But it isn’t as cut and dried as simply adding some fabric-based materials on walls, ceilings and floors.

In order to get the best result, you must first understand that there are two types of acoustic room treatments – absorbers and diffusers – that can help alleviate echo and reverberation in studios or theaters.

Absorbers reduce excess sound reflected in a room while diffusers spread out those reflections.

Combining office sound absorption and diffusion solutions results in clearer, more satisfying acoustic experiences because it maintains an amount of reverberant ambience that is key to our ability to form accurate sound images.

The most important factor for room acoustics is finding the best balance of absorption, diffusion, and placement that will improve the unique acoustic properties of a particular space.

Determining what, when and why to use acoustic absorbers and/or diffusers – and where they should be in the space – should play a big role in your design. There are many strategies to consider, but first you’ll need a basic understanding of factors that contribute to the overall sound of a room.

First Reflection Point

The areas from which sound reflects first, after originating from its source, are known as First Reflection Points, which are responsible for the first and worst effects on a room’s acoustics.

Hard flat surfaces strongly reflect “original” sound, and these strong reflections combine with sound from the source to create destructive interferences at the listening position.

In order to develop an acoustical treatment strategy, it’s best to locate the first reflection points in the room.

There are videos available — like the one below — that demonstrate a simple method for locating first reflection points in your room. To summarize:

1. Working with an assistant, sit at at the “best” listening/viewing location, facing the speakers.
2. The assistant should place a handheld mirror against one side wall at the height of the seated person’s ears and move it horizontally along the wall until the seated person can see the center of the speaker closest to that wall in the mirror.
3. Mark the position of the mirror with painter’s tape – that’s the first reflection point for that speaker and wall.
4. Repeat steps 1-3 for the other side wall of the room. You can also find and mark first reflection points for the “front” wall (the wall you face when listening).

If you choose to add acoustic treatments to the ceiling (and you should consider it – it’s a large flat surface that contributes to the number of strong reflections), you’ll need to find and mark those as well.

Once the first reflection points have been located, you can decide whether to treat them with absorbers, diffusers, or both, depending on desired results.

Sound Absorption, Diffusion… and Phase

When sound reflects off the walls of a room, it reaches the listener later because it’s travelling farther than the direct (original) sound.

Because the reflection is a delayed version of the original sound, it destructively combines with the original sound, interfering with a person’s ability to accurately perceive the direction and composition of the sound.

As sound reflections fill a room, they also generate interference with each other, and the result is poor acoustics: too much echo and reverberation, and bad sound imaging.

Think of it as sloshing water around in a bathtub.

When you introduce energy to the water, that energy propagates in the form of waves, generating peaks, valleys and dead zones as the waves amplify, diminish or cancel each other out.

For many first reflection points in most rooms, the best solution for this is often diffusers, which spread out sound energy, reducing the destructive interferences caused by untreated strong reflections.

While sound absorption panels will also reduce the energy level of reflections, they can be overused. This is a common problem in many critical listening environments.

Diffusers won’t diminish ambience or alter pitch perception the way using too many absorbers can.

However, some diffusers come with a separate set of issues.

One example is “Quadratic Residue” designs, which work by distorting the timing or phase relationships within the reflections, thereby damaging the sound image.

In these instances, the acoustic experience suffers because we rely on the timing, or phase, of sounds to construct accurate sound images in our minds.

Phase Coherence and Accurate Sound Imaging

Because human hearing has evolved as a survival tool, our brains are very sensitive to timing or phase information for the purpose of sound location. “Phase coherence,” or unaltered timing information, is a critical component of hearing sound accurately.

Think of how quickly you respond when you’re surprised by a sudden sharp or loud noise. You instinctively look in the direction from which the sound came as your nervous system primes you either to fight, turn and run or simply not worry. We may take this for granted, but it underscores the amazing nature of our brains.

In the same way that having two eyes enables our brain to construct three-dimensional representations of the world, having two ears also enables us to hear where a sound is originating in the same three-dimensional space.

This is similar to the highly refined echo-location system that bats use to “see” in the dark.

