To pick the right sound system for your event is a puzzling task so “choose wisely”.

Pick the right sound system for your event and you will scream success from the rooftops! Do you ponder “What sound system do I need?” There are many moving pieces in selecting, reserving, and using a rented sound system for an event. If scheduling for events wasn’t complicated enough, sound can make it even worse! So use this guide as a simple overview of the key sound components in the sound system and how they are used. Hopefully this will help you understand what sound system you may need for your event or concert.

 

Main Speakers aka F.O.H (Front of House): 

Once you have a venue selected, it is then time to think about the sound coverage you need. If that venue is an outdoor festival or large ceremony, if you pick the right sound system, it will cover all of the audience area. If it is a smaller venue or a street fair solo performance, a simple two speaker set up can work just fine. At a mid to large size event, a ground stack system consisting of multiple loudspeaker elements and subwoofers can be used. If an arena is the chosen venue, or proper venue for the artist, a specific type of sound system called a line array should be used. Line array’s uses many loudspeakers “flown”(hung) in a vertical line. Each speaker has a long “throw” capable of reaching the back of an arena or large amphitheater.

Subwoofers for Mains/F.O.H: 

If your event has any music with bass I recommend subwoofers.  Subwoofers help you FEEL the music the way that it was intended. Almost every musical style benefits from their use. A band has the bass guitar and kick drum,those are bass instruments and therefore they are reproduced much better by a bass speaker. Club DJ’s will typically have a collection full of bass heavy songs so subs are a must. Loudspeakers have woofers in them that can provide ok bass, but a subwoofer is designed and tuned for effective bass and use much larger woofers to achieve even lower tones of bass, tones you can only feel. If you pick the right sound system, you will have impact to your event!

Stage Monitors for the band/performers: 

At an event bands will have many different needs, but one is always the same,  stage monitors.  Musicians need stage monitors to hear themselves, for timing, harmonies and cues. So when the main speakers are in front of the performer it makes it very difficult. A performer will hear the reflected sound and ambiance more than they can hear their own voice, this ruins the timing of their performance. That is why stage monitors are so important. A musician can turn up a specific instrument to balance what they hear to their specific needs in a speaker that is right in front of them. In some cases, musicians will use in-ear monitors for the perfect ease of turning up an instrument in their “headphones”. This is a preference that is on the rise because of the awesome quality.

The Mixing Console-the heart of the sound system: 

A sound system wouldn’t be necessary if there weren’t things to plug into the mixing console. The mixing console (or mixer) is where microphones and various instruments are plugged in, processed with effects like Reverb and Equalization and then sent out of the mixer to the speakers that are used in the venue. There are many sizes of mixers. Some large format mixers can have more than 100 mics, instruments and other audio sources plugged in at once, while other mixers may be designed to handle only a few inputs for a small event.

Mixer size

The size of mixer may be determined by the artist or band that may be playing your event. If a band needs 18 instruments and mics plugged in at once you will need a mixer that can handle that many inputs. Other inputs you’ll need at an event may consist of an emcee mic, keynote speaker mic, background music and more. These inputs are referred to as “channels”. If you calculate 18 inputs for the band, a mic for the emcee and background music in stereo you will need a mixer capable of 21 channels.

Amplifiers:

An amplifier is needed to increase the volume of a signal to usable level for use with a loudspeaker . Some power amplifiers are are built into the loudspeaker, hence the name powered speakers. Others are a separate piece of equipment that takes an audio signal from a mixer and/or audio crossover in and sends a powered signal out to a passive speaker.

Microphones

Every event needs Microphones. Simple speaking events may only need one wired handheld mic. Others for use with bands may need many microphones. A good sound system will come with a wide range of dynamic and condenser mics for a band. Sometimes it may have wireless mics as well, but that is certainly not the norm (should be though!) If wireless mics are a must, always request those specifically with the sound company you hire. Always check the sound requirements of the performers or presenters.

Direct Boxes

Many people ask me ” what is a direct box?”. A short answer would be; to plug-in your acoustic guitar, bass or keyboards directly into a mixer. With or without the use of an amp. Direct boxes come equipped with ground lift switches to keep audio noise free and that makes them one of your best friends!

Power requirements

If a larger sound system is needed then more power will be needed as a result. Some sound systems can run off of a single outlet in a room, These are the solo performance or small band set ups. Some require power distribution system to get what they need. Power “distro’s” take in large amounts of power and divide the power into outlets for use with electronic equipment. A line array system for a large venue may require a much larger amount of power. Sometimes the building itself doesn’t have that kind of power available. In that case a generator may be necessary to make it work. Ask the sound company what kind of power requirements they have for the system you have selected and coordinate that with them.

Advancing:

If you are a concert promoter and have a major artist performing they will have sound requirements that must be met. Calling or emailing in advance to confirm these requirements is essential. An artists tour staff may pick the right sound system for you based on their requirements. Those are almost always listed in the “rider”. The rider is a document that explains the bands needs, very specific instructions or a warning regarding the band’s performance and safety. The rider may also contain the “input list”. An input list is a list of the instruments that will be plugged into the mixer, microphone preferences and more. Always read the rider and input list very carefully and confirm any substitutions or issues that may take place.

Plan & communicate: 

Planning and communication are key when putting on an event. Event planners should contact the sound company as soon as possible to reserve the system you need. Sometimes a deposit will be necessary to pick the right sound system. Ask the right questions like: what payment do you accept? How much set up time is needed?  Sometimes if you are a new client, payment in full up front in cash may be necessary to book a sound system. Contracts are also a common thing in sound system rentals. There maybe specific requirements that the sound company itself requests. Things like: stage hands(helpers or muscle) to help load the gear in and out of the venue. If those needs are not met per the contract, there could be complications.

In conclusion

Event planning can be a lot of work, but if you pick the right sound system it can be rewarding and fun experience! Have fun planning your event!