Robert Lind’s article in MPIGNY Metrolines

Robert Lind wrote an article that was recently published in MPIGNY Metrolines Magazine regarding sound quality and venue location. This article originated on his blog and gives some good advice on what things to take into consideration as you work with a sound vendor for your next event. These often overlooked steps can make a huge impact on the success of your next event and ensure that your audience hears what the speakers have to say. Congratulations & thanks goes out to Robert for writing the article and having it featured in Metrolines!

The Greek Shall Inherit the Earth
By Robert Lind, SmartSource Computer & Audio Visual Rentals

There is a very funny scene in Monty Python’s “Life of Brian” where Jesus is giving the Sermon on the Mount, and the characters in the back have trouble hearing him. Instead of “the meek shall inherit the earth,” they think he says the “Greek,” and proceed to get into an argument as to “who is this Greek?” and “why does he deserve to inherit the earth?” As a meeting planner, how many events have you been to where you couldn’t hear the speakers? Meetings are about transmitting a message to the audience. If your audience can’t hear the message, what good are great speakers?

Rather than going into a technical explanation of what makes good sound
and how to get it, I’d like to give you a few ideas to take along with you
when you talk to your sound vendor. With these, you might be able to
improve the sound at your next meeting or event.

Sound systems are designed with three factors in mind:

-The size of the audience–People absorb sound. The more people
in a confined space, the louder the sound system will need to be
to compete with not only the absorption from the audience, but
also the general crowd noise.

-The physical space –Acoustically speaking, there is a large
difference between providing sound in an all-glass atrium and in an
outdoor amphitheater. Although those are extremes, knowing the
size of the room, including the ceiling height, is a good start. It
would also be helpful to know about wall and floor coverings.

-The ambient sound levels–Once again, I would supply two very
different sound systems to a meeting in an office vs. a meeting on
an airport runway. What is the background noise level with which
the sound system will need to compete?

The best idea, of course, is a site inspection. Taking the extra time to walk the venue with your audio vendor will benefit you immensely. At the very least, you should take the time to speak with your audio vendor, making sure all these important sound factors are understood.

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