Upgrading Your Church’s Sound System in Five Steps

#1. Before you start drafting that gear shopping list, assess the equipment you have on hand. Old doesn’t mean unusable. Think of all the people who trashed their tube amplifiers for solid-state stereos thirty years ago, only to find audiophiles preferring the warm sound of tube amps later. So, take the time to examine your gear. Does it work? Is it worth repairing? Can it be repurposed?  Is there another ministry that can use it?

#2. Scrutinize your existing system, then deconstruct it piece by piece.

Speaker selection and placement

  • Do you have the correct type and quantity of speakers?
  • Are they installed properly?
  • Do they adequately cover the seating area?

Power

  • Is there sufficient power for the number of speakers in place?
  • Are the amplifiers properly installed, with good ventilation and appropriate AC power?
  • Is there appropriate processing?

Mix position

  • Is the sound board located where the operator can properly hear the listening environment?
  • Is there enough physical space for the necessary equipment and personnel?

Wiring

  • Has the system been wired neatly and logically?
  • Were block diagrams and wiring layouts created during installation?
  • Could any knowledgeable technician walk in and repair the system, or does it only make sense to the person who installed it and / or runs it?

#3. The most worthwhile investment you can make in your church’s audio gear is the time you spend developing a strategic plan based on your church’s current and future gear needs. The best sound systems are built on a foundation of communication with your church’s leaders, administrators (for instance, the budget committee) and the worship staff.

  • Determine short-term goals. What’s broken or needs to be addressed immediately?
  • Examine your mid- and long-term goals. Develop a plan that adds over time the components needed for the functionality you want.
  • Establish a budget for gear maintenance, upgrades and training, just like your church would do for new phone or computer systems.

#4. You get what you pay for. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.You’ve heard those old saws before, but they’re true. Good equipment costs money.

  • Don’t buy anything (cords, cables, mics, speakers, mixing boards, really anything in your system) just because the price is low. Buy it because you know it will work well and reliably.
  • Talk to colleagues at other churches, read publications designed exclusively for church and production technology, attend seminars and workshops, and build a relationship with a trusted AV provider.

Once you understand exactly what you want to accomplish and which products can help, you’ll be ready to start shopping.

 

#5. Church AV is no longer a luxury. As you consider retrofitting an old system versus installing a new one, think about how you will integrate all aspects of audio-visual production. The size of the congregation is no longer the determining factor here: it’s the impact of the message on a community raised on fast-moving images.

Solutions For Common Classroom Audio Problems

For every audio problem in a classroom—from elementary school to college—there is an audio solution. Here are some of the most common challenges to good classroom audio and the best way to solve them.

Challenge: Ambient and background noise.

Solution: Simple room modifications. The best-case scenario is to address acoustical interference when a room is being designed, but that is not always an option.

A lot of ambient noise in classrooms comes from outside the room itself, such as street noise coming through a window or noise from the hallway seeping through the door. Properly sealing windows and installing heavier, more sound-proof doors are two easy fixes. Acoustical panels and sound-proofing curtains that absorb ambient noise and also prevent sound in the classroom from bouncing off hard surfaces such as walls, desks, chairs, and whiteboards are also a simple and cost-effective solution.

Challenge: Room size.

Solution: Audio amplification systems. The larger the classroom, the harder it is for students sitting farther away from the teacher to hear. Audio amplification—in this case amplifying the teacher’s voice—can account for the distance.

The most basic amplification solution is a microphone—either static or moveable—that the teacher speaks into. For a more sophisticated solution, educational institutions might consider a dynamic soundfield system.

In a dynamic soundfield system the microphone used by the teacher that transmits sound to speakers placed evenly throughout the entire room, allowing sound to be delivered at the same, comfortable volume to students no matter where they are.

Challenge: Audio for distance learning.

