PADS
GETTING STARTED USING PADS | Mike Graff
Thinking about introducing ambient pads to keys, and transferring only those files to your Once you’ve connected everything up, 99%
your worship team’s sound but don’t know phone or tablet (using whatever normal method of your work is done! All you’ll need to do is
where to begin? Read on for all the ins and you use to transfer audio files to your device). turn the volume up until you can hear the pads,
outs of getting started with pads, and you’ll be
then notch it back down to the point where
using them to transform your worship service’s NEXT UP: time to play those pad files. There are you can still hear them but their volume level
atmosphere in no time. unlimited options to choose from when looking is underneath the rest of your team. Turn them
for software/apps that can play pads. Why is up enough so they fill the ambient atmosphere
All you’ll need are three things: the pads that? Because ambient pads are simply audio nicely, but turn them down enough so they
themselves (audio files), some device to play files, meaning they can be played in any app don’t get in the way of your other instruments.
the pads on (phone, tablet, or computer), and that allows you to play an audio file. There’s a something to connect your pad-playing device good chance you have one (or several) piece(s) One of the things Coresound prides ourselves
to your mixing console. of software that could play pads already on on is making sure we mix and master the pads
your device. perfectly so you don’t have to do a bunch of
FIRST THINGS FIRST: the pad audio files
stuff on your mixing console to get the pads to
themselves. If you haven’t purchased a bundle One thing you’ll want to search for specifically sound great. You should make sure the pads
of pads from Coresound or a third-party pads is a music-player app that can allow you to have enough of the bass/low end rolled off so it
creator before, it’s good to know what you fade between pads with ease, so you don’t doesn’t get in the way of your lead instruments.
actually receive once you make that purchase. create any abrupt transitions when going from You will typically download a folder of audio files one pad to the next. We’ve created the Pads Also, make sure to try different pad sounds
(or a ZIP file that will “unz ip”, turning into the Live app (available on iOS - Android coming behind your team for the same song.
aforementioned folder) that has twelve files in it soon) to support global crossfading, meaning Sometimes a warmer, subtler pad works really
- one for each of the 12 keys your songs are in. you can’t ever go to a new pad sound without well, but sometimes a brighter, more distinct
The audio files are typically MP3 or WAV files, some type of fade, saving you the headache of pad brings out the energy that’s needed for
and are anywhere between 5 and 20 minutes choppy transitions! certain songs. But make sure you take time
in length.
to try different sounds and find the best fit, the
LASTLY, you need to find a way to connect the same way you try to find the best sounds with
You will want to transfer these audio files into pads-playing device to your mixing console. your effects pedals, the best-sounding strings
a central location where you keep your music This can be done lots of ways and is rather for your guitar, etc. - experiment and make it
library (I suggest iTunes or something similar). easy (and cost-effective). All you need is an your own!
Most pads come with “metadata” so that when 1/8” to 1/4” cable! Seriously! If you can reach you import them into a music-library app, it will the mixing console with your 1/8” to 1/4” cable, It truly is amazing how much of an impact on
organize the files appropriately. plug the 1/8” end into your device’s headphone your worship team’s sound pads can have in
port and plug the 1/4” end into your mixing an instant - you can literally change your entire
When you want to create an actual setlist for console. If you aren’t close to the console, worship team’s sound by this coming Sunday
a worship service, however, having all of your simply plug the 1/4” end of the cable into a with pads, and it takes very little effort. By taking
pads in all 12 keys on whatever device you’re direct box, which is what you’re already using the steps in this article to get started using
using for playback (phone, tablet, etc.) isn’t to plug your acoustic guitar or keyboard in to pads, you are one step closer to transforming
usually necessary. In fact, it may be necessary your mixing console. (Make sure you have an your worship service’s atmosphere.
to keep most of the pads OFF of your playback extra direct box dedicated for running pads, as device if the device has a limited amount of well as an extra microphone cable to connect storage space! I always recommend making a the direct box to the mixing console.)
playlist with the pads you’ll need in the correct
90
August 2018
Mike Graff
Chief
Creative
of
internationally-acclaimed
Coresound Pads. Worship leader since 2000
CoreSoundPads.com
WorshipMusician.com