Multi Purpose

Multi Purpose

Challenges For Audio Systems in Multi-Purpose Conference Rooms- Part 1: Set-up and Storage

The first challenge to jump out in my mind for audio systems in multipurpose conference rooms, and probably for a lot of others, is where to put all the equipment when it's not being used. And if you've ever been in charge of setting up or breaking down equipment for these rooms, the first challenge that might jump out in your mind is, having enough time to set everything up. These challenges are usually dictated by the equipment being used and as such when preparing to buy your A/V equipment a little foresight to these questions will go a long way towards the solution.

For your microphones and speakers (the equipment that will be in the room) we will look at two different options. Option 1 will consist of wired microphones with table stands using parallel cabling to a mixer. From the mixer a stereo channel output will be sent to self powered speakers on tripods. Option 2 will consist of an all-in-one conference system (push-to-talk microphones) with detachable gooseneck microphones and built-in speakers wired in series to a main control unit.

Right away we look at the lengthy set up time for all the cabling in the first option. If this is a small group of five then the time differences are minimal, but when you get to twenty different microphones your time for connecting and dressing the cables has gone up dramatically for option 1 where as in option 2 the microphones just keep daisy chaining with one, maybe two, cable runs back to the control unit. The other difficulty with option 1 is tuning the room to eliminate any feedback while at the same time making sure everyone can hear each other. This takes time and may not be possible with a one man set up. Conversely, the all in one conference system has an automatic mix-minus built in so that without any additional setup time feedback will be eliminated and everyone will be able to hear each other because each participant will have a speaker right in front of them.

An alternative to options 1 and 2 is using a completely wireless conference system. Using the latest technology in conferencing, a wireless system offers the fastest setup time and the most optimal solution for portability. The latest wireless systems are equipped with the same features as a wired system which provides an excellent solution for audio systems in multi-purpose conference rooms.

There are also differences in storage between these options. Depending on your specific availability for storage of the A/V equipment the differences may be moot, but option 2 requires far less cabling and because the microphones and speakers are all built in, the mic stands and self-powered speakers are not needed either. With less equipment in option 2 the physical space required to store them is lessened as well.

Overall, option 2 provides a faster set up time with generally easier storage. The other benefit is that the system is highly portable. Whether you are changing rooms in the building or going off-site, using a daisy-chained conferencing system will give you the versatility and the efficiency to run your meetings when you want and how you want.

About the Author

Wesley Sutliff is Product Manager of Media Vision USA, the
Diplomacy Technology Solution
provider in North America including audio conferencing, electronic voting, and
simultaneous interpretation
solutions for council chambers, courtrooms, boardrooms, and videoconferencing applications

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