Related: These 5 F’s are the Keys To Better AV Design Solutions

Though the difference may be extremely small, sound emanating from a source off to one side or another will reach our ears at slightly different times because of their physical separation on our heads.

Our brains then interpret those tiny timing differences almost instantaneously to determine the location of the sound source. But if the timing of a sound is somehow not what our brains expect it to be, our ability to construct an accurate sound image is thrown off. In a word, things just don’t “sound right” to our ears.

Curved-surface phase-coherent diffusers smoothly spread out reflections and reduce “hot spots” to better preserve the timing (phase), loudness (amplitude) and tone (harmonics) information in reflections.

Curved diffusers also decrease the need for sound absorption, thereby retaining a level of reverberation that’s agreeable to our ears.

This type of room treatment is not a new discovery – RCA Studios in New York, for example, used this method in the early 1940s.

Phase-coherent diffusion also helps preserve accurate sound imaging/location, providing a wider, “stereophonic” sense of space. Using phase-distorting diffusers, like Quadratic-Residue types, in the first-reflection points results in our brain/ear combo being less able to form an accurate sound image of the audio it’s hearing.

Timing accuracy, or “phase coherence” is essential for both recording and hearing sound accurately.

Treating a Room

WALLS & CORNERS

While the conventional wisdom has been to use absorber panels to treat first reflection points, curved-surface diffusers offer a more effective option in treating these highly problematic spots.

Stereo fields will sound wider, with clearer and more focused details because of the phase-coherence that results from the constant-radius cylindrical shape of the diffuser.

For home theater applications, place a vertical curved diffuser at the first reflection points on the side walls, and possibly the back wall, with a horizontal curved diffuser on the front wall beneath and parallel to the center speaker.

Since the corners of a room further exaggerate sound reflections, place a fabric-wrapped absorber panel on each side of the front corners of the room to reduce side-to-side repeating reflections – also known as “flutter echoes.”

Use two additional fabric-wrapped absorber panels in the corners of the back wall to reduce front-to-back reflections along the length of your room.

Though each room presents its own unique set of acoustical challenges, this combined sound absorption/diffusion design should improve the acoustic quality of nearly any room.

You can also add another curved-surface diffuser on each side wall at a right-angle to the primary seating position. This will eliminate the most annoying “flutter echoes” from the listener’s position.

CEILINGS

Like walls, ceilings are large, flat surfaces that should be acoustically treated in any critical-listening space – rooms will greatly benefit from ceiling absorber panels, typically called “clouds.”

For especially challenging rooms, the wall treatments mentioned above (a combination of sound absorption and diffusion) will typically provide a similar result on the ceiling,

Cloud absorbers are lightweight and easy to install, with good acoustical control of echo and reverberation. For the best effect, place two clouds on the ceiling at the first reflection points, and two above your seating area.

You don’t need to treat every square-foot of your room to have great acoustics. A strategic combination of absorption and diffusion targeting the problem areas – the first reflection points, corners, ceilings, etc. – can transform a poor-sounding room into a fantastic one.

The post Where Your Office Needs Sound Absorption (and Where Other Techniques Work Better!) appeared first on My TechDecisions.

Thanks to recent deal with Biamp Systems, Cambridge will broaden its reach even further. Biamp Systems, a portfolio company of Highlander Partners, L.P., recently acquired Cambridge Sound Management from Gladstone Investment Corp. Operations will continue to be conducted from Cambridge’s existing facilities in Massachusetts and Georgia.

Meghann Ellis, newly appointed general manager of Cambridge, comments, “We believe that Biamp is a perfect fit for our business and look forward to contributing to its continued success. Biamp’s broad reach into the commercial AV world will enhance Cambridge’s leading position and present us with access to significant new channels for growth.”

Ben Slater, director of Highlander Partners, adds, “Cambridge fits squarely into some of the most pronounced trends in commercial infrastructure today: open and modern architecture, improving workplace conditions and productivity, and a heightened focus on privacy. Its position in the high-growth sound masking category is unparalleled and we are thrilled to welcome Cambridge into the Biamp family. This acquisition confirms our strategy of executing complementary add-on acquisitions that expand Biamp’s existing product offerings while continuing to invest in organic growth. We plan to leverage the strength of our brands and distribution capabilities to ensure both Cambridgeand Biamp products reach an even broader audience throughout the vast professional audiovisual landscape. We continue to evaluate M&A opportunities and expect to make additional acquisitions going forward.”

