For the sound booth and interpreters
Recommended gear
You don't need much. Most churches already have the soundboard and a laptop; the rest is a small audio interface, a couple of cables and headsets for the interpreters.
Prices are approximate, in US dollars, and change often. Links open a store search, so compare a few options.
Sound booth
One laptop takes a clean feed from the soundboard and sends it to Voz-Translate.
2-channel USB audio interface
Why: It brings the soundboard's signal into the laptop cleanly. A laptop's built-in microphone would pick up the room, not the board.
- GoodBehringer UMC22 class
- BetterFocusrite Scarlett Solo class
Either works. The better one is sturdier and easier to set levels on.
Cable from the board's aux or matrix send
Why: Use a send you can turn up or down on its own, not the main mix, so the stream's level doesn't change when the room's does.
- Good1/4" TRS to 1/4" TRS cable
- BetterXLR cable (if the send and interface have XLR)
Check which connector your board's send uses before you buy, and get one long enough to reach the laptop.
A basic laptop
Why: It runs the sound-booth page in Chrome during the service. Any recent laptop that runs current Chrome works; many churches use one they already have.
- GoodThe laptop you already have, or a refurbished one
- BetterA second laptop as a backup
Keep it on power, and turn off sleep and screen lock during the service.
Ethernet cable or USB ethernet adapter
Why: Church Wi-Fi works, but a network cable is steadier when the building fills with phones.
- GoodEthernet cable
- BetterUSB ethernet adapter (for laptops without a network port)
Interpreters
Interpreters hear the sanctuary in their ears and speak into a microphone, from the booth or from home.
Headset with a microphone
Why: Closed-back headphones keep the sanctuary audio in the interpreter's ears from leaking into their microphone. A mic close to the mouth keeps the room noise down.
- GoodUSB headset with a boom mic
- BetterDynamic USB mic (Samson Q2U class) plus closed-back headphones
For the better option, add closed-back headphones if the interpreter doesn't have a pair.
Closed-back headphones
Why: Only needed with a separate microphone. Closed-back models leak less sound than open ones.
A quiet spot or a small booth
Why: Interpreters talk the whole service. A side room, a corner away from the speakers or a small booth keeps their voice from bothering people nearby and keeps the sanctuary out of their mic.
- GoodA side room or a corner away from the speakers$0
- BetterA portable vocal booth or a few acoustic panels
Listeners
People listen on their own phone with their own earbuds. A few spares help visitors and older members.
Their own phone and earbuds
Why: Voz-Translate runs in the phone's browser. There's nothing to install and nothing for the church to buy.
$0A box of cheap wired earbuds
Why: Someone always forgets theirs. Keep a box at the welcome table and give them away.
$10–$30 for a bulk packSearch Amazon: A box of cheap wired earbuds (opens in a new tab)Many newer phones have no headphone jack, so add a few USB-C and Lightning adapters.
USB-C and Lightning headphone adapters
Why: So wired earbuds work on phones without a headphone jack.
A few loaner phones and chargers
Why: For people without a smartphone, or whose battery is dead. A budget phone with a browser is enough.
- GoodChargers and cables at the welcome table
- BetterTwo or three budget or refurbished phones
Optional
Nice to have once the basics work.
Phone charging station
Why: A multi-port charger at the welcome table keeps loaner phones and visitors' phones going through a long service.
Tablet or phone stand for the Control Room
Why: Keeps the Control Room in view at the sound booth, so whoever runs it sees listeners and alerts at a glance.