Solution: Integrated audio systems. In higher education especially, a teacher or professor could have as many students listening to a lecture at home on their computer as sitting in the classroom or auditorium and those remote students need the same level of audio quality that in-person students enjoy.

Solutions here include microphones connected to digital recording systems for clear, intelligible lecture capture; microphones installed throughout the room either on desk or in the ceiling, that capture student comments and questions; and, audio streaming software compatible with distance learning applications such as Skype, GoToMeeting and WebEx.

Students and Teachers Benefit From Improved Audio

Not only do students suffer from poor audio quality in classrooms, teachers do too.

Vocal strain and throat infections are a contributing factor to teacher sick days, but improved acoustics and sound amplification means teachers don’t have to raise their voices just to be heard.

Schools using classroom audio enhancements report a significant decrease in teacher absenteeism due to voice or throat problems. Audio enhancements that allow collaborative learning, which Zeo Systems offers for educational institutions at every level, improve both teacher satisfaction and student outcomes.

Can Your Gym Benefit From a Fitness Entertainment System?

Can Your Gym Benefit From A Fitness Entertainment System?

Owning a gym certainly can be a challenge.

Not only are you constantly trying to retain your customer base, but you also are always working to bring new clients on board.

So, we at Lelch Audio | Video have a question for you: How are you differentiating your Eden Prairie, MN gym from the plethora of competitors?

If you want a way to distinguish your gym this year, we have a clear recommendation: Invest in a fitness entertainment system.

Below, we’ll explore what that entails and explain how your fitness center – and your customers – can benefit from such a system.

Simply keep reading to find out more.

WHAT IS A FITNESS ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM?

With a fitness entertainment system, you can have audio and video distribution throughout your gym.

What does that entail?

Firstly, an audio and video installation expert can install a speaker system and connected TV setup throughout your fitness center.

Once the installation is complete, you will be able to access and customize your entire entertainment system from the convenience of a touchscreen panel, smartphone, or tablet application. With the press of a single button, you can choose what content to play on each television or what music you want to stream throughout your gym.

You even can customize your sound system into specific zones – so that while you play music in the common area of your gym, clients working out in private workout spaces can listen to separate streams.

THE MAIN BENEFIT: AN IMPROVED CLIENT EXPERIENCE

If you’re wondering whether a fitness entertainment system is worth the investment, consider this:

Several studies conducted have all led to the conclusion that music directly can affect exercise motivation.

By playing upbeat music throughout your gym, you can encourage a positive customer experience. Best of all, if a client wants to listen to his or her music, all they need to do is just bring earbuds or headphones.

If you choose to separate your audio distribution system into zones, you even can have clients select their own streams to listen to in private areas within your gym, just through using an in-wall touchscreen. As the gym owner, you always can turn these streams on and off at your convenience.

With a video distribution system, you also can enhance your clients’ experience.

Not only can you show content that promotes workout activity, but you also quickly can change the channel on any TV to a customer’s preference, simply by pressing a button within your control system.

By giving customers the ability to customize their experience at your gym further, the more likely it is they will have an enjoyable experience.

The uses of audio and video distribution systems don’t just end at playing music or showing the latest news.

For example, imagine your gym hosts a spinning class.

With audio distribution, while your common-area speakers play music, the room in which you’re hosting the class can produce sound only from the microphone of the instructor and music dedicated to the course.

While the class gets a devoted listening experience, you even can use video distribution to easily showcase the instructor on a large TV so that no client is left behind.

Not only will your gym promote a positive workout atmosphere, but your customers will value your dedication, as well.

Audio Visual Do’s and Don’ts For Events

Planning the audio/visual (A/V) components of an event is kind of like ordering roofing materials when building a house: it’s not all that exciting (you’d rather be browsing paint swatches or shopping for furniture).

However, it’s super important. Just like a shoddy roof can destroy a house, bad A/V (dead microphones, frozen slideshows, stark lighting) can kill the energy of your event.

