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Sound Systems: Auditoriums
Auditoriums in most schools are multi-purpose by definition. The auditorium may be used for a guest lecturer in the morning, a pepfest after school, and the fall band concert at night. The next week it may be used for a drama or musical. Each of these events puts unique demands on a sound system. For example, during a band concert, the director may need a monitor system to hear a soloist above the rest of the band. A play director may be used to shouting to the cast on stage; but, wouldn't it be wonderful if she/he could speak over a stage announce system? In each of these events, the auditorium's sound system must be flexible and reliable. It should also be easy to operate, since it may be operated by someone who doesn't know a thing about sound. The sound system must provide good intelligibility so the audience can understand. It also needs to have even coverage so the entire audience hears the same sound quality. Easy to provide? With today's technology it is possible to create near perfect coverage. Unfortunately, many auditorium sound systems fall short on several of these qualifications. This article will look briefly into options for your auditorium sound system. Main Sound System The main sound system is what the audience hears. The ideal system should provide enough volume for a pepfest without irritating distortion. Hours later, it must also provide natural reinforcement for the spring drama. Ideally, the system should sound so natural that the audience is unaware a sound system is being used! 
Figure 1 - Large Mixer There are many components to the main system. The microphone mixer provides the control needed to make everything happen. The microphone mixer, as in Figure 1, should have enough inputs to handle the extra needs that a musical requires. The lead actors and actresses may use wireless microphones. It is not uncommon to use three or more wireless microphones. Now add in two or three front stage area microphones. Perhaps there are off-stage effects or chorus microphones. And what about some microphones for the orchestra pit? You will also need inputs for the sound effects. It is not unusual to use 16 to 24 mixer inputs. These needs require a complex microphone mixer along with a skilled operator. But what about those times when a simple system would do? 
Figure 2 - Small Mixer The solution? Have two microphone mixers. One mixer can handle the complex drama or musical events. The other mixer is a simple-to-operate, basic small mixer (Figure 2). It could even be an automatic mixer which turns the microphone on when somebody speaks into it. This type of dual mixer system can provide the best of both worlds. A simple switch is all you need to transfer the sound system from a simple operation into a complex system. Monitor Systems There are other sound systems which are subsystems to the main system. One of these is the monitor system. A monitor system allows the sound operator to send a separate, unique mix to a monitor speaker. These loudspeakers may be permanent and/or portable. The band director will want to hear those instruments along with a particular mix of the other instruments or vocals. There may be cues from the effects tracks that the band director needs to hear. The monitor system gives the ability to provide a listener a completely different mix from the main sound system. Stage Announce System Another subsystem is the stage talkback or stage announce (SA) system. This can be loudspeakers on the stage which allow the sound operator or the director to talk to the performers on stage. That can really save the vocal chords during rehearsal. It also provides faster communication, since it can cut through the noise. Effects System An important system for drama use is the effects sound system. These loudspeakers may be permanent and/or portable. For instance, when the telephone rings it is much more realistic if the sound appears to come from the stage telephone rather than from the overhead or side loudspeakers. On the other hand, you may need a sound effect that should come from the rear of the auditorium. These sounds need to come from the effects system. This system is usually a part of the large main sound system mixer. Backstage System A sound system which the audience does not hear, but may be very important in determining how smoothly the whole show goes, is the backstage system. This system feeds the house sound to the dressing rooms, the green room, and other backstage areas. Now the performers can hear their cues. This system should also allow the show director to call for the scenes to begin or to page a late actor. It is ideal if the director can access the backstage system from the production intercom system. Production Intercom System The production intercom system allows the director to be in constant communication with the lighting director, the spotlight operators, the stage manager, and anybody else that needs to hear cues. Clear communication is the key to having a smooth professional show. Hearing Assistance System The last system is really part of the main system. This is the sound system for the people who have difficulty hearing. The main sound system loudspeakers do not provide the assistance necessary for people who have difficulty hearing to clearly hear and understand the program. Please don't forget this last system &endash; it is vital for them to receive the same enjoyment from your drama or musical. Summary As you can see, the total auditorium sound system is a mixture of many different types of systems. They each have their own particular important function. A lack of one system leaves a hole in the communication system. by Ron Huisinga © 1996 Internet Sound Institute (www.soundinstitute.com). This article is for personal use only. Any commercial reproduction is not permitted without permission. To obtain permission, contact ISI at hopi@soundinstitute.com
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