In September 2016 Highlander added industry veteran Rashid Skaf, the former CEO of AMX, as a senior advisor to identify technology company opportunities; in November 2017 Highlander acquired Biamp and Skaf became president, CEO, and co-Chairman of Biamp.  He adds, “The acquisition of Cambridge Sound Management unites two great brands in the professional audiovisual market. Together, we offer customers better access to industry leading solutions that manage sound and video to address a wide array of modern communications and collaboration challenges.  It has been just one year since our acquisition of Biamp with the stated intent of using it as a platform to build a respected provider of comprehensive audiovisual solutions. This transaction is evidence of that strategy being implemented.”

The post Biamp Systems Acquires Sound Masking Provider Cambridge Sound Management appeared first on My TechDecisions.

Factor in the design trend of open, barrier-free office spaces, and the problem exacerbates. Studies show productivity decreases by as much as 40% because of noise and distractions. The University of California Irvine found that employees are interrupted once every 11 minutes, and it can take as much as 23 minutes to get back on task.

And when productivity plummets, mistakes often ensue, leading to potentially more money lost. The Data Entry Management Association states that data entry errors can go up by as much as 38% because of office noise and distractions.

The noise problem of an ultra-quiet office causes not just a drop in productivity; it also jeopardizes privacy of speech. According to a study by the Center for the Built Environment at UC Berkeley, employees are bothered more by the lack of privacy than noise level in an office environment. Confidential conversations become public knowledge. According to Logison, without a proper level of background noise, you can easily hear conversations and noise from up to 50 feet away.

One solution is to revert back to the old-fashioned “closed door” design of corporate offices of yesteryear. This often requires a significant and expensive structural overhaul and jeopardizes all the good things about an open office environment: employee collaboration and teamwork.

For these reasons, sound masking has become an increasingly popular tool for resolving speech privacy and productivity issues in the workplace. Unlike other strategies, like modifying the acoustical characteristics of a space, a sound masking system raises no visual conflict with the room cosmetics. In fact, it’s virtually imperceptible—comprised of a series of loudspeakers installed in a grid-like pattern in the ceiling. These speakers emit ambient sound, similar to the sound of airflow, that’s specifically engineered to frequencies that mask speech and other noises. The effect is like sitting in a busy restaurant: You know that people are talking, but you are unable to decipher exactly what they are saying. Sound masking does not cancel sound or eliminate all speech noise; it simply reduces how far away conversations can be heard and understood by others.

The speakers that emit sound are wired back to a central controller, from where volume and duration can be set and adjusted. Sound masking should be neither too loud nor too quiet to do its job. The proper decibel level, according to most manufacturers is about 48 decibels. By comparison, a conversation between two people next to each other registers at about 60 decibels. The 48-decibel sound masking setting ensures that two people in close range can easily hear each other, but those more than 15 feet away won’t be able to overhear the conversation.

The goal is to create a uniform measure of sound across an entire office space at a consistent volume and frequency level so that the “hum” of the masking system goes unnoticed. It just becomes part of the environment. Hot spots where the sound is too loud and cold spots where the sound is too quiet should be avoided, as this will make the sound masking system less effective, as employees will notice the hum of the system

The size, shape, acoustics, and sound signatures of an office space will determine the layout and design of a sound masking system. At its most basic, a system includes speakers, amplifiers, equalizers, and controllers. For smaller spaces, self-amplified masking speakers could be employed, which precludes the need for external amplifiers. For larger spaces that are made up of different work areas–meeting spots, reception areas, etc., a benefit from a system that can be divided into several different sound masking zones, each tailored to the needs of its respective space and able to be controlled individually.

Unlike many other technologies you choose for your office space, a sound masking system requires very little upkeep. Once it’s set, you can forget about it, for the most part. However, there are ways to adjust the volume throughout the day; for example, lowering the decibel level at the end of the work day and on weekends so that custodians can easily hear each other. Occupancy sensors can be integrated, enabling the system adjust automatically whenever a space is vacant then ramp up when employees return.