In the beginning, OfficeNinjas HQ had its fair share of technical difficulties, which is why we partnered with the team at Impact Lighting|Audio|Visual for events—like Admin Bash and our upcoming Homecoming Event.

Founded by two professional lighting designers who’ve been working together for decades, Impact provides A/V support and lighting design for events ranging from corporate events and conferences to holiday parties. They think of EVERY last detail, and they’ve also helped us appreciate the artistry that goes into a well-designed event.

Maybe A/V planning is more fun than browsing paint swatches after all.

We know we got lucky with Impact; not all companies worked to bring our vision to life with excellent project management like this team did. To help you achieve similar A/V success at all your future events, we worked with Impact to come up with some event A/V do’s and don’ts.

AUDIO VISUAL DO’S & DON’TS

Venue

DO double check your venue contract for any restrictions or penalties associated with using an external A/V provider instead of the in-house A/V specialist.

DON’T sign a venue contract until you’ve talked to an A/V provider. They can help review your venue contract and ensure that it includes the necessary space, equipment, and power for your event.

DO ask the venue about ‘rigging points’ if your A/V team plans to hang anything—lighting fixtures, speakers, projectors, decor—from the ceiling. Some venues charge extra for rigging points.

DON’T forget to do a site tour with your A/V provider. They’ll spot things that may not be on your radar—specs and ease of load-in dock, control room access, security, permits, backup generators, HVAC capabilities, etc.

DO reserve enough time at the venue for setup and teardown—this is a common mistake that can quickly lead to increased expenses. Not sure how much time you need? Ask your A/V provider.

Equipment

DO plan to incorporate uplighting to set the tone. Just like a new coat of paint to a home, event lighting is a relatively inexpensive yet dramatic way to enhance the look and ambiance of the venue. Take a look at Impact’s amazing use of lighting for holiday parties, corporate events, and conferences.

DON’T forget to consider the various lighting techniques available—lanterns and string lights, pin spotting centerpieces, pattern washes, and monogram/logo projection. Ask your A/V provider for a menu of recommendations on how to make your event GLOW.

DO ask the venue about their in-house lighting, sound, and audio capabilities. Check with your A/V provider to see if any of the onsite equipment is sufficient for your event.

DON’T settle for ‘good enough’ when it comes to ordering equipment. For example, if all your visual content is designed according to a 4:3 ratio, don’t order a 16:9 widescreen monitor. This kind of mismatch is what causes the dreaded black bars in the borders of PowerPoint slide shows.

DO ask about new equipment, trends, and digital capabilities such as projection mapping, multimedia elements, and LED technology.

DON’T estimate the number of audio and display inputs you need. Switchers and sound mixer boards have a limited number of inputs, so work with your A/V specialist to get an exact count on microphones, computer audio, cameras, etc.

Communication

DO set a reasonable budget. Resist the urge to cut corners on crucial services and equipment, like microphone rentals. If the A/V provider recommends that you rent four microphones, don’t assume you can get away with just two mics and a series of quick hand-offs.

DON’T make major changes to the timeline and floorplan without talking to your A/V provider. This ensures you get the correct equipment and staff to meet your new needs.

DO meet the A/V team well before the event. Take the time to discuss your event’s theme, size, entertainment, and the venue. Share your expectations, but welcome the team’s feedback and expertise. They may have some great ideas to incorporate your brand into the lighting and audio design. (Take a look at the dynamic LED dance floor that Impact created for the International Special Events Society)

DON’T expect your A/V provider to read your mind. Show them examples of designs and layouts that you like and don’t like.

DO create an info packet for the A/V team. It should include the timeline, run of show, floor plan, contact information for your team (in case you’re unavailable), as well as a list of other vendors involved, details on load-in and load-out, and parking information. You may have covered everything in emails and meetings, but it’s helpful to have all pertinent information in one place.

