaker to my left was left on the floor. 'What a creative way to set up speakers'. In my mind I concluded that they had no sound guy until, "BOOOM" I was introduced to a man (in his late 30's) who was in charge of the sound. We were left alone in the hall and I made an evaluation of the sound gear they had. "Who on earth plugs the input of the floor monitor into mic/line ports?" I could perceive chaos and had to reconnect the cables. As I continued to work, I discovered that the man with me had no knowledge of sound and that also, he wasn't the person in charge of sound. I gave them a list of the items I would need and also included in the list was lunch or dinner depending on what time I arrived. Another appointment to reset the whole sound system was fixed and I departed.

When I returned, I finally met the leader of the technical department (a man in his 40's). I could tell he knew a few technical stuff and that he also felt threatened but he tried to prove to me that he knew it all. So, I passed him a cable and told him to show me how to make a cable tie. His score was 0%. Still he tried to prove more points and I can't place a part in the Bible where Jesus tried to prove a point. Jesus simply took instruction from God - simple. However, I was disappointed with his behaviour and lest I forget, the man I had met previously was also present and willing to learn a lot which, I taught him. After a while though, he crashed (dozed off) on stage and I had no choice but to let him be peacefully. I still had the man in his 40's arguing technically with me. To cut the long story short. He later crashed too and I was left along from 11pm till I finished the setup at 3am. Have you ever seen a one man sound check? How stressful as I had to do the whole sound check alone. I mean, I had to give the drums some level on the mixer, play the drum, run to the mixer, equalize the bass (kick) drum, move on to the snare, do the same, then to the hi hat and on to the vocal microphones etc. I hope the Guinness book of Records will note this. I left a note on the mixer that read:

"PLEASE LEAVE THE SETTINGS, POTS, FADERS, CABLES, ETC IN THEIR POSITIONS. ANY ALTERATION WILL LEAD TO CHAOS AND I TELL YOU, HELL HATH NO FURY IF A POT IS TURNED OR A FADER MOVED." from the engineer

The night the programme kicked off, I was on my way outside London to do live sound when I got a call (positive) from my friend telling me the sound was good. On the last day of the programme I received another positive call about the sound. To God be the glory.

Cheers.

Diya, once a member of Fountain of Praise is now a SAE, London graduate of Audio Engineering and Media Arts. He's back in school studying Digital Film and finds time to consult on a part time basis for churches with respect to resolving their sound reinforcement challenges. You can reach him at diyakoya@hotmail.com