Selecting the right sound contractor to provide the products and services to best fit your school can be a challenging task. Continue reading this article to know what specific questions you should ask yourself, the contractor and key questions the contractor should ask you!

Ask Yourself:

What do we need to accomplish? First, talk to key individuals for input. Don't forget about your custodian who makes the system work for a special event on Tuesday evening. Then answer this question with a list of problems or obstacles to overcome. It's also a good idea to include a list of specific tasks that the sound system needs to fulfill, especially if this is part of a new construction project.

How soon do we need a new operational system? Give yourselves reasonable time to accomplish this task. If there is a specific event motivating the project, you may need a temporary system until the new future one is complete.

Are there future plans to renovate the facility? Changes such as modifying the size and/or shape of a room will alter the acoustics. Such change may mean the sound system would not be appropriate for the facility anymore. It may be possible to design the sound system and its infrastructure to allow for expansion and changes to accommodate future planned architectural changes.

Which individuals in the school are the most qualified to provide information regarding building conditions such as wire conduit pathways and electrical circuit wiring? It's handy to have these people available when a site evaluation is done. If it's a new construction, the names, addresses and phone numbers of the architect, general contractor and electrician are very important.

Who will be responsible for making the decisions involved in this project? It is essential to include these individuals in the initial meetings and discussions.

Does the school have a specific budgetary amount set? Some customers are cautious revealing what funds are available for their project. However, it is important for the sound contractor to know a general amount you expect to pay. This helps the contractor design a system you can afford.

Ask the Contractor:

You've decided to get started! What first? Flip through this newsletter, find our phone number and call us. When you call, ask the following questions:

With whom do I speak to schedule an on-site evaluation of our existing facility and sound system? Be prepared with several dates and times favorable with those from your school who wish to be present at the initial evaluation and meeting.

Would you send us an information packet now so we may review the materials before the on-site evaluation? Ask for the following information:

• Primary markets in which the contractor is active.

• How large a geographic territory the contractor covers.

• Number of employees in the contracting portion of the company.

• Number of years in the contracting business.

• Background, training, education and experience of design engineering staff.

• Process used to determine the loudspeaker selection.

Other questions you may want to ask:

1. What are the specific terms of payment?

2. What type of guarantee applies to the sound system work provided?

3. What type of final system documentation will be supplied? Will a system block diagram be included?

4. What type of training is included with the purchase of a system?

The Contractor Should Ask:

During the on-site evaluation, listen and observe while the contractor asks questions and gathers information.

What are your primary concerns and problems? How responsive is the individual to your input and questions? Beware of the contractor who hastily proclaims the exact solution, especially if a list of equipment is immediately proposed. Sometimes a seemingly minor detail can determine the maximum benefit from a system.

Do you have an accurate inventory list of existing equipment? Oftentimes some of the existing equipment can be used in the new system or transferred to another area of the facility (i.e. the music room).

Do you have a current set of blueprints for the areas of the facility involved? Accurate measurements are extremely important to assure correct design of the loudspeaker coverage. The contractor will need floor plan views with current seating areas. Elevation views are needed to get height measurements. An electrical drawing showing the present audio conduits is also valuable.

What types of events take place in the facility? What types of instruments or sound sources will be reinforced with the system? Evaluating how the sound system will be used is vital to the selection of the best equipment to fit the school needs.

It may be necessary to measure the existing acoustical characteristics of the room, including reverberation time (RT60). Please make certain the facility is empty and quiet for at least an hour while the on-site evaluation is conducted. If the contractor does not   suggest measuring the RT60 of the room (the time it takes sound to fade by 60 dB), be sure to ask how they intend to determine the loudspeaker components necessary to   produce intelligibility (sound clarity). The contractor should also be concerned about flutter echoes or other acoustical anomalies related to hard reflective surfaces.

Will there be events, such as a weekend function, when a "hands-on" sound system operator will not be available? In those situations, how many microphones will be needed? Note whether the contractor asks how you intend to use the system. If the contractor designs a new system that requires an operator and you intend to use the system in a "hands-off" mode on a semi-regular basis, problems will be unavoidable and possibly very disruptive.

A Final Word:

This information is a  guideline for effectively choosing the best contractor for your sound system needs. If a serious effort is made to ask the right questions, your chance of success is greatly improved.