Venue sound system recommendation

To many ads? Support ODJT and see no ads!
rickryan.com

rickryan.com

DJ Extraordinaire
ODJT Supporter
Dec 9, 2009
19,249
17,345
59
Hendersonville, TN
www.rickryan.com
One of the venues we work with called me yesterday and said they needed help with a recommendation of what they need to buy for their dining hall. We work at this venue several times per year and they do have the tendency towards wanting to put in their own equipment (which the DJ normally provides). Receptions/dancing are done in a basement and I doubt highly that they're looking to do that kind of a system. What she's asked for help with is an upstairs room, where they do dinner/food. They have a cobbled together little system and crappy wireless and I think the basic problem is they need a decent sound system with a reliable wireless unit. While I don't want to give away the farm, we're on really good terms with these folks and it would be nice to not have to setup a dinner rig. I don't think it would cause prospects to start dinging me for discounts. I'm suppose to meet with them at 5:30p.

The current system is in a little storage area, at the center-edge of the room. I'm thinking to just drop in a powered mixer box and hang a couple of passive 12s. For wireless, I'm thinking a single-channel, Shure hand-held. I know, it's not GTD but this is THEIR money I'm spending instead of mine. If I can find a powered mixer box with mic built-in (that actually works), all the better.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Ausumm
If it's just for dinner music they wouldn't need anything fancy. Bose bookshelf speakers or JBL/Yamaha indoor bookshelf speakers would do the trick. I don't know the models, but typically that style seemed to be the most popular for venue installation in this fashion. If they want to be fancy, maybe a pair or 4 or the FBT J5 speakers. Those get loud and sound real nice for 5 inch speakers!

If you are going with a amp/mixer, and 2 passive speakers, I would recommend a pair of Yamaha CBR12s Yamaha CBR10 10" Speaker Pair | eBay - (https://www.ebay.com/itm/Yamaha-CBR10-10-Speaker-Pair/132739380638?epid=1745444768&hash=item1ee7e2359e)

The same as the DBR10, but passive versions.

I would go with a Wireless Shure, or Sinheiser for a micrphone to use in that room. Give them something mainstream, and nice
 
  • Like
Reactions: DJ Bobcat
Did you submit a proposal or indicate to them what you compensation expect for the consulting work they request?
 
DJ Ricky B said:
If it's just for dinner music they wouldn't need anything fancy. Bose bookshelf speakers or JBL/Yamaha indoor bookshelf speakers would do the trick. I don't know the models, but typically that style seemed to be the most popular for venue installation in this fashion. If they want to be fancy, maybe a pair or 4 or the FBT J5 speakers. Those get loud and sound real nice for 5 inch speakers!

If you are going with a amp/mixer, and 2 passive speakers, I would recommend a pair of Yamaha CBR12s Yamaha CBR10 10" Speaker Pair | eBay - (https://www.ebay.com/itm/Yamaha-CBR10-10-Speaker-Pair/132739380638?epid=1745444768&hash=item1ee7e2359e)

The same as the DBR10, but passive versions.

I would go with a Wireless Shure, or Sinheiser for a micrphone to use in that room. Give them something mainstream, and nice
Click to expand...

The rig is primarily just for dinner music but it also needs to have enough power for speeches/toasts. The way the room is situated, I think they're going to need 2 speakers, pointing in 2 directions for coverage.
 
BTW, here's the only pic I could find of the space.
Lighthouse.png

That's a door, behind the flower arrangement on the right-side. It's about a 10X10 room where they store chairs, linens, etc. and is where they have their current sound system. I'm thinking to drop the amp/mixer/wireless inside that room and mount the speaker up high, on the corners of the wall that juts out.
 
rickryan.com said:
The rig is primarily just for dinner music but it also needs to have enough power for speeches/toasts. The way the room is situated, I think they're going to need 2 speakers, pointing in 2 directions for coverage.
Click to expand...

How big is the room?

There is a venue here that uses 4 Bose bookshelf speakers. Models that are probably from the mid 2000s. They get plenty loud for room for cocktail and dinner music, and the microphone works sufficiently on them. The room is not that large though. Maybe 40x24 with a stair case going to the 2nd floor, and a high ceiling probably 20 feet high. Music can get loud enough for dancing, but lacks bass so can't really be used for that.

I remember a venue that closed up about 10 years ago had 3 Old Community 15 inch speakers in it hooked to an old big amplifier and mixer from the 80s. The speakers were positioned into the walls about 12 feet high, 1 in each corner, and 1 in the middle. A DJ could just plug into their sound system if they wanted to. I preferred not to though because their sound system just sounded old, and I preferred the main sound to be on the dance floor so I would set up my own speakers whenever I did a gig there.
 