Even with these enhancements, sound masking remains a relatively simple solution to a company’s productivity and/or speech privacy concerns. Unlike other technologies that often require an overhaul of the office infrastructure or design, once a sound masking system has been installed, it’s business as usual. Nobody will ever notice that it’s there as it works imperceptibly in the background to create a more productive, comfortable, and efficient office environment.

The post Is it Worth Investing in Sound Masking Technology? appeared first on My TechDecisions.

Dante Domain Manager is Audinate’s award-winning network management solution, praised for “bringing enterprise-grade system administration to the AV world, making audio networking more secure, scalable and controllable than ever before.”

“This technology provides AV and IT professionals with the ability to define specific AV device groupings by room, building and site, through the creation of independent Dante Domains,” according to the Audinate press release.

“Each domain has multiple access levels to improve network security, and enables scalability by allowing audio routing across multiple IP subnets.

“Available in three editions, Dante Domain Manager can be tailored to meet user needs and budgets while maintaining the agility, scalability and security necessary to create a trusted audio network.”

“Since its introduction to the market earlier this year, Dante Domain Manager has been extremely well received by OEMs, integrators and end customers,” said Joshua Rush, senior VP of marketing and products for Audinate, in the company announcement.

“These new enhancements make Dante Domain Manager that much more valuable by providing additional features that enhance the scalability and ease of use of the platform.”

Larger Installs and Expansion Packs

For larger Dante installations, customers can purchase expansion packs for the Platinum Edition to support up to 1,050 devices per instance of Dante Domain Manager.

The automatic device discovery service that customers have grown accustomed to with 4.0 firmware devices, has now been extended to legacy (pre-v4.0) devices.

This makes it easier for products with and without the 4.0 firmware to co-exist in Dante Domain Manager.

The Network Diagnostics Report “provides instant visibility of basic network configuration via connectivity, DHCP, DNS and Internet reachability tests,” according to the Audinate press release.

Available in the Network & Security settings, it is now a single click to establish if there are any fundamental configuration errors on the network.

With the latest Dante Domain Manager update, customers can now rename Dante domains without having to delete and recreate them.

The post New Version of Dante Domain Manager from Audinate appeared first on My TechDecisions.

This guide provides insight from audio experts on how to best manage a venue, which products will sup- port various speaking styles, and maintenance tips to keeping audio technology in long-lasting shape.

The challenges with a university’s audio setup for a guest speaker should be few, but still exist.

If equipment fails, the guest speaker might miss an unpleasant spottiness in their voice. A microphone may shriek with feedback, or a battery failure within a microphone might cut off a speech altogether.

Audio solutions are key to an event that features speaking, and proper audio is much more than putting a wireless microphone in a person’s hand. While executing a prime audio system setup, colleges should have expertise on their venue locations and equipment management.

Know the Space

Staff members that work with guest speakers must understand what equipment is built into the campus’s venue, says Michael Granek, a management consultant who has previous experience as the academic director of the Art Institute of Vancouver.

“Faculty need to be trained properly on what’s available, or there should be an audio technician available when there is a guest speaker,” he says.

However, Granek says that audio technicians may not always be available when needed. This means that sound boards, speaker systems and other audio equipment should be clearly labeled for non-tech staff to handle their needs.

Some facilities are not designed with acoustical needs in mind, but offer the size for a speaking event. To enhance a room’s acoustics, panels can be placed to cut off parts of a larger area, making it easier to fill the remaining space with sound, says North Sioux City, S.D-based consultant Paul Engel, a former economist who has spoken at universities and Toastmaster events.

Engel also says mobile speaker systems can help fill dead spaces in a facility.

“Adding [solutions like] television monitors with good audio can further enhance the audience’s experience,” he says.

If a college is making long-term changes to a venue or setting up for a major event like a graduation, Granek says colleges should foster a strong relationship with vendors. He says being tight with vendors increases a college’s chances of getting good executional tips and product recommendations.

