Need to upgrade the sound equipment in your church, auditorium or other facility? It’s important to do your research ahead of time so you know exactly what your needs are and how you can best meet them with new (or rented) equipment.
From a longtime provider of sound equipment rentals in Orange County, CA, here are some things to consider as you begin thinking about upgrading your sound equipment:
- Old does not always mean bad: Think about this—do you really need to upgrade right now? Is there anything aside from the age of your current sound system that leads you to think you need to make an upgrade? In some cases, sound systems that have worked for decades might still be able to provide better sound quality than completely new systems. If the problem is a minor malfunction, is it something that’s worth repairing? These are all things to ask yourself before you plunge headfirst into looking for a brand new system.
- Analyze your existing sound system: Again, before you upgrade, it’s important to know what it is you have versus what it is you need. Do you have the correct speakers and placement? Is there enough power for the number of speakers you have or need? Is the soundboard in a place where the operator can sufficiently hear the listening area? Is there enough physical space for all the equipment you need? Has your current system been wired properly, and could any person with knowledge of sound systems walk in and easily make repairs?
- Develop a plan for upgrades: In many cases, it simply won’t be feasible for you to upgrade all of your sound equipment at once, unless you have a significant amount of budgetary money allocated to those needs. Therefore, you should develop a plan for how you will make those upgrades over a several year period. If there is anything broken or anything that needs to be addressed quickly, those should be your immediate areas of focus. You can also include information in your plan about budgets for maintenance, upgrades and training in the future.
- Don’t go for the lowest price: The best advice you can get with sound equipment is to buy smart, not cheap. When it comes to sound equipment, you definitely get what you pay for. This doesn’t mean you go out and buy top-of-the-line equipment—you’ll likely be getting way more out of the equipment than you actually need. But find a high-quality system that fits your needs in your price range, and be sure it has good reviews and comes from a trusted brand. Don’t just look at the price tag and pick the lowest number.
- Do your research: In addition to knowing what you need, you should know what you should be paying for those needs. Look around at a wide variety of different sound system choices to get a general idea of the figures you’d be looking at, rather than opening up the checkbook for the first option you come across.
For more tips, contact Larson Lighting & Audio about sound equipment rentals in Orange County, CA.