Which Loudspeaker Should You Use With Your Amplifier?

Close-up of power amplifier inside rehearsal roomMatch Amps to Speakers Without Driving Yourself Crazy Matching a loudspeaker to an amplifier is a seemingly arcane process, full of exceptions and confusing “rules-of-thumb” bandied about by quasi-mystic front-of-house engineers and MacGyver-like technicians (gaffer’s tape clutched firmly in hand). For those of us who just want to hook up a simple PA system for our band’s vocalist, or who… Read the rest

Samson Expedition PA Systems Carry the Day

Samson PA SystemSamson Brings Down the House With Expedition PA Systems Samson Technology has long been known for bringing wireless technology down to earth with their AirLine mic systems. Now Samson is taking aim at the PA market with a revamped line of systems offering pro-quality toolkits in highly portable packages- at price points well within reach of musicians, party planners, or… Read the rest

Dynamic or Condenser? A Tale of 2 Microphones

Dynamic MicrophoneDynamic vs. Condenser Mics Microphones — both dynamic and condenser — are key components of every PA system and recording studio, but even among sound reinforcement pros there can be considerable disagreement as to which mic is best for which task. Fortunately, you don’t have to be an audio school graduate to understand the difference between these two most basic… Read the rest

3 Sound System Solutions for Outdoor Sporting Events

Our Forecast for Outdoor Fun Summer is here — and with it comes a host of outdoor sporting events! Whether you’re putting together a volleyball tournament or soccer match, you’ll need a sound system to  broadcast to fans and enable communication between coaches and officials. For calling to the players or firing up a tightly packed group of spectators, you… Read the rest

Taming Your Church Sound System

Church Sound Systems: Reining in the Volume Sound engineers struggle against overly loud mixes every time they’re in front of the mixing console of their PA system. And while providing a satisfying mix at non-lethal volumes in a club or concert hall is one thing, mixing on a church sound system is entirely another. A congregation can include a wide… Read the rest

Are All Wireless Mics Created Equal?

The ins and outs of wireless microphone systems have caused many amateur (and more than a few professional) sound engineers to scratch their heads in confusion. Reception, interference, operating frequencies — not to mention price — can make choosing a wireless mic a daunting business. Wireless microphones operating in the UHF frequency band are often cited as the optimum choice… Read the rest

Get An Outstanding Lectern in 5 Simple Steps

How to Find a Lectern That Fits Your Needs & Your Desktop All lecterns theoretically fit on a table or desktop, and, unlike free-standing podiums, lecterns are relatively small and portable. But some lecterns are less portable than others. Tabletop lecterns come in a variety of sizes and shapes that serve a wide variety of functions. With so many… Read the rest

2 Vehicle Mounted PA Systems Take Your Message on the Move

Hit the Road With a Vehicle Mounted PA System Stationary PA systems can easily reach fans seated in bleachers, but for events where the participants (or the announcers) are in motion, a PA system that can move with the crowd becomes crucial. And while megaphones and mini PA systems are highly portable, they are impractical for situations such as parades… Read the rest

5 Guidelines for Getting Your Ideal Podium

Get a Podium & PA System That’s Right For You A podium with a built-in PA system is in many ways a grown-up lectern. From school auditoriums to the White House, podiums are an essential part of formal presentations – both big and small. These 5 guidelines to getting your ideal podium will help you understand your needs and make… Read the rest

3 Tips to Getting The Most From A Volunteer Sound Engineer

Get More Than What You Pay For From Your Volunteer Sound Engineer Getting great sound out of your church or non-profit group’s PA system is critical to keeping your listeners happy- and to getting your message across loud and clear! But it’s important to remember that your sound engineer  is often a volunteer or a part-time professional. Here are 3… Read the rest