AV, or audio/visual equipment, has a lot of variety. There are dozens of brands to consider and hundreds of individual products, and after you’ve selected your favorites you need to figure out how to make everything work together and produce something worth sharing with others. 

Whether you’re hosting a big event, streaming video to fans, recording a stage play, or anything else that needs AV equipment, it’s important to consider everything you need before you begin.

In this article, we’ll discuss the different types of audio/visual equipment you need for your event.

Audio Equipment

Audio equipment is essential for any event, whether it’s a concert, lecture, or presentation. For smaller events, a basic sound system with one or two microphones and a pair of speakers will do the trick. But if you’re looking to add more sound elements, such as additional mics or a DJ setup, then you’ll need to invest in more robust audio equipment.

Human ears can automatically compensate for a lot of background noises, but microphones aren’t as selective. Your microphones need to be pointed in the right direction to hear the people speaking instead of some other part of the room, they need to be sensitive enough to pick up the right audio and selective enough to ignore background noises, and you need windscreens and pop filters so the mic doesn’t pick up blowing wind or breathing sounds. You also need to be careful about where you put the microphone to avoid people tapping it or the stand it’s on.

Preventing Feedback

One of the best ways to avoid audio feedback is by going ahead and switching off the microphone before you even turn on your audio system.

Furthermore, you should ensure that the microphone input volume is turned down to its absolute lowest level. After you’ve turned on the system, you can gradually increase the microphone volume. However, you’ll need to experiment with the volume controls for a while before you’re able to determine the best microphone volume level for your designated audio system. While adjusting the volume, make sure to reduce the volume a little bit whenever the piercing noise appears.

Video Equipment

Visual equipment is just as important for any event and can range from simple projectors and screens to high-end video cameras and monitors. For most events, a basic setup with a projector, screen, and laptop is enough to show videos and other visuals. But if you’re looking to add more visual elements, such as high-definition video cameras or monitors for live streaming, then you’ll need to invest in more advanced AV equipment.

Cameras come in a lot of sizes and quality levels. Most new cameras can record in HD, but high-quality models can record in 4k quality and come with extra features like zooming, rack focusing, slow-motion recording, autofocus, and more. Just as important is the stand you use to hold the camera. A basic stand can hold a camera in place so the footage doesn’t look jittery, but you can also get stands that let you take panoramic shots and sliders for tracking shots. You can also get a drone with a camera to take aerial shots.

Lighting Equipment

Human eyes can see in a lot of different lighting conditions, but cameras are much less versatile. You can buy an expensive camera that can capture footage even in low-light conditions, but you can also improve the lighting by getting a lot of lamps and spotlights. However, you’ll also need gels to create colored lighting, umbrellas, and screens that can scatter the light so it doesn’t all come from a single harsh source, and floodlights if you want to film a large area outdoors.

Editing Equipment

Once you have the footage you want, you still need to edit and process the video before you upload it. Many modern cameras make this easier by encoding video automatically, but that still leaves plenty of editing work for you to do. Even if you only want to stream an event live, you still need to set up your streaming software and put it through a few tests to make sure everything is working correctly.

Choosing AV Equipment

How To Choose a Digital Projector

When selecting the ideal projector for your needs, start by answering these 3 simple questions:

How many people will be attending?

This assists with determining the size of the projected image required for everyone to view the presentation without a problem. As the number of event attendees increases, the image must also increase in size. As the image expands, the light that’s projected is spread out across a greater area. This reduces the brightness of the projector.

How much ambient light will there be?

A dark room provides the best image regardless of what the projector’s brightness happens to be. However, most presentations require at least some lighting for eye contact, note-taking, and audience interaction. 

What are you using it for?

The kind of material you present will determine the appropriate native resolution for your projector:

  • SVGA resolution projectors  (800×600) are ideal for displaying large text and/or less detailed images.
  • XGA resolution projectors  (1024×768) are the most common and work well with most PCs and DVD players. They’re ideal for displaying detailed PowerPoint slides, normal-sized fonts, and high-quality pictures and videos.
  • SXGA (1280×1024) and SXGA+ (1400×1050) resolution projectors are best for displaying digital photography, engineering drawings, HD applications, or other highly detailed or technical images.

The Importance of Audio/Visual Expertise

Selecting the right AV equipment is just the beginning. To ensure that your event runs smoothly and looks professional, you need to understand how to set up and operate the equipment correctly. Even the best gear can produce subpar results if it’s not used properly. That’s why having an experienced team or individual who knows the ins and outs of AV technology is invaluable. They can troubleshoot potential issues before they become problems and adjust on the fly to ensure everything goes off without a hitch.

Troubleshooting Common AV Issues

Even with the best preparation, AV issues can still arise during an event. Common problems include audio feedback, microphone interference, poor lighting, and video lag during live streams. Knowing how to quickly troubleshoot these issues is crucial. For instance, if you experience feedback, repositioning microphones and adjusting their sensitivity can help. If your video feed is lagging, checking your internet connection and reducing the streaming quality might resolve the issue.

It’s also essential to do a full run-through before the actual event. This practice allows you to identify any potential problems with your AV setup and gives you time to correct them. By doing so, you can ensure a seamless experience for your audience.

Why Professional AV Services Might Be the Best Choice

Given the complexity of AV setups and the importance of a flawless execution, many people find that hiring professional AV services is the best way to go. Professionals bring expertise and high-quality equipment to the table, ensuring that every aspect of your event’s audio and visual components is handled with care. They can provide advice on the best equipment for your specific needs, set everything up for optimal performance, and manage the entire process so you can focus on other aspects of your event.

Conclusion: Making the Right Choice for Your Event

Whether you’re planning a small gathering or a large-scale production, the quality of your AV equipment and its proper usage can make or break the experience. From selecting the right microphones and cameras to ensuring proper lighting and editing, every detail counts. While it’s possible to handle these tasks on your own, enlisting the help of professionals can save you time, reduce stress, and guarantee that your event looks and sounds as good as possible.

If you’re ready to take your event to the next level, don’t hesitate to reach out to AV specialists who can help you achieve your vision. With the right team by your side, your event will not only meet but exceed your audience’s expectations. So, whether you’re looking to host a conference, stream a live event, or record a special occasion, investing in the right AV equipment and expertise is the key to success.

Setting up a video stream or creating edited videos is a lot of hard work, and you need a lot of equipment if you want to do the job right. That’s why many individuals and organizations ask AV specialists like Montrose Associates to take care of the details and use their professional-grade equipment to record their events and live streams. So if you need a hand with an official recording, contact us today.