These conversations will help you develop a rapport with the team prior to the event, which can be incredibly helpful when it’s time to party. Susan Sheinkopf, Director of Sales & Marketing at Impact shares,

Trusting your vendors to do a great job and communicating along the way is a big part of the success of an event, so take the time build solid relationships BEFORE you need them. That way, when an issue comes up, you’ll know who to call and will feel comfortable doing so.

T-Minus …

DON’T skip the dry run. Hold a technical rehearsal before the event so you can get in front of any potential problems. All A/V content should be loaded onto a single laptop (relying on online content is a big no-no) and emailed to the A/V provider, as well.

DO have a Plan B. Even the most well-coordinated events have been known to hit a snag or two. Think about every step of your program, how it could go wrong, and what you can do to be prepared for that situation. That might entail having backup drives on hand, creating printed hand-outs, or compiling all presentations into a single file. A seasoned A/V vendor can help you identify and plan for potential problems.

Our hope is that you’ll take this advice, find a crackerjack A/V team, and never need to utter the words, “Sorry, folks, we’re experiencing some technical difficulties.”

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What Kinds of Audio-Visual Gear Can Be Salvaged After a Flood?

With drastic storms and flooding impacting large swaths of the county, there will obviously be schools, theaters, and other venues whose audio and lighting equipment has be inundated with water. So what can be salvaged exactly?

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Certain larger pieces of equipment can be refurbished, but it isn’t as easy as simply drying them out. It involves using the proper cleaning agents, and the success of refurbishing depends of the electrical function of the equipment, the extent of flooding, the equipment’s age, and the amount of time it was in water. Another issue is that a flooded piece of equipment is not only wet, but also contaminated with whatever pollutants were in the water.
What does that mean for a theatre, school auditorium, or other venue? Here are some key items that should be replaced.
-Fuses, switches, circuit breakers
-Components containing semiconductors and transistors. That means lighting and sound control consoles, dimmer rack control and power modules, and all LED fixtures.
-Transformers. If the transformer feeding your dimmer racks was submerged, it has to be replaced.
-Outlets and switches
-Wiring in conduit
-Stage cables
-Uninterruptible power supplies
-Communications systems
-Batteries
What might be successfully reconditioned? Not much.
Conduit and tubing, if it can be completely dried out
Motors. Consult the manufacturers of your stage and pit lifts.
Yes, it’s a lot. But, it’s better to replace damaged equipment than to risk failure, or worse, of equipment with hidden damage.

If you find yourself in a possession of flooded audio-video equipment and aren’t sure if it can be salvaged, give Zeo Systems a call at 800-837-8935. Our expert staff will be able to tell you everything you need to know.

The Benefits of Webcasting

Webcasting is already being utilized by companies and organizations to widen the impact of important events, meetings, and messages. Depending on the nature of a and industry of a business, webcasts can be used in a number of ways:

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Provide in-time training and product information to your customers and employees.
Use the technology to demonstrate your products and services.
Make announcements in real time, offer online meetings, and spread awareness of events to promote your products and services.

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For companies that have multiple offices spread around different geographic areas, webcasting offers a means to address the entire company simultaneously from one central location in a cost effective manner. There are numerous benefits to employing this technology, including:

Larger audiences: Webcasting allows you to connect with anyone remotely, and all an audience participant needs is the internet. The greatest benefit is its ability to expand the reach of a message dramatically. For employee training, everyone can received the same training and information as everyone else. For a company launch event, the media and public will be able to see the launch in real time.
Cost effectiveness: Traditional events are expensive. In addition to the up-front costs associated with an event, there travelling, lodging, meals, and more. If all these factors are being paid for by the same company, such expenses can continue to grow astronomically. Most of those costs can now be eliminated thanks to webcasting.
Increase in revenue: Webcasting can increase employee productivity as well as help your company achieve results faster by cutting the time needed to market your products and services.
Audience connection: The audience can be as engaged with the presentation as if they were there in person. The live video streaming server can be configured to allow online audience members to submit questions and receive answers in real time. Audience participation can also be tracked, allowing for greater feedback and transparency.
Less of an environmental footprint: Because webcasting is virtual, it requires less resources to make a presentation or event happen, especially in terms of fuel needed to transport people long distances.
Output quality: Webcasting delivers good quality audio and video in broadcasts.
Better content: Webcasting truly puts the power of the internet at your fingertips and allows you to combine different presentation styles and multimedia. This flexibility lets you drive home your message more effectively than in more traditional settings.
Range of broadcasting: Webcasting can be broadcast to any location on the planet that has internet. It has no long distance impediments, such as radio, and can be accessed within seconds.