“Trust your AV supplier,” he says. “They need to work with you to provide different options. If they don’t, then find another supplier. They can make the space and make different recommendations.”

Granek says this is particularly true when working with outdoor venues, especially since outdoor locations provide unique challenges, such as wind.

“You can’t plan unless you’ve done an event there before or you have inspected the space,” Granek says.

Richard Bugg, the audio control sound manager for Meyer Sound Labs, Berkley, Calif. says that the materials which make up a room can also have an effect on sound.

He says some spaces, like an armory, have concrete floors and walls that produce a lot of reverberation. He says this is good for music, but tough for the spoken word.

As a result, he says that colleges should install equipment in the best spaces of each active venue to enable the highest sound quality for an audience

“It’s important to put the sound where it is needed, not on the floor or on the walls,” Bugg says. “The way to do that is to use directionally focused speakers to focus the sound on the audience, limiting the sound that is wasted and could echo. Directional microphones also help control the audio in a poor acoustical venue.”

Pick the Right Equipment

When investing in audio solutions, colleges should consider a range

of equipment, from products “that will do the job,” to medium-range options to high-end options. Investing in these options assists the educational institution with selecting the products that best balance the equipment quality and available budget.

Engel says that while colleges should consider a vast spectrum of audio technologies, they should only invest in products that are necessary for their needs.

“Don’t use equipment you don’t need,” Engel explains. “We once used a router for an Internet broadcast from New York University to Tokyo that caused problems, and it was totally unnecessary.”

Engel also says that once a college has its audio equipment stacked and loaded, it needs to start maintaining these products. He says required maintenance for all solutions include testing the speakers, mics and other equipment, especially before a speech.

“Test, test, test – test the design of setup the day before, test before speaker arrives, test with the speaker,” Engel says. “Give yourself time to make fixes.”

Granek recommends providing a short tip sheet of what equipment is available to guest speakers before they speak.

He says one item that is a must-have on those tip sheets includes lectern microphones, which tend to be the easiest to set up and use.

However, colleges should be wary of the voice types and speaking styles that step up to the mic.

For example, if the gain is set high for a soft-speaking guest, a microphone may be too high for those with a louder voice. Adjusting the position of the mic or including a windscreen will take care of various volumes, but some guest speakers may be unfamiliar with how to make these adjustments. Still, other speakers will reject the lectern and stationary microphone because they want the option to move around.

Granek recommends having both lavaliere and handheld mics avail- able to provide backup options, and to fit the speaker’s style. For example, motivational speakers might prefer lavaliere or headset microphones to free up their hands for a more physical presentation, while other speakers might prefer handheld mics that move and adapt to the level of the speaker’s voice.

“Some speakers have audio built into theirpresentations,” Granek says. “They don’t think about hooking up to an internal system.”

Quick Tips to Managing Audio Solutions

• During a speech, make sure signal bandwidth is controlled for clean sound.
• For tight budgets, cheap solutions like windscreens can help filter extraneous noise.
• Make sure that mics that aren’t in use are turned off for energy conservation.
• Use fresh batteries when possible.
• Have spare batteries handy in case the fresh batteries fail.
• Record guest speakers’ presentations so that any problems can be corrected for the next event.

This article was originally posted in 2015.

The post How to Achieve the Best Audio for Guest Speakers appeared first on My TechDecisions.

The zoo features over 10,000 species of animals, along with a water park, golf course and an array of dining options to play host to more than 2.5 million visitors each year.

According to the Columbus Zoo, various expansion efforts over the years have resulted in a number of audio systems installed by a range of contractors. The zoo was operating inefficiently, with more than 900 unintegrated audio points, low security and minimum levels of control.

A new Dante Domain-managed system was installed to streamline operations.

New System Specs

The new system features:

• over 300 speakers
• 50 amplifiers
• 50 wireless microphones
• 20 digital processors spread out across the nearly 600-acre campus

“The beauty of Dante Domain Manager is that we have a core standard set of systems now that are all controlled and communicate over our existing network infrastructure,” explains Gregg Oosterbaan, VP of technology strategy, Columbus Zoo and Aquarium.

