Hello all,
I finally got my
foot in the door to be able to choose, set-up, adn run the sound in our new sports
arena at the school I work for. I wouldn't say I have an open end budget, but I have quite a
bit to work with.
Getting to the
point. Are there any new gadgets or equipment anyone has heard about or used!?!? I really want to get my hands on some new equipment and use it.
Main sound, but Im open for video too.
Thanks a bunch, i want to have as much fun with this as I can!
It may just be how it is presented, but I'd suggest that you might want to start by stepping back and making the focus more on efficiently and effectively using the funds available to provide what is needed and expected rather than presenting the goal as primarily being your getting your hands on "new gadgets and equipment". Having fun with it is great but that should not take precedence over providing the necessary the
system functionality and performance, the effective use of the funds available, the application of good design practice and most especially,
safety.
So let's start by defining what it is you're really doing and the
current situation. Is this a new
system? New facility? If it is new, where is it in the design and construction process? Has any thought been given to sound or video during the facility design? Have any expectations or budget for the systems been defined? How would the systems be used? What
level of performance is expected? Are you installing this, is it design/
build or is it design/bid/
build with a design package going out to multiple bidders? If you can't already answer these types of questions, then you need to find out the answers before even starting to consider equipment.
Let us know a little about you. What is your experience with
system design and installation? Do you understand the concepts behind designing for coverage, intelligibility,
etc.? What is your knowledge of commercial sound equipment and practices? Do you know how to determine what
power,
conduit and other infrastructure is required and how to get this information to the right people? If you plan on installing this yourself then do you have the appropriate qualifications, experience and, if required, licensing? If going out to bid, do you have experience in producing Bid Documents?
Can you describe the
arena in more detail? Is it more like a high school football field with seating on each side, a college football stadium with seating all around, a tennis stadium, a baseball field or what? Is it possibly multipurpose or reconfigurable where there may need to be more than one configuration supported? What kind of sports events will be held there? Will the
system have to support special events or 'half time show' type events as well? Are there any concerns about the sound from the facility to surrounding area?
