The Sound System
As in other design areas, mastering the art of conference and events sound involves technology and technical understanding of PA Systems. The functions of various pieces of equipment and hot they interelate is of primary importance to the sound designer and technical producer.
Sound plays several different roles in the venue and the requirements of sound system vary with each event.
The reinforcement system comprises microphones, a mixer, amplifiers and speakers with most systems having in-line signal processing that is located between the mixer and the amplifier.
The playback system is used to create music and effects during a production.
CD players, hard drives, ipods are used to create music and effects during and event, whereby as opening for the event or closing or during intermission or comfort breaks.
Thy system may also need additional processing or control equipment and requires speakers of different types and voltages in different locations from those best suited for reinforcement.
The recording system adds input sources such as mp3 recorders, direct to CD recorders and Computer Drives. In addition specialised remote recording and live broadcoasting equipment is also used.
The type of microphones used for recording will differ from from those of the reinforcement system and there is less need for multiple amplifiers and speakers.
Ultimately the most effective PA systems for events are systems that are equally distributed, thus creating a balanced system in the entire venue, not sound that is too loud in the front and much softer at the back. Balanced systems will require multiple amplifiers and speakers. The speakers would have to be flown from underneath the ceiling and distributed equally along the walls. This system will require and expert technician to ensure that only one sound is heard and n0t multiples sounds, this requires various digital delay equipment. Even though many systems claim to be automated and expert engineer is still required to fine tune the system. It is a complex system and professional companies are required to ensure the delegates or guests have a good listening experience and the message is put forward effectively.
Physical Form
The various types of venues ofter determine in a general way their physical form. The size of a venue for most event productions is, with their presentational style and scale, is the opposite of the needs of most conferences and meetings which tend to require different seating positions. Thus the square room with white walls and white ceilings are the most easiest to work with. Like a blank canvas ready to be painted, event producers are able to work freely with lights and drapes to create the ideal logistic settings required for an event.
Like the innovations in venues form, many new venues contain either variations of the conventional shape or are completely different in form, while a few convention venues are completely different in form, while a few try to combine the blank canvas and the conventional type of venue where the form and shape is already predetermined.
Many Conference and Convention Venues in London are primarily designed for multi purpose use. Prompted by the desire to bring the audience closer to the speaker and to enable more interaction within the delgates, the variotions either partially or completely surround the area of focus with seating areas. The trend toward thrust and arena venues presents many different challenges to the event manager and venue designer.
Theatre Design
Although design in the theatre may branch off into various areas of specialisation. it primarily materializes in three basic forms: first, as an envromental background, or scenery, then as costumes for the actor within the setting, and finally, unifying all, as stage lighting.
The paths leading to a career designing in the theatre are numerous and varies. They may come from within the theatre itself or from the outside world. An actor or director gifter with a visual sense of theatre can contribute to design just as surely as can the trained visual artist who, equipped with the practical ability to draw and paint, possesses a strong desire to be in the theatre. A student from the latter background standing on the threshold of training for a career in design for the theatre may puzzle over what the future holds. The sudden transition flush of excitement involving one’s first commitment to hard work. Anyone interested in achieving creative and personal fulfillment as a scene, costume or lighting designer must first thoroughly understand the complexity of theatre as an art form.