“And because it’s all IP connected, we can continue to add new systems to our Dante system in a clean and simple way.”

Audinate Dante Domain Manager Security Benefits

The Dante Domain Manager is a network management solution that provides user authentication, audit capabilities and security provisions to audio networks.

Audinate says Dante Domain Manager integrates into any Dante-enabled product to provide turnkey interoperability, and the scalable platform also makes digital audio networks more secure.

“We have a strong community that we strive to support,” notes Oosterbaan.

“Whether that’s through public address systems, special events or large corporate outings, keeping our technology and audio systems on the forefront of performance is important. Dante Domain Manager helps us do that.”

The zoo also uses Dante Domain Manager’s IT tools to maintain the security of the system, including any possible system changes.

“Security is extremely important in today’s world,” adds Oosterbaan.

“Regardless of the event or location, with Dante Domain Manager, we can control the streams; [we can] control who as access, and make all of this happen in a clean way.”

The post Audinate Dante Domain Manager Used at Columbus Zoo and Aquarium appeared first on My TechDecisions.

The NBC program, which has averaged 11 million viewers each season and been nominated for People’s Choice, Teen Choice and Kids’ Choice Awards every year since 2011—including winning the 2017 Kids’ Choice Award for Favorite Reality Show—puts a lot of emphasis on great sound.

To stay at the cutting edge of broadcast audio, the show added two DiGiCo SD12 consoles, at the front of house and for monitors.

The latest in DiGiCo’s SD-Series of consoles, which recently became even more powerful with the introduction of Stealth Core2 Software across the series, the SD12 consoles raised the bar even further.

The SD-12 is a multi-application digital console with features including dual 15-inch touchscreens and built-in recording interfaces in a compact form factor.

That, says Jeff Peterson, project manager on America’s Got Talent for ATK Audiotek, the show’s primary AV vendor, was the initial reason the SD12 was selected.

“The audition and elimination round shows are smaller—maybe 50 inputs each—but they’re important for setting the stage for the big live shows,” he explains of the two SD12 consoles, which shared a single SD-Rack during the preliminary performance shows.

“The SD12 was the perfect choice for these events. Its small size means it can work in virtually any size venue, but we’re not sacrificing anything in the way of sound quality or operational performance,” says Peterson.

AGT’s Got SD12 Consoles

Recordings of the auditions and elimination rounds of the show took place sequentially at the Pasadena Civic Center and the Universal Pictures lot in Los Angeles, respectively.

Jason Batuyong, who mixed monitors for the show, says the two SD12 desks were the perfect size for these preliminary venues.

“The form factor was absolutely key for that,” he says. “We knew we weren’t going to need a lot of channels for these events. But what we did appreciate was the SD-Series’ performance and features, which were a huge step up from what we’ve used in the past on the show.”

Batuyong says he also likes the fact that when the show moved to the finals, which are broadcast live, they were able to transition seamlessly from the SD12 work surface to the DiGiCo SD10 consoles.

ATK Audiotek also supplied these desks for those shows, and Peterson notes that the channel count to rose to 112 for the larger production requirements of the finals.

“It’s like having a smaller version of what we’ve been used to on other shows and what we use for the finals,” he says. “I especially like the fact that we’re able to access all of the Stealth Core2 processing capabilities on the consoles. All of the functionality we’re used to in the rest of the SD line is right there, but in a much smaller footprint.”

Mike Parker, the front-of-house mixer for AGT, says that he particularly appreciated the SD12’s dual 15-inch touchscreens.

“It made the user work surface very accommodating and gave us a level of visual feedback similar to the larger SD5 and SD7 with the multiple screens,” he says.

The post DiGiCo SD12 Consoles Used for America’s Got Talent Production appeared first on My TechDecisions.

The Tech Decision

Audio Video Intelligence is familiar with designing and building systems within the fitness space as this was not the first project we worked together on with this team. Our client owns a chain of luxury gym and health clubs with multiple locations across Massachusetts and is continuing to expand. Our relationship with the client started when they had taken over a space that we had already done prior work on. The client accessed our information from the landlord and this began the first project we worked together in which we designed and installed the entire audio/video system within an existing space.