Zeo Systems can handle of the webcasting needs of your business or organization. From the initial survey, through the design and installation, and to the use of the system, Zeo systems will be with you every step of the way. Let our 40 years of audio-visual experience show you the way to webcasting.

10 Advantages of In-Ear Stage Monitoring

1–Superior Sound Quality
The expression “garbage in, garbage out” applies here. If you’re using wedges and can’t hear yourself unless you turn up loud enough to damage your ears and interfere with the house mix, then nobody wins. Alternatively, in-ear personal monitors deliver consistently clear sound to you onstage, regardless of your venue’s limitations. When you can adjust your performance to reflect what you hear, it’s a better experience both for you and the audience. Your confidence as a performer will get a big boost too.

2–Optimal Volume Levels
When using wedges, monitor engineers often end up in the middle of a volume war between the amplified and the unamplified. Singers, acoustic guitarists, and keyboardists can’t hear themselves over amplified electric guitarists and bassists, let alone over the drums. So, they ask, “Can you turn me up?”
“Maybe,” is the best the engineer can offer due to the limitations of power amplifier size, power handling of the speakers, and potential acoustic gain. If the room has bad acoustics, then peace is even less likely. With an in-ear personal monitor system, you’ll get studio-quality sound in a live-sound context. You can choose what you hear, and your engineers aren’t stuck waving the white flag.
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3–Elimination of Feedback
You know the sound of feedback: that intense buzzing whine that sends your hands to your ears. But what causes it?
Feedback happens when amplified sound from a loudspeaker is picked up by a microphone and re-amplified. This often occurs on crowded stages where microphones and monitor loudspeakers are too close together. When your whole band asks the engineer to turn up their mics, feedback is inevitable. In-ear personal monitor systems make this scenario moot. They seal the “loudspeakers” in your ears, breaking the feedback loop.

4–Hearing Health
Chronic exposure to the high sound pressure levels of wedges can damage your ears permanently. Earplugs can help, but even the best plugs alter frequency response enough to muffle the audio. In-ear monitors both protect your ears from outside noise while simultaneously delivering only the sounds you need to hear. With the controls in your hands, you can adjust the volume to a safe level. It’s by far the healthier option.

5–Reduced Vocal Strain
The most powerful singer is no match for an amplified guitar turned way up, or even a drum kit as-is. When singers can’t hear themselves over the stage mix—which often happens with wedge monitors—they push their voices too hard, damaging vocal chords and shortening singing careers. In-ear personal monitors allow you to hear yourself clearly when you sing, and you won’t have to scream over guitar amps and wedges. In addition to your own vocals, you can include in your mix as much or as little of the other instruments as you want.
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6–Stereo Monitoring
A distinct advantage of most in-ear monitor systems over wedges is the ability to listen in stereo. Our ears are made for stereo listening, so a stereo mix is more like a natural listening environment. When you’re able to listen to a natural-sounding mix, you’re more likely to listen at a lower volume. This means healthier ears over the long term.

7–Clean Audience Mix
Wedges are directional at high frequencies, but they become omnidirectional at low frequencies. Why that’s bad: when wedges are turned up, low-frequency bleed from the backs of the units can muddy the house mix and make vocals unintelligible to the audience, especially in smaller venues. When you use in-ear monitors, the front-of-house engineer can concentrate on delivering the best possible audience mix without having to factor in bleed from the stage mix.

