Expert Series 2: Audio Control Freak
It might sound odd, but there’s more to audio than just making noise. In other words, it isn’t just about the output of sound from any old connected input. Perhaps you’ve run into this scenario before—you need to update your space with a new audio system, but the potential A/V company is only trying to sell you on a specific brand or type of speaker system. While there are many brands that provide decent audio in a controlled environment, great (and truly creative) audio design is about looking at the full picture. That means considering the room, acoustics, types of microphones, audio processors, amplifiers, wiring, and yes, picking the right speakers. AVG also thinks that there is even more to it than that. When it comes to audio, we love to be in control. Actually, we’re quite control freaks!
How The Room Impacts Audio
While not everyone has the budget to control the acoustics of their room, analyzing how a space is going to perform using a specific type of speakers is a huge consideration. That’s why AVG works to acoustically model every room we work on, so that we get a better idea of how a specific set of speakers will work in their given environment. Using old fashioned math and some creative computer modeling programs, we look at how the room will respond to the speaker system we’re considering and how the speakers will cover the room. Our goal is to make the room as even as possible when it comes to SPL (sound pressure level), or volume. We also like to see if there is anything we can do to control the acoustics of the space, using acoustical paneling or other material designed to help improve the reverberation of the space. Control here is critical to providing a great listening environment.
How Speakers Impact Audio
Choosing the right speaker for the room is like picking the right engine for a race car. It’s critical to the proper design of the room. Understanding how the speaker’s individual components output audio is also essential. Sure, the speaker should sound great, but the coverage pattern and knowledge about how the components are designed is crucial to the execution of great audio design. But selecting the right speaker isn’t the only part of developing a cohesive sound system. Picking the right speaker is only half the battle, as picking the right amplifier is key. Not all amplifiers are created equal, and matching the right amplifier to the right speaker is where we come in. Utilizing years of knowledge and industry expertise, we pride ourselves on our ability to help design the right speaker system.
How Microphones, DSPs, and Mixers Impact Audio
It goes without saying, but you can have the best speakers in the world, but if you don’t have the rest of the system components the system won’t be as good as it should be. Quality comes from having the right components—microphones, digital signal processors, and mixing consoles. We like the race car analogy. You can have a great engine, but if you don’t have the right tires, exhaust, or steering, you’ll never win a race. Audio is a lot like that. It takes a well-thought-out system of components that complement each other to develop a cohesive system.
As you can see, audio is more complicated than it may seem on the surface. So, it’s important to work with an expert who understands the intricacies of audio and can get you the control you need. Let us help you put the puzzle of great audio design together!
If you missed part one of our expert series, check it out here! And stay tuned for part three, where we dive into another key aspect of the industry: video!