Setting up a PA System Part 1

Physical Set-up

- All speakers should be balanced and steady whether on tripods, poles, beer crates or each other. If stacked up, strap them together to improve stability

- Don’t overextend poles/tripods ; ensure at least 4 x the pole diameter is still inside the outer pole

- Make sure the legs have a good splay on tripods, and do not obstruct doorways

- Ensure the top cab is smaller/lighter than bottom if using pole

- Keep lights away from speakers ; heat can cause fires / speaker damage

- Keep smoke/fog machines away from speakers ; the fog fluid gets into the cone and ruins mid and top, plus weakens the cone

- Keep smoke/fog machines away from fan cooled equipment ; the fog fluid reacts with materials in the electronics and again causes damage, and makes any repair more difficult and expensive

- Keep glitter cannons away from electronics also. The small, metallised particles get into circuitry (especially mixer sliders) and cause shorts, in the case of sliders forcing them to be replaced.

- Don’t stand drinks or other fluids anywhere near electronics. Spilled drinks cause serious and potentially dangerous damage to electronic equipment.

- Don’t run cables across doorways ; if you have to, run them above the door.

If you need further information on this topic or are looking for personalised information and quotes on PA systems, click here to contact the professor

Go to Part 2 - Wiring your system