8–Portability
If you play an amplified instrument or drums, then you’re no stranger to schlepping gear. Amps weigh around 55 pounds each. Wedges weigh about 45 pounds each. The more of those you have, the larger the vehicle you need, and the more you’re spending on gas. A complete in-ear monitor system fits in a briefcase, with no extra schlepping, vehicle space, or gas required. Plus, getting rid of wedges and speaker cables gives your stage a cleaner, more professional look, which matters if your gigs are weddings, worship services, and corporate events with different aesthetic standards than the average night club.

9–Mobility
When you use wedge monitors, you’re limited to a sweet spot onstage where the mix sounds as good as it gets. Move a little to the right or left, and things go downhill. Why? Because loudspeakers are directional. Using in-ear monitors, on the other hand, is like using headphones: the sound goes where you go. So, if you want to play to the crowd on either side of the stage, you hear the same mix wherever you go.

#10–Personal Control
Perhaps the most empowering part of in-ear monitoring is having direct control over what you hear. You’ll still rely on the monitor engineer for fine adjustments, but you can adjust the volume using the knob on your bodypack, and you can choose different mixes yourself.
If you use a stereo mix, you’ll hear the same thing in both ears, but you can pan left and right to hear more or less in either ear. From there, you can use the bodypack controls to adjust the balance of the sound sources. For example, you might want vocals and guitar in the left ear, and drums and bass in the right.

The Impact of Sound Systems on Learning and the Academic Experience

Hearing a message in school is critical for students and staff, regardless if it’s a school-wide announcement or directed at a specific room or individual. The ability of an administration to communicate loud and clear with all school occupants can be a matter of academic success or personal safety. While your school weighs the options of installing a brand new system or upgrading an existing sound system, it is prudent to research various systems on the market and determine which ones meet your school’s specific needs.

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Paging Systems

This is arguably the most crucial piece of audio equipment in a school. They are used for a multitude of purposes: to send emergency messages, to broadcast daily announcements, and to call students or staff to the main office, just to name a few.

Usually there are one or two speakers per classroom with the rest of the system’s speakers distributed throughout bathrooms, corridors, and general public areas of the school. Traditional paging systems centered around one microphone in the main office, however, modern systems are integrated into the school’s telephone lines, allowing administrators, teachers, and other staff entry to the paging system by entering an access code into one of the telephones.

Classroom Systems

These systems are designed for the specific needs of individual rooms throughout the school building. Music rooms, for example, might require special speakers and other equipment to allow students to listen to music without a sacrifice in audio quality. Lecture halls and theaters can require a variety of speakers throughout the space in order to assure that students can clearly hear what is being said through the microphone(s).

The number of speakers in a given room with is contingent on the room’s capacity and its intended use. Effectively designed sound systems will allow students to hear teacher lectures, student presentations, films, and so forth. The purpose of these systems is to enhance the academic experience of students and to allow staff to perform their jobs more effectively.

Gym Systems

Homecomings, pep-rallies, and sports games are all staples of an American high school. These exciting, school-spirit building events can attract audiences of all sizes. A gym’s sound system is critical in making sure that everyone is engaged and entertained on the court or on the bleachers.

It is important to have a correctly designed sound system for such a large space. Various speakers must be used to blanket all corners of the gym in sound while accounting for loud audiences and untreated, aurally reflective surfaces like wooden floors, brick walls, and metal ceilings.

Zeo Systems enjoys the challenge of designing and installing sound systems that can increase school pride, open learning opportunities, and enhance communication throughout the school. For further information, request a consultation

Installing Hearing Loops Brings Inclusivity to Your Business

Hearing impairments can inhibit communication in all aspects of life, business meetings being no different. Have you ever given a presentation to audience members with hearing aids and worried that they might miss spoken content? Luckily, technology has the answer in hearing loops systems which are designed to act as personal sound systems for those with hearing impairments by sending sound directly to their hearing aids.

