https://www.genki.today/blog daily 0.75 2022-06-25 https://www.genki.today/blog/blog-post-title-one-ns78f monthly 0.5 2021-11-01 https://www.genki.today/blog/3j63m6a9vcypoxbzpb06994tv0d1kx monthly 0.5 2022-06-25 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f74a35305226a5407aaa8cb/1635758002145-BQ9JW8I74UIDNM8X555U/unsplash-image-n4BDkIEls78.jpg Innovation Blog - Audio Tips - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.genki.today/genki-today daily 0.75 2021-11-12 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f74a35305226a5407aaa8cb/1627897840970-F6P8P6M726SURYQ324DX/unsplash-image-w7ZyuGYNpRQ.jpg Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f74a35305226a5407aaa8cb/1627897886468-4LYAMMGIMDQOCFGLZPK2/unsplash-image-wO42Rmamef8.jpg Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f74a35305226a5407aaa8cb/1627897782671-48SODMTUA4S5ZPJY9CMU/unsplash-image-SYTO3xs06fU.jpg Home https://www.genki.today/about daily 0.75 2021-08-02 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f74a35305226a5407aaa8cb/1627899065978-I3NK6E8I8ZC2ERR0USWY/149788024_146523843956809_1695706546815205613_n.jpg About - About Genki Today Genki Today is a 501(c)(3) mission organization. It is currently serving churches based in Tokyo and across Japan. Genki Today was started by Jonathan Oh, a tentmaking missionary who is serving both in the marketplace and in the ministry. Currently serving as a broadcast meteorologist and engineer, Jonathan had the idea to start Genki Today with a desire to enable the church in Japan to use new expressions of technology to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Jonathan is ordained in the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) and is passionate about helping churches reach others for Christ with the Gospel. If you are interested in joining the team, please contact Jonathan using the Contact Us button. https://www.genki.today/resources daily 0.75 2021-11-01 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f74a35305226a5407aaa8cb/1635756612939-2GDSEO9753NU80ISDD52/unsplash-image-MWaWwd7VxDQ.jpg Resources - Getting started Setting up a simple production workflow https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f74a35305226a5407aaa8cb/1635756713116-BK0WPD1T437CTQY61M1E/unsplash-image-EeS69TTPQ18.jpg Resources - Getting online How to get your service on the Internet https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f74a35305226a5407aaa8cb/1635756787121-7W3GA0JITIM45C6GU6AC/unsplash-image-KE0nC8-58MQ.jpg Resources - Getting automated How to do more with less https://www.genki.today/contact daily 0.75 2021-08-03 https://www.genki.today/terms-and-conditions daily 0.75 2021-11-01 https://www.genki.today/privacy-policy daily 0.75 2021-11-01 https://www.genki.today/getting-started daily 0.75 2021-11-03 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f74a35305226a5407aaa8cb/ddf46cea-7dc1-4680-9ba8-164231f7772c/IMG_7498.jpeg Getting Started - Equipment If you do not currently have a production setup for live streaming, the basic components include a video switcher, an audio mixer, a computer, and a video camera. Some of these items you may already have. For example, you might have an audio mixer of some form for live sound. You might already have a computer to project lyrics and Bible verses on screens. However, you might not have a video switcher, and you might not have a video camera. Here are the basics to get you started. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f74a35305226a5407aaa8cb/13920e59-c184-49d3-89fd-27586e3b32e3/IMG_3958.jpeg Getting Started - Video Switcher At the heart of video production is a video switcher. Some churches used free and open source software such as OBS Studio to switch between video sources. A simpler and more powerful option for a church using up to 3 video cameras is the ATEM Mini Pro ($495 USD). Using a video switcher like the ATEM Mini Pro makes production easy, and it avoids excessive wear and tear on your computer that software like OBS Studio can create by overusing computing power and leading to sluggish performance. This switcher provides a total of four HDMI inputs with the functionality of recording video to an external hard drive, streaming directly to the Internet without a computer, and multiview. The video switcher has HDMI output for video projectors, and it connects to a computer by USB as a webcam source that you can use to stream to your favorite platform, such as YouTube, Facebook Live, Vimeo, or even video conferencing programs like Zoom or Google Meet. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f74a35305226a5407aaa8cb/1635837455067-XE3U1SH0LHLF8AUJFQFH/unsplash-image--ebVuVUFc18.jpg Getting Started - Video Camera For a church that does not own a video camera, you can easily use an iPhone or Android smartphone. I recommend the FiLMiC Pro app ($14.99 USD), which provides a clean HDMI output with sound. You also have the ability to zoom in and out. The ATEM Mini easily switches between graphics from a computer and up to three iPhones. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f74a35305226a5407aaa8cb/e8c06e5e-9e64-469e-9d6e-1d602c18ccdb/IMG_6444.jpg Getting Started - Audio Mixer If you already have an audio mixer, you want to purchase a digital audio interface, which takes the audio signal from the mixer and converts it into a digital signal for live streaming, such as the Focusrite Scarlett 2i2, and I highly recommend this interface. Connect the AUX Output on the mixer to the interface via XLR and then connect the interface to the computer via USB. If you do not have an audio mixer, I would recommend purchasing a small digital mixer that connects to the computer via USB. This ensures a clear signal going from the mixer to the computer. The FREEBOSS 6-channel mixer digital audio mixer allows a connection with two XLR microphones along with other inputs for guitars and keyboards. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f74a35305226a5407aaa8cb/06dda504-ed96-4a77-8753-65be94641204/Screen+Shot+2021-11-02+at+16.27.28.jpg Getting Started - Presentation Many churches use presentation software such as Microsoft PowerPoint or ProPresenter. If your church already uses presentation software, you can easily use the video output for graphics. If your church does not yet use presentation software, I recommend Faithlife Proclaim. Team production is one of its strong points, and you can add many members for free to collaborate and produce the presentation. In addition, it has the option to provide song libraries for copyright logging and the ability to send and receive MIDI signals, which is key for automated productions. This subscription software is priced based on the number of church members. With a little bit of preparation, you can use graphics to display names and lyrics in creative ways. You can display call and response elements along with Scripture readings on half-screens where the leader is visible on the left side of the screen and the text is displayed on the right. You can also use a picture-in-picture feature of the ATEM switcher to display the singers in a box on part of the screen with the lyrics. Since Proclaim is template-based, you will not have to reinvent the wheel each time you add slides and service elements. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f74a35305226a5407aaa8cb/b9e72f73-ac63-44e3-a024-35879284f1db/IMG_7515.jpg Getting Started - Putting it all together Once you have all of your equipment together, it’s time to put them all together so that the signals go to the right place. Click the button below for instructions on connecting your equipment together. https://www.genki.today/getting-online daily 0.75 2021-11-02 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f74a35305226a5407aaa8cb/1635759498805-Q2X5W0XLJUCIOVIO6886/unsplash-image-gLdJnQFcIXE.jpg Getting Online - Option 1: Record a service and upload it. You can choose to record your service and then upload the video to the Internet. This is the best option if you do not have Internet service available at your location or if you do not have a reliable high-speed Internet connection. However, you can still make your service just as engaging as a live broadcast. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f74a35305226a5407aaa8cb/1635759523368-GBHHKUF6K6UI4IAOK8OZ/unsplash-image-eTgMFFzroGc.jpg Getting Online - Option 2: Go live using video conferencing. You can choose to go live using a video conferencing software, such as Zoom, Google Meet, WebEx, or FaceTime, just to name a few options. This option is best if you want to go live with your service but want to have the ability to have live video interactions with those who attend the service. It also allows you to have more control on who is involved in your service. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f74a35305226a5407aaa8cb/1635759577776-RNPDWJ48ISF5OREWIHFI/unsplash-image-cPSroMqTRQg.jpg Getting Online - Option 3: Go live using video broadcasting. You can choose to go live with a video broadcasting platform, such as Vimeo, YouTube, or Facebook Live. This is the best option if you want to have a focused service feed, and there is an opportunity for interaction using chat functionality. This form of online gathering is most effective when you also have a team to welcome those who are coming online and also having a strategic plan on following up with visitors. https://www.genki.today/getting-automated daily 0.75 2021-11-02 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f74a35305226a5407aaa8cb/b9e72f73-ac63-44e3-a024-35879284f1db/IMG_7515.jpg Getting Automated - What is automated production control? In the past, productions required an entire staff. You needed people to man every aspect of production. With computing power and networking equipment becoming less expensive and easily accessible, you can set up a semi-automated or fully automated production control system to give your volunteers more power and require fewer of them to work at any given time. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f74a35305226a5407aaa8cb/49b717a2-5eac-40b8-8c94-1ae8984f8055/IMG_8886.jpeg Getting Automated - Semi-automated production control The first step in considering automation is whether you want to spend your time focusing on producing the service production process during the week or not. There are benefits and drawbacks at various levels of automating production. Semi-automation allows your volunteers to control your production process with an iPad or a Stream Deck, giving them more flexible control with multiple devices but without needing to prepare everything in advance. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f74a35305226a5407aaa8cb/2d960469-7a48-4ad6-bce3-1cc214624d1a/IMG_1664.jpeg Getting Automated - Fully automated production control A fully automated production control system means that every element of the production is prepared in advanced, meaning a single operator can simply advance through the presentation software at the right time, and the system triggers all of the necessary commands to prepare cameras, visuals, and even sound commands. When implemented properly, this setup will allow you to do multiple live productions with ease. https://www.genki.today/option-1-record-and-upload daily 0.75 2021-11-04 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f74a35305226a5407aaa8cb/1635843798617-2A00QF841IWZRO3VEK43/unsplash-image-UukHCVBKBS4.jpg Option 1: Record and Upload - How do you record? If you connected your equipment by following the instructions on this website, you will need to make a couple of small changes in order to record your service directly from the ATEM Mini Pro. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f74a35305226a5407aaa8cb/1635843848535-60EF9YQ4SP2QYFTX6UKN/unsplash-image-UmaojK7erQo.jpg Option 1: Record and Upload - How do you upload? Once you finished recording your service and are ready to put it online, you need to upload it to a video platform such as YouTube or Facebook. If you are interested in doing premieres, which allow you to chat and interact with others as the service is being played out, these are excellent platforms. You can also use either one of these platforms with the Church Online platform, which is a free platform to engage and connect with viewers during the service. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f74a35305226a5407aaa8cb/1635843905840-Y0ZHCVNDC6448V137J5C/unsplash-image-OW5KP_Pj85Q.jpg Option 1: Record and Upload - How do you engage? One of the biggest concerns with uploading video services is the question of how to engage those who are viewing the service. In the past, this was not possible. Now, with the premiering feature or the Church Online platform, you can create a friendly, interactive environment that will welcome those attending your service - even when the actual service is recorded. https://www.genki.today/option-2-video-conferencing daily 0.75 2021-11-02 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f74a35305226a5407aaa8cb/1635844997771-DS0WOHF5ZMGORLAU0S6S/unsplash-image-wpOa2i3MUrY.jpg Option 2: Video Conferencing - Things to consider Many churches chose to jump onto services like Zoom or Google Meet to gather online in the midst of a pandemic. The ease of using such a system has its benefits for meeting with people you know. However, it is important to consider what is ahead for your church. Some of those questions include whether you plan to return to any form of in-person gathering and how your current online expression of worship works either in tandem or against the online setup. Planning ahead for your online expression of your church is key. If you would like to consult us regarding your ideas, please contact us. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f74a35305226a5407aaa8cb/1635845448455-S7ZTWAUR00P2SZR4HSPK/unsplash-image-73ctnpVWJio.jpg Option 2: Video Conferencing - Live service via video conference If you have set up all of the live production equipment, then you are ready to feed the video and audio into your video conference. The benefits of using something like the ATEM Mini Pro is that it appears just like a webcam on your computer, and a digital mixer appears just like a microphone or sound source on your computer. Once you choose your video source (such as Blackmagic ATEM Mini Pro) and the audio source (such as the JieLi BR17 for the FREEBOSS audio mixer) on your video conferencing platform, your service will be visible to everyone who is online. Note that on the computer you are using for the video conference, you cannot be on the computer webcam at the same time as the video switcher. One of the biggest struggles for online production is audio. Read some tips on how you can make your sound work well online. https://www.genki.today/option-3-video-broadcasting daily 0.75 2021-11-04 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f74a35305226a5407aaa8cb/1635846254619-X4JRLDLPVU7ZWNSU24Y9/unsplash-image-wpOa2i3MUrY.jpg Option 3: Video Broadcasting - Things to consider As you consider going live online, keep a few things in mind. You need to prayerfully plan and prepare for the service, always starting the signal early before the service and being on time (aside from technical difficulties). You must have a reliable, steady, high-speed Internet connection. The details on those requirements are below. Producing a live online service requires a dedicated volunteer team. Making sure they are trained and prepared to serve is key, and keep in mind that burnout easily happens. A service being broadcast live online is just that - live. Preparing to mitigate issues, mistakes, and errors is important because people watching the service on screens expect a certain level of quality. