Category: Audio

Image of Sound System Rental for Live Event

How to Choose the Right Sound System Rental for your Live Event

audio line array system

A full concert audio line array system for an outdoor festival

Contrary to popular belief, not everyone is an audio engineer. However, you wouldn’t think so if you’ve ever attended a live event with bad audio. As the audience is leaving (usually before the event has ended) the common sentence heard from the audience is typically a version of “Wow, that sounded really bad!” Sometimes, the word used is a little more vulgar and rhymes with ‘fit’ – you know which one I mean!

Choosing the right sound system rental is a vital part of the process of doing live events. The audio at your event needs to be clear with full range of lows to highs accurately broadcast. Notice that I didn’t say ‘loud’, because loud isn’t necessarily good sound! As a live event producer, marketing firm or even the ‘man on the street’ – live audio needs to sound good to get the message across. Hopefully, this article will allow you to walk away with a little more information on selecting the proper sound system rental for your specific type of event.

In this article, we’ll begin with the basics and talk about loudspeakers. Loudspeakers can be grouped into two major categories for live events: Conventional Loudspeakers and Line Array.

Conventional Speakers

Image of Traditional Sound SystemConventional speakers (also known as point source boxes for the technically astute) are based on the same designs and components that became popular with the advent of the telephone and gramophone. You’ve seen these types of speakers ever since you were a kid and they are typically used for everything from high school choir performances to smaller concerts. Some people consider them a cheaper alternative to Line Array, but they are not the poor cousin. Conventional speakers have several advantages over Line Array, including the ability to cover a more diverse type of venue, better volume control in smaller areas and a much more natural sound at lower volume levels.

Line Array

Image of Line Array Sound SystemLine Array, while still using similar components as conventional speakers, are a different breed of loudspeakers. Introduced in the mid-90’s, Line Array uses constructive interference to throw sound farther than is possible with conventional loudspeakers. Typically, a Line Array is flown; hung from the ceiling of a venue or from a load bearing structure, as pictured. Line Array is also normally louder than conventional speakers. As a result, it’s used for large concerts in both indoor and outdoor venues. However, it’s not a solution for every show – it’s limitations in directivity and the very nature of its long throw characteristics make it a poor choice for intimate venues, certain types of outdoor events and events where flying PA is impractical.

Technological advances in loudspeaker and amplification technology has made both types of loudspeakers viable options for your sound system rental depending on the type of venue and event you are planning.

Hopefully this blog has been informative for our event planner clients! For more information on In Depth Events and our event production capabilities, please Ask Us a Question today. We look forward to hearing from you and working with you on your event!


The Most Trusted Name in Sound, Stage, Lighting and Video Production Vendors

As a marketing or PR firm, the choice of the right live event production vendor for your live event can mean the difference between dizzying success or dismal failure. You need a company that can provide a safe, structurally sound stage and rooftop. A company that can provide the appropriate sound system for the venue. A company with experience in different types of lighting for different types of events. A company that knows how video can motivate an audience. And, hopefully, a company that can truck it all to your activation site, no matter what market your live event is in.

If you are reading this and nodding your head, then you’ve found the right place. Our company, In Depth Events, is made up of experts at all of the above. Of course, anyone can SAY that, but how do you prove it? For us, it’s a simple matter of showing you our experience through the pictures of shows we’ve helped produce, a quick look at our repeat client base and the compliments of our past clients.

Most importantly, however, is not our technical expertise. It’s the way we work with our clients. You’ll find that we speak your language and our friendly sales staff is almost physic when it comes to anticipating your needs. On site, our technical staff is willing to accommodate your client’s needs to an astounding degree. Our entire team is there to make your show look great, which makes you look great in the eyes of your end client.

Does this sound like your dream company? For more information on In Depth Events and live event production vendor capabilities, please Ask Us a Question today. We look forward to hearing from you and working with you on your event!