An Educator’s Guide to Professional Audio Solutions
By: By Jerry N. Horn

“What did she say?” “Teacher, I can’t hear you---Jeffrey was talking.” Are these familiar words at your school? Is the creative learning environment in your school less than desired? It doesn’t have to be this way. Thanks to today’s advanced technology, a myriad of audio solutions exist that can help build better communication channels in the school, all the while creating a superior learning experience for your students. Amazingly, most of these solutions are very affordable; no matter the size of your budget.

Solution #1: Classroom Sound
Consider the classroom—one teacher plus a roomful of students. Back in the days of “reading, writing and arithmetic,” it could be expected that students would sit quietly at their desks listening with rapt attention to the teacher. Sadly, such is the case no more, as a multiplicity of distractions has invaded the typical modern classroom. Computers whirr and chirp incessantly, and projector fans hum. Add to that the din of small group conversations—plus the intrusive noise created by passing cars and planes—and you have the recipe for poor classroom behavior.

Numerous studies over the past several years confirm that ambient room noise and poor acoustics can contribute to decreased levels of learning. Initially, these studies focused on special needs children, but more recent research has shown that even children with normal hearing can benefit from some form of sound amplification in the classroom. That is why many teachers have openly welcomed the use of small personal public address systems in their classrooms.

Currently, there are many good, reasonably priced systems that are ideal for classroom use. The most versatile are those that employ a wireless microphone. Wireless systems operate as miniature radio stations and utilize a transmitter and a receiver. Typically, the receiver is a small box about the size of a large textbook. The receiver case houses a small loudspeaker. Volume controls on the receiver let the user set comfortable levels as needed. The transmitter is the size of a deck of cards, and it can be either clipped to a belt or slipped into a pocket. The microphone is connected by a thin wire to the transmitter. The user has complete freedom of movement anywhere in the room.

Designed for ease of use, these personal systems generally utilize a built-in rechargeable battery to power the receiver unit, which is best placed somewhere in the front of the room on top of a desk or filing cabinet, out of harm’s way. The small transmitter unit uses either 9V or AA batteries, depending on the design. A small battery charger and rechargeable batteries can be obtained for use with these systems, thus allowing the teacher to use one set of batteries while recharging a second set. Most receivers charge overnight and will hold a charge for up to eight hours of continuous use.

Microphones used with these personal systems can take several forms. The most convenient are the head-worn or neck-worn variety. These unobtrusive designs slip over the ear or behind the neck, allowing the use of both hands. Handheld microphones are another option with these systems, but they provide less freedom of movement. Wireless handheld microphones have the transmitter built in to the microphone body.

While most personal PA systems require that the speaker/amplifier be placed toward the front of the room, there is one unique system that takes a different approach. With this design, the entire system is worn by the teacher. The amplifier and a small speaker are contained in a pouch that is worn at the front of the waist. The headset or neck-worn microphone is connected by cable to the belt pack amplifier. As the teacher walks about the room, her voice is amplified and projected in the direction to which she is speaking. The amplifier is powered by an environmentally friendly, high-capacity Nickel Metal-Hydride (NiMH) rechargeable power system that can provide up to 14 hours of continuous use and can be recharged overnight.

Expect to pay between $170 and $330 for one of these individualized systems. One word of advice, however, when selecting wireless systems. Determine if other wireless systems will be used in the vicinity of a particular classroom. If so, find out what frequencies are being used and give that information to the company from whom you are buying. Two systems cannot operate independently if they use the same frequency or you will get cross talk on both receivers. In other words, two transmitters operating on identical frequencies will both be picked up by the corresponding receivers, and you will end up with two teachers giving separate lesson plans on the same system. In the event that you are unable to workaround this situation, you might want to consider using the pouch system described above or going to a wired system.
 