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f74a35305226a5407aaa8cb/1635846491017-MMD1IMORFYW4XM364W4N/unsplash-image-m1WZS5ye404.jpg Option 3: Video Broadcasting - Going live When you are going live, you need to make a couple of decisions. What video platform will you use to go online? How will people access your live service? These questions, along with the instructions on getting online, are in the presentation below. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f74a35305226a5407aaa8cb/1635974970830-LME1MGHDWLB3LU8POD1G/unsplash-image-OW5KP_Pj85Q.jpg Option 3: Video Broadcasting - Engaging online A church service is not supposed to be one-way. The Christian is not supposed to be a consumer. It is a worship service. How do we then engage and interact with those who are joining online? With powerful tools that we have today, this is possible. https://www.genki.today/semiautomated-production-control daily 0.75 2021-11-12 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f74a35305226a5407aaa8cb/1635847410969-F4U588ZR16ZGD2AN8SVS/unsplash-image-iBG594vhR1k.jpg Semi-Automated Production Control - Modular approach When thinking about automation, it is important to think about putting pieces together in a way that the equipment can communicate with each other. For example, the ATEM Mini Pro allows remote inputs so that the video switcher can do operations from the computer or even an iPad. Bitfocus Companion is a free software that runs on your computer. Using the network that connects your computer to the Internet, you can power up your video switch to do much more. If you have an advanced digital audio mixer, you can even control your sound through the Bitfocus Companion software. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f74a35305226a5407aaa8cb/1635847671290-HWQ5S4ZZODYGSOMRQ65Z/unsplash-image-gcgves5H_Ac.jpg Semi-Automated Production Control - Macros. Macros. Macros. Macros are scripts that tell equipment to do certain things in order at a certain time. For example, I can create a macro for the ATEM Mini Pro to wait two seconds and then switch to a particular source. I can even make the macros put on special graphics for names. Macros are much more complex, but if you are willing to try learning more about how to write and script them, here are some good tips and resources you can use to get started. You can even download free macros that I have created for use in my automated productions. https://www.genki.today/fully-automated-production-control daily 0.75 2021-11-12 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f74a35305226a5407aaa8cb/1635848225547-MPE94REIJMZNTLDUH8LC/unsplash-image-BjD3KhnTIkg.jpg Fully Automated Production Control - What it is not A fully automated production control system does not completely eliminate the need for volunteers (unless you plan on perfectly timing your sermon and songs). What this system does is allow more of the production to be programmed ahead of time so that your team can focus on moving through the elements of the service and not trying to make sure they can execute a certain element of the production. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f74a35305226a5407aaa8cb/1635848477965-XEUW0W9S9AFBAPTUK6DW/unsplash-image-uD4rZS-BCvk.jpg Fully Automated Production Control - MIDI-based control The core of the automated production control system (APCS) is MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface), a standard that was introduced back in 1981. That standard has allowed musicians to really change the way they perform and produce music. Harnessing this, combined with a MIDI/OSC interpreter, you can set up all of your commands within your presentation software, and when you arrive at the proper trigger, the signal is sent to the various pieces of equipment, and the production work is handled. Jonathan Oh designed the APCS 3.11 for Tokyo Union Church back in 2020. Here is a video of him explaining the concept of APCS and why it works well for TUC. https://www.genki.today/putting-it-all-together daily 0.75 2021-11-12 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f74a35305226a5407aaa8cb/1635842559485-HBRZITNRGIS6XQPX3SQY/unsplash-image-oRk4Ep65tRc.jpg Putting it all together - Option 1: Video Instructions If it’s easier for you to put together your equipment while following a video, here’s a tutorial to help you through the process. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f74a35305226a5407aaa8cb/a920bca7-2221-4442-b5f9-d71f45bcb79e/Genki+Today+Production+Setup+%281%29.png Putting it all together - Option 2: Picture Diagrams If it is easier for you to see a drawing of how all of the pieces fit together, we put together a simple Google Presentation that you can look at while you are connecting the equipment together.