Audio

Audio:

A professional sound system isn't anything like your 5.1 home stereo - it's ten times more complicated, and the level of skill required to get clear audio to every seat in the house is not one that many possess.

We offer a number of different systems, all dependent on the size and nature of the venue and the source to be played through the speakers.

Conference Audio involves speakers set up on stands in venues where there isn't time, budget or roof height to hang them.  While not ideal, the right audio technician can EQ a stand-mounted system to ensure good levels of audio reach every guest. 

Distributed Audio is a system (commonly used in conference situations in larger venues) that is ceiling mounted across the space, making it easier to give a consistent level of sound to all areas of the room, without 'blasting' those at the front, or leaving those at the back and sides straining to hear.

But good sound is not just about level.  At the back end of an audio setup is the control equipment that makes everything work.

The average Mirage AV audio setup includes most of the following every time; compressor/limiters to boost low level sound and even out peaks, EQ to 'tune' the speakers to the unique acoustic characteristics of the room - essential in avoiding feedback.  The mixing console may take many forms, depending on the number of microphones and instruments running back to this point, and may include inputs for PC audio, a CD player (generally on-site as a backup), and of course, feeds from the Vision equipment, such as DVD Players or VCRs.  The cables for each of these pieces of equipment need to be specially shielded to prevent interference from other sources, and are often as precious, if not more so, than the speakers themselves to the audio technicians.  Having moved to the digital age, we may choose to use a digital mixing console that gives the audio engineer banks of effects and precision control at his or her fingertips.

The experience of an audio technician determines whether or not he or she can EQ a room correctly, ensuring all presenters, no matter what their voice type, can be heard.  Because some presenters do have difficulty using microphones, for various reasons (height, voice type, nervousness), if we know beforehand, we are able to offer various solutions in terms of microphones that may suit their presentation style better, or for instance, that will cover them if they choose to move away from a fixed microphone or lectern.

We also supply concert audio - for indoor or outdoor events and festivals, we have systems to cover the largest venues, for band audio (stacks either side of stage) or where an even sound distribution for music is required (hung Line Array), we supply it all.