| -- End Ad Box ---> | | | | dance music, whereas compact 10 enclosures may |
| Like buying any piece of technical audio or lighting | | | | be ideal for acoustic music, and simple horns are often |
| equipment, selecting a PA system can seem like a | | | | a great option for basic speech reinforcement. |
| daunting task. | | | | Music sounds better with more speakers. Most PA |
| More than anything, the sheer variety of reasons for | | | | systems for music include individually tuned single |
| which someone may call on a PA system — | | | | speakers suited to different parts of the audio |
| from school halls to concert venues, and everything | | | | spectrum. |
| in-between — often means that people | | | | Music is better in stereo. While a mono system |
| don’t know what is best suited to their needs. | | | | may be okay for speech, music sounds better in |
| The best place to start is to think about a PA system | | | | stereo. |
| as three simple parts: | | | | 3. Think portable |
| A pickup device (e.g. a microphone) that converts | | | | If you plan to use your system across several |
| sound waves into an electronic signal | | | | different venues then portability is an important feature. |
| An amplifier to boost that electronic signal to a | | | | Handles, wheels and cases become increasingly |
| level at which it can power a speaker | | | | important design elements of more powerful and often |
| Speakers which will convert the electronic signal | | | | heavier PA systems. |
| back into sound waves. | | | | Also, if you need a portable system that you want to |
| PA systems are best created by defining their primary | | | | move several times throughout a day, or use outside, |
| use and carefully selecting and matching these three | | | | then consider a battery-powered option. As always |
| parts to meet these requirements. Components are | | | | with battery powered electronics consider how long |
| often paired into convenient packages, but because | | | | you will need the system to run continuously and |
| PA systems are required for such a variety of | | | | whether its battery capacity meets your needs. |
| reasons it is often better to know a bit about your | | | | If a portable PA system is required it often means the |
| requirements before picking a system. | | | | presenter will need to be mobile as well. In this case |
| Some retailers offer design consultation services to | | | | the system may need to support a wireless |
| help you make your selection. | | | | microphone or headset, something which should be |
| Here Chris Tinning, Operations Director of pro audio | | | | considered when selecting your PA. |
| and lighting retailer offers his top five tips on picking a | | | | 4. Expanding your system |
| system: | | | | If your PA system is going to be used in the same |
| 1. You need more power for a larger audience or | | | | way on an on-going basis then it is unlikely you will |
| venue | | | | ever have to consider expanding or changing its |
| Power is one of the most important considerations | | | | components. If however you think your needs may |
| when picking a PA system. The power of your | | | | evolve with time then you may want to consider |
| system should increase in proportion to the size of | | | | buying a package that can be altered or grown. |
| your venue and audience. | | | | Buying a system now that can be altered in the future |
| The power of a PA system can be measured by the | | | | will save you money buying a second or third PA |
| total watts produced by the amplifier and speakers. | | | | system if your selection doesn’t meet all your |
| If you are using the system for an outdoor event it | | | | needs. |
| should be much louder than an equivalent PA for an | | | | This is also an important consideration for those |
| indoor event. This is because there are fewer sound | | | | organisations or individuals who may need a scalable |
| reflections outdoors and therefore the volume will | | | | PA system, such as places of worship and schools. |
| seem to decrease for listeners. A similar effect will | | | | PA systems can be expanded in a variety of ways. |
| occur in any venue that has a tall ceiling. | | | | These include adding microphones, companion |
| Generally speaking, buy a PA that is slightly more | | | | speakers, speaker stands, and additional cables. |
| powerful than required. It will sound better and be more | | | | However, to make this possible the system will need |
| efficient than a smaller system that is working harder | | | | multiple input and output jacks. |
| to produce the same volume. | | | | Most systems will include essentials such as speaker |
| 2. Music or speech? | | | | stands and cables, but if you are planning on utilising |
| If you want to play music through your PA system it | | | | additional speakers or inputs (such as a CD/MP3 |
| requires a different set of attributes to one which is | | | | player or computer) remember to have the relevant |
| simply used for speech. | | | | accessories available. |
| Music requires more power. Music contains a | | | | 5. Price |
| wider frequency spectrum than speech and so the | | | | Last, but by no means least is price. |
| power, or wattage of your system, may need to more | | | | As you would expect, the more money you have |
| than double. | | | | available the more features and power you can buy. |
| Music requires a system that covers a wider | | | | Improved sound quality and lighter, better engineered |
| range of audio frequencies than speech. Make sure | | | | equipment is also one of the benefits of a bigger |
| the system you pick is able to reproduce sound in the | | | | budget. |
| high, low and middle ranges of the sound spectrum. | | | | That said you don’t have to spend a fortune to |
| Different music requires different sizes of speaker. | | | | get the right system; it is incredible what you can now |
| As a general rule: the bigger the speaker, the wider the | | | | buy for the price. |
| range of frequencies it will competently reproduce. So | | | | Overall the most important thing to consider is what |
| large bass bins such as 18 subs are good for | | | | features you will need. |