Open Forum

 View Only

  • 1.  Audio equipment for OUTDOOR stage - and transport to indoor stage

    Posted 02-15-2023 10:21

    I'm sorry for the long post, but I'm in need of some guidance.

    I'm a Humanities teacher at a small school - and I've been handed the three plays per year as part of my assignment. We don't have a gym, or an auditorium, but we do have a pretty decent outdoor stage. I've got pipe and drape for it, and I've got decent lights that we can set up. What I don't have is ANY sound equipment. 

    Apparently, what happened in the past is one of our music teachers, who was also a professional musician, brought his sound board, area mics, and speakers, and set them up. But, well, he passed away this fall in an accident, and we have nothing, and no general access to anything. In addition, while we rent the use of another school's theatre for our two musical showcases a year, we are required to provide our own sound board and mics for that as well. 

    I need to go to our board and say "We need X equipment and that means Y dollars" and I have NO idea what X and Y are. I know we need a sound board, I know we need speakers, I know we need at least stand/area mics and probably individual mics with packs. I also know that there's no way we're going to do it all in one year, so I guess my ask is:

    • What kind of sound board should I be looking for that is a) relatively portable and b) can handle a bunch of channels?
    • Are there speakers I can use outside for plays (happy to set up and remove after each show) and if so, any suggestions?
    • Suggestions for stand/area mics that we can use for music/basic plays?
    • Suggestions for mic packs for individual mics? I know these are going to have to be our stretch/long term plan, because they're so expensive, but we can probably acquire them over time. 

      Any and all suggestions gratefully accepted on behalf of my students!



    ------------------------------
    Sarah Lockwood Duggan
    ------------------------------


  • 2.  RE: Audio equipment for OUTDOOR stage - and transport to indoor stage

    Posted 02-16-2023 17:12

    Hi Sarah,

    I've worked with Sweetwater and I highly recommend them. The put together a proposal based on my requirements. It was detailed and was sensitive to what I needed and the final result was exactly as promised. They have professional designers that they work with that know their stuff. They were also wonderful to work with, professional, knowledgeable and they really care. I received a phone call after my production as they wanted to know how it went!

    Here's a link to their website and you can set up a meeting to chat with them if that's an avenue you would like to explore.

    https://www.sweetwater.com/

    Hope this helps,

    Andrea 



    ------------------------------
    Andrea Johnston
    CA
    ------------------------------



  • 3.  RE: Audio equipment for OUTDOOR stage - and transport to indoor stage

    Posted 02-17-2023 11:48

    Hi Sarah:

    I second what Andrea said.  I just worked with them and they were very helpful to get us what we needed. I also didn't always have the correct terms for what I needed but they were very patient with me.  I would ask for an educational representative when you reach out. There are some discounts for schools and they are used to working with purchase orders. 

    Valeri



    ------------------------------
    Valeri Mathews
    California Educational Theatre Association
    CA
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: Audio equipment for OUTDOOR stage - and transport to indoor stage

    Posted 02-17-2023 11:48

    HI Sarah:

    I second what Andrea said about Sweetwater. I have worked with them twice this school year on upgrading our sound equipment.  I didn't always know the proper terms but they were patient with me and got us what we needed. I highly recommend that you ask for a representative that is one of the music education technology specialists. There are some discounts for schools and they are used to working with school purchase orders etc. 

    I sometimes have to move all of our sound equipment as well between sites. I recommend that you ask/invest in road cases for your equipment. It is more money but it protects the equipment and makes life much easier. 

    Valeri



    ------------------------------
    Valeri Mathews
    California Educational Theatre Association
    CA
    ------------------------------



Related Content