The Simplest Ways (Perfect for Testing)

These methods are a great way to try Breeze Translate without any extra equipment.

Phone/Tablet on Lectern

If you have a single microphone on a stage or lectern, just place a phone or tablet on that lectern and run Breeze Translate from it. It will pick up the voice well enough for a good, clean transcription.

Tie-Clip Mic

A touring preacher can use a tie-clip mic attached to their phone. Keep the phone in your pocket, run Breeze Translate from there, and you're all set without needing an external system.

Bluetooth Headset

Some people use a Bluetooth headset to run the translation just for the sermon, which is another easy way to trial the system.

Advanced Setup: Connecting to Your PA System

The main goal here is to get an audio signal from your main PA mixing desk into a computer that is running Breeze Translate. How you do this depends on your equipment.

Digital Mixing Desk

If you have a digital desk, you can likely connect it directly to your computer (e.g., via USB). The computer will see the desk as an audio interface, allowing you to select its outputs.

External Audio Interface (Recommended)

This is a simple and reliable method that works for both analog and digital desks. You can buy a simple, single-input audio interface for around £28 - £75. Examples include the Behringer UM2 (approx. £28) or the Focusrite Scarlett Solo (approx. £75). You take an audio feed from your desk (like an AUX or Control Room output) and plug it into this box, which then plugs into your computer via USB.

Computer's Built-in Mic Input

Many computers have a 3.5mm microphone or line-in port. You can run a cable from your mixing desk directly into this port. You will likely need a special cable, such as a 6.35mm (quarter-inch) Jack to a 3.5mm mini-jack.

✅❌ Tips for the Clearest Translation

Audio Dos (Best Practices)

  • ✅ Use the Main Mix to start: For getting started, using the "front of house" or "main mix" from your desk will work absolutely fine most of the time.
  • ✅ Use an AUX send (Advanced): The ideal setup is to use a separate output from your desk (like an "AUX" send). This allows you to create a custom mix just for the translation. You can send only the spoken word (the talking) and remove things like background piano, singers, or the full band. This results in a much cleaner signal for the transcription.

Audio Don'ts (What to Avoid)

  • ❌ Avoid placing a phone in front of a speaker: This doesn't work well due to distortion and amplification.
  • ❌ Avoid using a mic at the back of the church: This will pick up a "very Reverby signal".
  • ❌ Avoid general ambient mics: These pick up too much room noise and chatter.

Why use an AUX? This allows you to create a custom mix just for the translation. You can send only the spoken word (the talking) and remove things like background piano, singers, or the full band. This results in a much cleaner signal for the transcription.

Ready to Get Started?

Now that you know how to set up your audio, why not try Breeze Translate for yourself?