Selecting the right sound contractor to provide the products and services to best fit the needs of your church 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 Tuesday funeral. Then answer this question by making a list of problems or obstacles to overcome. It's also a good idea to include a list of specific tasks 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 the platform, choir areas or expanding the seating area alter the acoustics of a building. Such change may mean the system would not be appropriate for the facility anymore.

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

Meetings

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.

Do most people in the church consider a new sound system to be a high priority? Determining this may save considerable time and effort for everyone.

Budget

Do we need to establish a budget or does a specific budgetary amount already exist? Some customers are cautious about 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? Find our phone number to the right of this article and call us. When you call, use the following questions:

Check calendars

With whom do I speak to schedule an on-site evaluation of our existing facility and sound system? Be prepared with several possible dates and times favorable with those from the church 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? Make certain to ask for information on the following:

THE CONTRACTOR SHOULD ASK:

During an on-site evaluation, listen and observe while the contractor asks questions and gathers information. Here are some things every contractor should ask:

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 fellowship hall).

Blueprints

Do you have a current, accurate 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 conduit is also valuable.

Services

What different types of services or events take place in this facility? What types of instruments or sound sources will be reinforced with the system? A very specific analysis of the intended use of the system is vital in determining what types of loudspeaker components, electronics, microphones and other accessories will best fit the church needs.

It may be necessary to measure the existing acoustical characteristics of the room, including reverberation time or 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 them how they intend to determine the loudspeaker components necessary to produce intelligibility (sound clarity). The contractor should also be concerned about any flutter echoes or other acoustical anomalies related to hard reflective surfaces.

Weekday funeral

Will there be services or events, such as weekday funerals, 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 about 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 intended as 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.