By Ike Wilson
News-Post Staff

FREDERICK — Good sound is good business, especially in retail, says Eric Johnson.

Whether or not consumers purchase, and how much they spend, is "heavily driven" by their mood and how long they are in the establishment -- hence, the importance of a good public address system, said Mr. Johnson, president of Audio-Video Group LLC.

A public address system that isn't up to the task can be a master of ceremony's nightmare, and can even do irreparable damage to a well-planned program.

"The importance of sound systems in all aspects of daily living should be obvious, but it must be emphasized," Mr. Johnson said.

A good PA system can be an indispensable tool to an emcee, sports announcers who use the device to fire up the home team, and for churches to get the word out.

Sound systems help deliver lessons and lectures, general and emergency announcements, and musical and dramatic productions, and with the growing intensity in worship -- including full bands with numerous vocalists, guitars, keyboards and drums -- the sound system can either greatly enhance or distract from the service, audio-visual professionals say.

Reaching the youth of today can no longer be done with less-than-adequate sound systems. The younger generations are used to -- and expect -- a much higher level of sensation and energy, Mr. Johnson said.

"Getting the message out without losing its content and impact is imperative," Mr. Johnson said. "Investing in a high-quality sound system is truly an investment in the future of your organization."

When it comes to PA systems, Mr. Johnson said, "there's a horribly wrong perception that a microphone is a microphone and a speaker is a speaker. This could not be further from the truth." Each product comes with specific applications, and with electronics, you typically get what you pay for, Mr. Johnson said.

Relying on a qualified and experienced professional is still the best means of getting the proper equipment for any situation, the businessman said.

John Fieseler, who is frequently called upon to emcee events in Frederick, knows a thing or two about PA systems.

"A PA system is very important, especially as the number of attendees gets larger. If there is an echo in the room or a number of senior citizens in attendance, it is important to have clear sound at an adequate volume to compensate. If people can't hear or have to strain to hear, it certainly diminishes the program," Mr. Fieseler said. "On the plus side, if people don't laugh at your jokes, you can blame it on a lousy sound system."

A big challenge in emceeing an event that begins with a social hour is trying to get the attendees' attention to start the program or to get them seated for dinner, said Mr. Fieseler. "A sound system that might be adequate for a quiet room often doesn't cut it at this point."

Some of the most common problems Mr. Fieseler has encountered are:

A PA is checked and volume set when the room is empty before an event, but when it needs to be turned up when there is more ambient noise, this is a prime time for feedback to occur;

Head tables or lecterns are often placed without regard to where ceiling speakers are located. If one is nearby, this is another situation where feedback is likely;

Wireless microphones are often tested with no one else in the room. They work then. When the space between the receiver and the mike is filled with people, the signal is often blocked enough to cause problems. Signal drops out and someone says "but it worked when we tested it."

Presenters using wireless mikes sometimes roam around a room without regard to the locations of speakers, again setting up a situation where feedback occurs.

Mr. Fieseler said he has no favorite equipment. "I just like any equipment that works reliably," he said. "Plus, it is always a good idea that someone in the room knows where the volume control is, in case feedback occurs."

Mr. Johnson said the demand for reliable PA systems is growing consistent with the area's population and the addition of more facilities such as restaurants, houses of worship and retail businesses.

Modern PA system installations can be custom-designed. Using computer-aided modeling software, a room can be drawn to exact dimensions. Then, each surface is labeled with its appropriate building material: drywall, plaster, brick, drop-tile ceiling, carpet, wood -- allowing the computer to have accurate room size and acoustic properties.

The computer program can then place speakers by almost any manufacturer to determine the best location for volume and intelligibility, while making complex calculations for reverberation times, Mr. Johnson said.

Todd Main, manager of The Music and Arts Center on West Patrick Street, said an amplifier is the core of a good sound system.

Mr. Main said jazz musicians experimented with amplifying traditional hollow-body guitars so they could play with other instruments at the same sound level in the 1930s. However, the speakers tended to generate feedback when played at high levels.

In the 1940s, amplifiers were created with built-in tone controls, and improvements have continued over the decades, Mr. Main said, resulting in a broad spectrum of amplifier choices with a variety of features and uses.

"Different amplifiers are designed to complement different styles of uses -- whether used for instruments, vocals or buildings," Mr. Main said.

The cost for sound systems vary, depending on venue and requirements, Mr. Main said. And almost all systems are designed to allow any average user to be easily trained for proper operation.

But Mr. Johnson said some systems are complex due to their intended uses, level of expertise involved and their overall working environment, which may require further instruction beyond initial training.

When it comes to buying a sound system, Mr. Johnson said the most common concern is, "unfortunately, still cost. A consumer may become confused, and sometimes, misled due to the variety of manufacturers and levels of quality."
 

Email Eric about this article: ericj@audiovideogroup.com

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