When was the last time you attended an event where it was difficult to hear what was being said or sung? The art of covering any space with intelligible sound while considering budget, logistics, and controlling variables like acoustics, is something most are not even aware of – nor should they have to be! This is where an audio system designer can really help you out with your project, be it a whole building, a single room, an auditorium, or even outdoors!
When starting on a new audio project I like to start from the desired experience, both acoustically and visually for the attendees, then consider the user experience of the operator (if required) and then work backwards to placement and equipment to develop the design. Inherently, this helps the final result to be the best it can be for the budget.
Questions I might ask during an initial project meeting:
- Who is your target audience
- What is your content typically like? Who is speaking? What is being played?
- What are the dimensions of the space(s)?
- Do you have an operator, a person (or a team) responsible for the AV systems?
- What’s their skill level? What would you like it to be?
- What infrastructure exists already? Can the AV design modify it?
- What is the budget available to accomplish your goals?
A good system designer can save you a TON of money in equipment and re-work. The old adage, “Do it right, or do it twice,” is unfortunately, still true in 2024. Most problems have multiple solutions and often I’d recommend options in a Good, Better, Best way based around your budget and available infrastructure.