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Recommended equipment list for a basic PA system
Recommended equipment list for a basic PA system
The audio equipment a school needs to support a basic event includes:
front of house speakers (passive or active)
audio mixing unit (16-24 channels)
amplifier (for passive speakers)
graphic equaliser
microphones (how many, dynamic or condenser, wired or radio)
microphone stands
foldback speakers
DI boxes
leads - XLR, 6.5mm Jack and 3.5mm Jack, RCA, Speakon
speaker stands
adapters.
Considerations prior to purchasing equipment
Considerations prior to purchasing equipment
When purchasing audio equipment it is essential to be clear on the reason or purpose you have for buying the equipment, the specific features you require and the budget specifications you have.
Some useful questions to ask before purchasing equipment include:
What does the school require the equipment for?
What are the specifications of the space the equipment is being used in?
What equipment is needed?
How often will the equipment be used?
Who will be using the equipment and what knowledge or skills do they have?
What specific features of each piece of equipment are required? (For example; how many input channels are required for an audio desk?)
Does the new equipment need to pair with existing equipment?
Is the equipment permanently installed or portable?
Is the budget allowing for equipment at entry level, mid range or higher quality?
When purchasing equipment for your school it is essential to follow all the Department of Education policies and procedures.
Support resources and training for using EDBuy is available on the DoE procurement webpage.
Disclaimer: The following equipment examples are only suggestions and not recommendations or endorsements of any particular product. Your individual school circumstances and budget need to be considered when purchasing any equipment so it works best for your school context.
Microphones and DI Boxes
Microphones and DI Boxes
Dynamic microphones
Dynamic microphones
Suitable for vocals, drums and instrument amplifiers.
Cardioid pick up pattern is most common.
Needs to be placed close to sound source.
Less sensitive and doesn't pick up unwanted ambient room noise.
Rugged construction and hard to damage.
No phantom power required.
Condenser microphones
Condenser microphones
Suitable for quieter acoustic sounds and groups, including choirs and drama performances.
Wider frequency response, cardioid or omnidirectional pick- up pattern.
Sensitive and will pick up more detail from the sound source, so more prone to feedback in live application.
Needs to be placed a further distance from sound source.
More clarity in sound and for recording.
Will capture more unwanted background noise.
Requires phantom power or battery.
Cardioid pick up pattern
A B stereo set up
Omnidirectional pick up pattern
X Y stereo set up
Radio or wireless microphones
Radio or wireless microphones
A microphone that does not have a lead connected to the handheld microphone (the transmitter). The transmitter sends radio waves (known as RF ie radio frequency) to the receiver which is tuned to the transmitting frequency. The output of the receiver is connected to an audio channel. The transmitter and receiver both require power, the transmitter (ie microphone) via battery, the receiver via mains power. This system allows the speaker or performer to have more mobility as there are no cables. Radio mics can be either dynamic or condenser and can be in the form of handheld, lapel (or lavalier) and headsets. The lapel and headset both require a body pack transmitter that the speaker or performer carries with them.
Low budget range microphone option examples
Low budget range microphone option examples
Mid budget range microphone option examples
Mid budget range microphone option examples
High budget range microphone option examples
High budget range microphone option examples
Audio processing devices
Audio processing devices
Audio mixing desk
Audio mixing desk
An audio mixer takes several inputs, then mixes or manipulates the audio before sending it to the outputs.
Some audio desks may be powered with a built in amplifier and some may have a built in graphic equaliser. If not, purchasing these pieces of equipment separately is required.
Analogue audio mixing desk
Digital audio mixing desk
Equalisers
Equalisers
Equalisers are used to shape the tone of a sound. They are a helpful tool in eliminating ‘feedback’ problems. In addition to eliminating feedback, overall sound system equalization is used to adjust the system such that it sounds pleasing.
Graphic equalisers consist of a set of slider controls and circuitry that allow boosting or cutting (attenuation) of a range of frequencies. Each slider is set to control a small range of frequencies, and can usually boost or cut this range fairly substantially. In a PA system, the graphic equaliser is placed between the mixer and the power amp(s) or powered speaker(s).
Amplifiers
Amplifiers
Amplifiers are electronic devices that take an existing electrical signal and make it bigger, hence the name, ‘amplifiers’.
They take an analogue line-level audio signal and convert it to something that can properly cause a loudspeaker to vibrate and thus make noise. An amplifier must be used between the outputs of a mixer and the speakers.
DI box
DI box
A DI box converts an unbalanced instrument signal into a balanced microphone signal.
There are 2 types of DI boxes - passive and active.
They are used with instruments like guitars and keyboards into an audio mixing desk.
Low budget range processing equipment option examples
Low budget range processing equipment option examples
Mid budget range processing equipment option examples
Mid budget range processing equipment option examples
High budget range processing equipment option examples
High budget range processing equipment option examples
Outputs
Outputs
Speakers
Speakers
There are 2 different types of speakers you may have in your school:
Passive speakers do not have their own power source and require external power from an amplifier in the audio system.
Active speakers have their own internal amplifier.
Active speakers vs. passive speakers
Duration: 04:02Foldback speakers
Foldback speakers
Often known as a stage monitor, a foldback speaker is used by performers to hear their own mix of vocals and instruments while performing. They are often active speakers in the shape of a wedge.
It is common for foldback to be supplied via a radio in ear headphone system (which utilizes a transmitter). This can reduce the number of speakers on the stage, and can minimize feedback.
Signal is sent to the in ear system via the auxiliary send outputs on the audio mixing desk.
Guitar amplifier
Guitar amplifier
A guitar amplifier (or amp as it is commonly called) houses loudspeakers for the purpose of producing sound from a pickup on an electric guitar, bass guitar, or acoustic guitar.
Low budget range equipment option examples
Low budget range equipment option examples
Mid budget range equipment option examples
Mid budget range equipment option examples
High budget range equipment option examples
High budget range equipment option examples
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