PA System Setup Part 1
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.
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