DJ Ricky B said:
How big is the room?

There is a venue here that uses 4 Bose bookshelf speakers. Models that are probably from the mid 2000s. They get plenty loud for room for cocktail and dinner music, and the microphone works sufficiently on them. The room is not that large though. Maybe 40x24 with a stair case going to the 2nd floor, and a high ceiling probably 20 feet high. Music can get loud enough for dancing, but lacks bass so can't really be used for that.

I remember a venue that closed up about 10 years ago had 3 Old Community 15 inch speakers in it hooked to an old big amplifier and mixer from the 80s. The speakers were positioned into the walls about 12 feet high, 1 in each corner, and 1 in the middle. A DJ could just plug into their sound system if they wanted to. I preferred not to though because their sound system just sounded old, and I preferred the main sound to be on the dance floor so I would set up my own speakers whenever I did a gig there.
Click to expand...

125-150 people. If I suggest a Bose, I don't think they'll look too highly on my recommendation. I like the systems, but I don't think that's what they're wanting. I think a pair of speakers will cover the room just fine and be easy to operate.
 
Use previous gen QSC K tops hung from the ceiling. They have remote volume control capability using a simple 3 conductor cable and a cheap pot.
 
  • Like
Reactions: ittigger, DJ Bobcat and dunlopj
I would ask first how much are they looking to spend on this and go from there. Once you have that then decide what would be best for that room and the people who will be in the room. Especially since you've worked in this place many times before.
 
Met with the owner. I didn't even know it but she has sound systems, both upstairs and downstairs. Her biggest problem is wireless mics. The receivers are both in enclosed rooms with steel doors (one is cinder block and the other is drywall) and she doesn't use fresh batteries on each gig. They prefer to have a DJ supply sound but they need enough of a system that cheap brides can use it. The upstairs, a pretty decent yamaha portable setup. I'm just going to recommend dropping a new wireless mic and mounting the receiver outside the little room so it's got a clear shot to the mic. On the downstairs, it's a piece of crap. Pyle power amp, el-cheapo behringer mixer and some no-name, crap speaker like you'd use in a restaurant for muzak. I'm going to recommend another small mixer/passive combo, add new mics and get it out of that cinder block room. I'm not going to recommend enough rig that clients will start dinging the DJ but enough that they can use the mics without having interference issues. She seemed to appreciate what I am doing for her and she promised to send more biz my way. We'll see how that works out.

It actually ended up being a good chat and I pumped her for a lot of info regarding venues in the area. She told me she was renewing her real estate license and was going to be listing this property, sounded like in the next couple of months. I asked her, "How much?" and it kind of rattled for a bit but I pressed her and she said "2 million". The property is right on the lake and she might get it but no way do I see that as a good investment. You'd be hard-pressed just to pay the mortgage. They're getting $3850 for venue rental and $2400 for food (they don't allow outside catering). This also reaffirms that I can get $6k, easily, with my all-inclusive concept. In addition, she filled me in on the scuttle from several other venues, 3 of them selling out. That only leaves the country club and this place left in my town (and she's selling out).
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Dan The Man and dunlopj
I'd avoid getting involved in the scenarios you present unless the established venue owners were serious about solutions and the market showed more demand for your proposed venue.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Jeff Romard
I've done this for halls that approach me. You can actually consult to your advantage.
-I'll typically recommend in ceiling speakers or many small speakers for reinforcement rather than the hall getting a PA (translation: it enhances you rather than takes your place). If they get a PA, I generally tell them to go QSC.
-If they listen to me and get in-ceiling or small speakers, I then talk to them about running XLR or similar so I can wire in. This is actually a good selling point since you "know the system"
-Regardless of if they go big or small, I then normally make up a coupon with their name on it and a "specialized package" based on their exact need. If they have a PA or whatever, I'll take $50 off for not having to 'set up' my own gear (I still bring it in case theirs does not work)
-Typically, I don't ask directly for compensation, however, I normally become a "Preferred Vendor", as I am the one who knows the system and can troubleshoot it etc. They also have my branding on promotional materials. Basically this is a knowledge is power type position - I am quite clear I will not answer questions for, or support other sound companies who want to 'tap in'.
-The consulting piece I normally do for free just to get face-to-face time with them (there's value in them wanting to work with you and have you out - and it doesn't cost me anything like taking them to lunch would). I will order stuff for them as well (if they want me to go shopping for them that costs - sometimes I'll charge hourly, sometimes by component at that point).
-I haven't lost any wedding business to my knowledge over this. Typically, people who are using this are just having a graduation party, doing bingo or whatever.
-I do market these. I'll walk your hall, discuss best practices for my setup and evaluate any in house systems you have. I actually just scheduled one today with a hall that is opening in a few months.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top Bottom
Back