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What is a Hearing Loop System?

The system is an audio induction loop which transmits sound waves through wireless magnetic signal. This signal is then received by the hear aid’s telecoil. Hearing loops offer a great level of audio quality and clarity because the signal comes directly from the source (ie. microphone, recording, ect) without any ambient room noises. Many hearing aids unfortunately mix room noises together, leading to confusion and frustration for the listener. However, the filtration found in hearing loops allows the hearing aid to individualize each sound as it happens in real time and prevents the listener from falling behind in the presentation.

Where Are Hearing Loop Systems Used?

Already common in banks, cinemas, and theaters, hearing loops can be helpful in conference rooms, event venues, schools, and stadiums. Practically speaking, hearing loops can be used any place at any time. They can be installed for private individual offices as well as large meeting spaces. For private offices, the hearing loop uses a binaural system for computers and phones. For large rooms, room loop rotation is utilized, especially for microphones, carrying signals from around the room and transmitting and filtering them to the hearing aid.

Perks of Hearing Loop System

Requires no pick up and uses a universal magnet signal, which reduces the amount of unwanted sound interference and is compatible with any pre-existing hearing aids
Easy to hide and won’t disturb others within close proximity like systems that have excess sound coming out of the headset
Personalized to your needs and increased flexibility in wear and use in transient situations, such as at teller windows and drive-thru stations
It’s a big money saver because once installed, fewer portable receiving units need to be purchased
Current hearing aids can be used with the system, so the out-of-pocket cost decreases drastically in the long run

Zeo Systems offer installation services for hearing loop systems for your business. Our hearing loop systems conform to all ADA requirements for those with hearing disabilities and can work with you to accommodate your business’ needs.

Funding Needs for Audio-Visual Systems

Quality audio-visual systems are an absolute necessity to grab an audience’s attention. This is especially true in schools, offices, and house of worship. When preparing to install a new audio-visual system or integrate with an existing system, the concerns of the audio-visual budget, its funding options, and the need for technical support must all be addressed.
Audio-visual systems can make up a significant amount of a facility budget. Indeed, in modern high-tech building projects, the audio-visual work is often the largest sub-contracted job. Qualified professionals should inspect the building or facility, and the prospective client should shop around for reasonable quotes for the level of desired AV equipment. It is best to determine the interplay between available funds and the requirement of various systems early in the process. If the budget is too small, then either the project must be reduced in size or more funds must be acquired. Furthermore, the source of the funding should be decided. For example, is the audio-visual system part of the initial building costs like an electrical system? Or is it paid for from capital funds? Or perhaps the operations budget? The source of funding should be one the first decisions made.
The scale of the project will greatly influence available funding options. Will the project be a full-size building, integrations, renovations, or a one-off installation? These projects are handled differently between organizations. Funding options may include private internal capital, or public capital approved by a government body. Realistic appropriations need to be made as early as possible if the project is to include significant audio-visual capabilities. It is usually difficult to request additional funds once a budget is drawn up and approved.
Unfortunately, many brand new multi-million dollar systems sit underutilized or understaffed, and thus are not used to their full potential. To avoid this disparity, the audio-visual project budget should include allotments for additional training or for hiring additional staff. New systems can be unfamiliar with a staff accustomed to older technology. The technical staff may be required to address operations and maintenance concerns. In this case, additional funding for training may be needed to bring staff up to par with the latest systems. Additionally, even with training, the existing staff may not be able to handle the advanced systems. More staff may be necessary in this event.
Budgeting and funding should be agreed on and set early on in the project planning process. Effective budgeting can completely transform the audio-visual capabilities of a building or cause a total headache. Zeo Systems recommends avoiding the headache.