How to choose the best PA system for your event

Meridian PA System- a very good, durable workhorse for small to medium-sized venues

Although all PA systems have the same ultimate aim – to allow an audience to clearly hear a performer or event – PA systems and the equipment used therein can vary significantly depending on a number of factors. This guide will discuss how PA systems can differ depending on various event factors and how to decide on the most appropriate sound system for your particular event.

PA systems have a number of components such as speakers, amplifiers, and mixing consoles that are common irrespective of the type of event but it is the variety and configuration of the equipment used that makes a PA system suitable for a particular event type.

Live music events

When organising your event consider the size of the event venue, the maximum number of people you expect to attend and how they will be positioned in the venue (e.g. standing, seated in rows, seated around tables) as these factors dictate the size of the system you require. For smaller events a system that is just used to amplify vocals may be sufficient with any backline amplifiers and drum kits able to produce sufficient volume themselves.

For larger events though a multiple cabinet system may be required as the instrumentation and drum kits may require additional amplification to produce sufficient volume for the greater audience size.

As a result the PA system must be able to effectively cater for a wider and highly dynamic range of audio frequencies. In more simple language this means the PA system should be able to deal with low sounds like drums and bass guitars as well as mid and high sounds like guitars, percussion and vocals. Putting low frequency sounds such as those produced by kick drums or bass guitars through mid-range speakers can potentially damage the speaker cones and as such the system should include a selection of speakers designed to cater for a wide range of frequencies including sub-woofers which produce low frequency sounds, mid-range speakers which produce frequencies in the mid-range of the human hearing spectrum and tweeters or horns which reproduce high frequency sounds. When using speakers that produce a different range of frequencies a piece of equipment known as a crossover will also be required to separate the final mix from the mixing console into the necessary frequency range.

A suitable mixing console will have a sufficient number of channels to cater for all the inputs you require including both vocal and instrument microphones and any DIs you may have such as keyboards. The auxiliary outputs of each channel on a mixing console are channelled to the on-stage monitor speakers. As such decide how many monitor mixes you require before choosing the best mixing console to suit your requirements. You may also require the mixing desk to have built in effects or alternatively a separate effects unit may be preferred.

DJ Events

A similar multi-cabinet speaker system to a live music event is required for DJs or discos as the reproduction of the bass frequencies is very important. A multiple channel mixing console may not be required as the majority of professional standard DJ mixers have XLR outputs which can be connected directly to the crossover unit or amplifiers.

Conference events

A public address system for a conference or similar event should have a very different effect than that for a live music event. A conference PA system will ideally relay the speakers voice with clarity and precision but should also sound very natural emphasising speech only as much as is necessary. As such it is recommended that multiple small, mid-range speakers be positioned around the venue rather than having two stacks of cabinets at the front as would be the case at a live music event. Consider how many microphones will be in use at your event and if you require auxiliary feeds to on-stage monitors before deciding on the most appropriate mixing console.

Before deciding on the best system for your requirements discuss how you intend to use the system with a professional audio supplier as well as doing independent research on the various PA system components. In this way you will ensure that the very best sound is relayed to your audience.