Solution #2: “Pack and Go” Audio
At its most basic level, a sound system consists of a loudspeaker, a microphone and an amplifier. Until recently, even the most basic sound system was not easily transported from one location to another. Speaker cabinets were bulky and hard to carry. Amplifiers were heavy. In addition, every component had to be moved individually. Fortunately, manufacturers of professional audio equipment saw the need for simplified systems with “pack and go” convenience, and educators now have a vast selection of portable systems from which to choose.

The foremost aspect of a “pack and go” system is its versatility. Designed for quick set-up and easy tear-down, a portable sound system is equally at home in the cafeteria, the gymnasium, or outdoors at a track meet. Attendees at PTA meetings, school assemblies, athletic events and more benefit from the quality sound reinforcement and mixing capabilities of these innovative systems. Portable systems of this nature are extremely user-friendly, making them a perfect choice for use at school.

By “pack and go,” we mean that the entire system is completely self-contained. The best designs in this category include a central power amplifier unit with a built-in mixing console, one or more wired microphones, and two speaker cabinets. The entire assembly fastens together into a suitcase-like shape that is complete with a carrying handle. Necessary speaker cables are also included. The microphones and cables store within a compartment on the back of the mixer/amp, and the speaker cabinets latch onto either side of the mixer/amp.

Setting up one of these systems is a simple three step process:

1. Unlatch speakers and place on optional speaker stands or at an optimal height in front of your audience. (Be sure to place them in front of your microphones or you risk creating the all-too-familiar squeal known as feedback.)

2. Connect speaker cables to the loudspeakers and the outputs on the mixer/amplifier. Run A/C power or battery power to the mixer/amplifier.

3. Connect microphone cables to the desired mixer channels.

Usually, the entire process takes less than five minutes. When you are ready to take it down, the process is just as simple. Since everything stores in the main unit, there is less risk of misplacing components.

Some manufacturers include built-in wheels and pull-out handles as part of the design. Others have available luggage-style rolling carts. Overall weight is dependent upon the size of the system. These truly portable systems come in a wide range of sizes. The largest are capable of providing sound reinforcement for audiences numbering in the hundreds. The outer shell of the cabinets is made of durable, high-impact plastic.

A 250-watt system, which gives you plenty of power for audiences of 300 to 500 people, is very reasonably priced around $850. Average prices range between $400 and $900.

Solution #3: Installed Systems
If you have an athletic field, a theater or other large auditorium on your campus, then you probably own some type of permanently installed sound system. With the advent of professional sports arenas and enhanced college football stadiums, parents, students and educators expect more from their own facilities.

Thanks to today’s advancements in audio technology and materials, it is possible to create a stadium sound system that rivals the “big boys” but costs thousands less. For example, a complete system that provides coverage for both sides of a football field can be configured for less than $9,000. And that is not a stripped down system. It includes special long-throw stadium speakers designed for outdoor use, two power amplifiers, a 12-channel rack mixer, processing equipment, a CD/cassette combo deck for music, two paging microphones for play-by-play announcing, a wireless handheld mic for use on the field, plus speaker wire and more. For smaller athletic fields, like softball diamonds or track fields, a professional quality system can be configured for as little as $2,400.

Stadium systems are considered 70-volt systems. This allows the speaker wires to be strung over great distances without a loss in signal strength. Office paging systems that have speakers mounted in rooms throughout the campus are another example of a 70-volt system.

For theaters and auditoriums, permanently installed systems are your best option. In such rooms, acoustics, aesthetics and many other factors need to be considered when selecting audio equipment. 

With the vast selection of equipment that is being made today, it is advisable to seek out a supplier who has firsthand knowledge of the audio industry as it applies to the educational community. The Internet is a great tool for researching products and companies, but don’t use it strictly for price shopping. When you research companies, look for phone numbers and a physical address. If they don’t have both, then avoid them.

An experienced provider of audio solutions is a company that is willing to ask you questions and offer useful advice based on your needs and budget constraints. After all, you want what is best for your students. Be sure to involve a professional A/V supplier when making important decisions about your audio equipment needs.

Jerry Horn is the marketing manager for All Pro Sound, an A/V solutions provider located in Pensacola, Florida.