A satisfied customer is a loyal customer. When our client was opening another facility, and this time building from the ground up, they reached out to Audio Video Intelligence again. Now familiar with their vision and being part of the project from the inception, we could design and customize a complete control system including audio/video, climate control, lighting, digital signage and security system. With our cutting edge solutions, we directly contributed to helping our client reach their goal of enhancing their member’s experience and maintaining their satisfaction. Throughout this process, Audio Video Intelligence has built a great relationship with our client and we look forward to working with them as they expand their company and open more fitness facilities.

The Solution

The goal was to create an exciting and interactive controlled audio video system that was inviting for members. The mission was to be able to entertain and entice, while also providing a healthy work-out environment. An essential element to the space was a 200-inch interactive display that connects to a multi-view application that combines digital signage, live feed, and web browsing. Throughout the facility, we brought technology together with a healthy life style and used technology to aid in fitness goals. This includes a CrossFit application that allows members to compete with members at other gyms, a touch screen display for member services, and digital signage throughout the facility to display class schedules. The team asked Audio Video Intelligence to make the environment welcoming to guests as well as easy for employees to be able to use. Control4 was used to connect every device including audio, video, lighting, temperature, fan control and security.

The Impact

Audio Video Intelligence installed a completely automated solution with Control4 as the platform. Control4 automates multiple music streams, video feeds, lighting, temperature, fan control and security within the facility. The music streams can be chosen across 8 audio zones. Each television in the facility has an independent video feed. In the main lobby, there is an ELO touch screen display for member services. A 200-inch screen with a 4K projector is a centerpiece that allows the facility company branding, live broadcasts and class schedules.

Throughout the facility, there are 24 TV’s, 25 speakers that are in-wall and mounted and 4 digital signage players. An Epson 4k Laser projects onto a 200” screen connected to a Skreens solution that allows for company branding, four video inputs and a web browser.

The post Fit Factory Control System appeared first on My TechDecisions.

The post Grand Ole Opry Upgraded with Yamaha RIVAGE Digital Consoles appeared first on My TechDecisions.

Sound Quality

It is imperative to ensure that the quality of sound is top notch. Having muddled or a weak sound is not only annoying to those present, but far worse for remote attendees. Engagement is key to the success of your event, and poor audio quality will largely decrease the amount of people interested. Not only is it important the presenter is heard, but remote attendees and those sitting in the back of the room need to be able to hear audience members when a question is being asked. Ensuring a microphone is available is paramount!

Internet Bandwidth

Internet bandwidth is easily something that gets overlooked; purchasing enough bandwidth to cover the entirety and scale of your event is crucial. Internet bandwidth determines how much data can be transmitted and at what speed. Having shaking or freezing video streams will be frustrating for your live virtual audience. Be sure to check that you are getting what you are paying for and demand time for testing, as you don’t want to be scrambling on the day of.

Types of Cameras

To figure out how many cameras you’ll need, begin by determining which sessions you plan on live streaming. Streaming events need at least one fixed camera, and multiple cameras can be helpful if you have the budget for it, as they allow different angles and shots to be taken, keeping things engaging.

Mobile Friendly

Mobile and tablets are increasingly popular with everyone using them to do all of their tasks. Having scalable streaming capabilities that are available on iOS and Android will make a huge difference in your event. Your remote audience will be able to tune in from wherever they are, and you’ll reach a larger group of people regardless of the device they’re using.

Virtual Audience

It’s easy to forget about those streaming in once your event is up and running. Making sure you engage your virtual audience is very important. Speakers should greet them at the beginning, use their name and where they are from when a question comes in, and remember to look into the camera when speaking, as the speaker will most likely be trained to look only at the local audience.

A mediator or MC is a great way to engage the audience, help them develop some conversation and allow them to feel part of the event, and as latency (delay) of streaming services becomes more immediate, also look to add engagement tools like polling and live Q&A for both your local and virtual audiences.

Following these tips for an effective audio visual presentation will help your event thrive and give your audience something to remember.

The post Tips to Consider for Effective Audio Visual Presentations appeared first on My TechDecisions.