Doing It Yourself Will Cost You More: Robert Mayer

Doing it Yourself Will Cost You More—Here’s Why

By TechArts

When budgets are tight and teams are motivated, DIY can feel like a good choice, specifically when staff and volunteers are willing to step in and make things happen.

But, as many churches come to discover, doing it DIY comes with many hidden costs.

We sat down with Robert Mayer, Director of Worship at South Shores Church, to talk about his journey through DIY builds, technical upgrades, and the moments that made it clear when it was time to bring in experienced guidance.

A Background Developed from A Love of Music and Technology

Robert’s path into worship and production started early in life.

“I grew up studying at Berklee College of Music, where I got into the technical side of music through MIDI and recording.”

His interest led to work with Maranatha Music, where he was involved in production and album creation, and later to Microsound, a company focused on MIDI-based worship resources for churches throughout the Midwest.

“I helped put together collections like Traditional Hymns and The Celebrational Hymnal, which included hundreds of hymns with definitive melody lines.”

At the same time, Robert was leading worship at Saddleback Church in the college ministry. Eventually, South Shores Church reached out.

“They asked if I’d be interested in joining their team. I checked it out, liked what I saw, and over time we began shifting the direction of the church creatively and technically. People started coming, momentum built, and it became a real blessing.”

Like many churches, South Shores found that creative and technical roles often overlap.

“In churches, you often end up wearing both the music and technical hats. That can be a good thing—but it can also be dangerous if you get in over your head, especially when it comes to sound and lighting.”

Why DIY Became the Default

“When we were designing a studio, the architectural drawings came back with a $150,000 price tag just to lower the floor by two inches.”

Faced with that reality, the team decided to take the project on themselves.

“We did it under budget, built the studio, and it turned out really well—but there were definitely hiccups along the way, like with any DIY project.”

Those experiences built confidence—and a willingness to tackle more ambitious projects in-house.

Knowing When to Bring in Experts

Over time, Robert and the team recognized their limits.

“We eventually realized that if you’re the smartest person in the room, you’re in the wrong room. We had done enough projects ourselves to know we needed experts.”

As he evaluated vendors and manufacturers, the difference in approach became clear.

“When we connected with Tech Arts, the difference was immediate. You provided detailed layouts, answered questions, took calls, and followed through. Other vendors would talk for ten minutes and disappear.”

The investment required explanation to leadership.

“You weren’t cheap—but it was the right decision.”

For Robert, the reason came down to communication.

“The reality was that intelligibility is everything. If you’re communicating life-changing messages, clarity is critical—especially for people with hearing aids or in challenging acoustic spaces.”

With the sanctuary in constant use, reliability mattered.

“We also use our sanctuary constantly—four or five days a week. Investing in a system that works every day made sense.”

Why Stereo Mattered

Many proposed system designs for the room were mono or overly complicated.

“Other companies wanted to install massive multi-zone systems with speakers everywhere. But what volunteer can realistically mix that?”

TechArts approached the room differently.

“Tech Arts was the only team willing to tackle a true stereo solution. No one else wanted to try.”

That decision had an immediate impact.

“When you suggested stereo, we jumped on it—and it completely changed the experience.”

Despite challenges with sightlines and layout, the end result spoke for itself.

“Even with difficult sightlines and compromises, you worked through it and delivered something incredible. The room sounds amazing from every seat.”

Stereo consistency mattered throughout the space.

“Even the back row sounds fantastic. The subs are time-aligned perfectly, and the stereo image is consistent throughout the room.”

Learning the Hard Way with DIY Lighting

Lighting was a different kind of challenge.

“We had no idea what we were doing at first. We thought we did—but we didn’t.”

Early choices created problems.

“We had subpar fixtures, unreliable gear, and outdated assumptions about vendors.”

Support from TechArts helped correct course.

“You introduced us to better consoles, software, and manufacturers. Over time, we realized that listening to our integrator mattered.”

Although the team handled much of the physical install themselves, expert support remained essential.

“Yes, it took a lot of time, but it helped. And when you came in at the end, you helped us finish the networking, addressing, and setup properly. That made a big difference.”

Building a Studio That Actually Works

The new studio at South Shores is now a critical part of the church’s workflow.

“Every church should have a quiet, controlled space for recording without sirens, jets, or background noise.”

TechArts helped support key design choices.

“The room is compact—24 by 18 feet—but extremely effective.”

Sound isolation was a major focus.

“We built serious sound isolation so we can rehearse with a full band during the day without disturbing adjacent offices.”

The Personal Cost of DIY

For Robert, the hardest lessons weren’t technical. “DIY done right means long nights and real sacrifice.”

During major builds, the pace was intense.

“During major builds, we were pulling 15-hour days. It took a toll on my marriage and family.”

Eventually, the tradeoff became clear.

“You reach a point where bringing in integrators is the healthier choice. A team with a process will always outperform two exhausted people trying to do everything themselves.”

Before choosing DIY, Robert believes churches need to count the full cost.

“Before going DIY, churches need to ask: How much time will this take? Can our team handle it? What happens if things go wrong? Is it worth losing use of the space for weeks?”

The reality, he says, is unavoidable.

“If you DIY, you have to be ready to pay the consequences when things go south—because they often do.”

If this conversation was helpful, feel free to check out our other blogs!