PA Systems for a Wedding or PartyA complete PA System is often required for a number of uses at weddings, parties, or other private functions. For further information specific to weddings, see the section on Wedding PA Hire. The table below sets out the equipment often required at social events for a few of the most common applications (identified by column headings). At the head of each column you can link to the system we recommend for that application. You can also use the embedded links in each of the ticks or question-marks to find more detailed information further down the page about why an item is included (or may be needed), and whether it can be left out.
Speeches or AnnouncementsMicrophone(s). You will need at least one microphone. Although it doesn't have to be a radio microphone (aka wireless microphone), wired microphones are obviously less easy to relocate if they need to be moved, and pose the problem of what to do with the trailing cable (and the potential trip hazard). For that reason, radio microphones are more commonly used in this setting. Our Announcement System includes one radio microphone and receiver, which can easily be passed from one person to another if more than one person will be speaking during the event. However, you may want to consider hiring one or more extra microphones if several people need to speak who will not be sitting or standing near each other, or where dialogue is involved (during the wedding ceremony, for example). In some settings - such as the wedding ceremony - lapel microphones may be preferable to the hand-held variety. We can supply these as an alternative for the same cost, but recommend that you don't decide on this option without speaking to us first. [Back to Table] CD Player or Other Sound Source. If you will only be using a PA system for speaking, you won't require a CD player. Most of the hirers for whom this system is suitable ask for one, however, so although it would be good value without one, our Announcement System includes a CD player anyway. [Back to Table] Mixer. A mixer is needed to provide level matching, volume and tone control. A very basic mixer is all that is absolutely necessary for speeches or announcements using only a few microphones, but in difficult acoustic environments - like a lot of churches and large function rooms - a professional mixer can achieve better results. Our Announcement System includes a professional-standard Allen & Heath mixer that should satisfy the most exacting user, and is certainly more than adequate for public speaking. Also, we will set it up for you so that the only thing you may need to adjust after we leave it with you is the volume. [Back to Table] Amplifier, Speakers and Stands. Amplifiers and speakers are an essential part of any system, although many systems are available for hire that don't match the quality and clarity of our QSC amplifiers and Martin Audio speakers. Stands are also important (if speakers are below head-height, guests at the back won't hear things as well as they should), and are also included with any of our systems. [Back to Table] Delivery and Set-up. All our packaged systems include delivery (mileage charges may apply) and set-up. Generally this saves you time, money, and the potential wear or damage to you or your car from carrying equipment. It also ensures that everything will be correctly connected, tested, and working to its best advantage when we leave it with you. However, you may collect and return equipment yourself if you prefer. [Back to Table] Technician on site. Only our concert systems normally include a technician on site, and once other systems are set up they don't usually require any technical expertise. However, we can provide someone to operate or supervise equipment if this will help your event to run more smoothly. A general idea of what this is likely to cost can be found on our prices page, but please ask us for a quotation if you would like a technician to remain with the equipment throughout the event. [Back to Table] Background or Low-level MusicMicrophone(s). Our Announcement System includes one radio microphone and receiver by default, but if you are sure you will not require one we can provide the same system without it for a reduction of £20.00 in the total fee. [Back to Table] CD Player or Other Sound Source. Our Announcement System includes a CD player, which can also play MP3-formatted CDs. The system also includes adaptor cables so that your own MP3 player or laptop computer can be connected to the mixer (either as well as or instead of our own CD player). We can provide alternative audio source equipment if you need this as well or instead, subject to individual quotation. [Back to Table] Mixer. A mixer is needed to provide level-matching, volume and tone control. The professional-standard Allen & Heath mixer that forms part of our Announcement System has sufficient channels to connect additional equipment (e.g. your own laptop computer or other playback device), so that any likely combination of equipment can be used with it. It also has controls that will cater for a wide variety of input sources. We include cables to attach one additional device as standard, but can provide more cables if you need them, as long as you tell us about this when you ask for a written quotation or place an order. [Back to Table] Amplifier, Speakers and Stands. The QSC amplifier and Martin Audio speakers included in our Announcement System provide high-quality full-range stereophonic sound, and this system is adequate on its own - in both quality and output-level - for low-level or background music. However, for a deeper bass sound or in larger spaces (including gardens and marquees), you may find our Disco System more suitable. [Back to Table] Bass Amplifier and Speakers. Bass speakers are not included in our Announcement System, and if you only require moderate volume levels - and don't want to feel the bass notes as well as hear them - you probably won't need any. They do add something to the overall sound, however, and without them music in larger spaces can sound a bit "thin", so if you if your event is in a large room or outdoors (or if you want more of a "truly hi-fi") experience, you might want to go for our Disco System instead. [Back to Table] Delivery and Set-up. We include this for your safety and convenience, but our equipment is reasonably straightforward to set up for anyone who is familiar with professional audio equipment. [Back to Table] Technician on site. The CD player provided has all the controls normally found on a simple domestic unit (Open, Close, Play, Pause, Forward, Back, Stop, etc.), so doesn't require any particularly technical skill to operate. The only other controls you are likely to use are for overall volume (clearly labelled on the mixer), so you probably won't need a technician to remain on site. If you would like someone on-hand anyway, please see our prices page for an idea of the cost of this, but also ask us to include it in our quotation. [Back to Table] High-level Dance Music or DiscoMicrophone(s). A microphone is useful for announcements (for example, announcing the first dance at a wedding), and can also be used for speeches or by a DJ. As a microphone is required far more often than not, our Disco System includes a Sennheiser ew100 radio microphone and receiver by default. However, if you are certain you won't be needing a microphone - sometimes, for example, a DJ will provide one - we can provide the same system without one for a reduction of £20.00 in the total fee. [Back to Table] CD Player or Other Sound Source. Like the Announcement System, our Disco System includes a CD player, which can also play MP3-formatted CDs. Again, this system includes adaptor cables so that your own MP3 player, laptop computer or other source equipment can be connected to the mixer (either as well as or instead of our own CD player). Even where additional DJ Equipment is hired, the CD player is useful as an additional sound source, and as a backup if third-party equipment fails to fulfil its intended function. [Back to Table] Mixer. A mixer is needed to control the signal from the CD-player and/or DJ console before it reaches the amplifiers. Our Disco System is usually supplied with a professional-standard Allen & Heath mixer, which has sufficient channels to connect additional equipment (e.g. your own laptop computer or other playback device), so that any likely combination of equipment can be used with it. If you don't require extra inputs and will be wanting a crossfade - aka DJ - mixer we may be able to substitute a two-channel Vestax mixer (again without extra charge, but again, please tell us if you want this). [Back to Table] Amplifier, Speakers and Stands. Like all our systems, our Disco System includes a QSC amplifier and Martin Audio speakers. However, because it is designed for higher output and more powerful bass, it also includes bass speakers (see next paragraph). [Back to Table] Bass Amplifier and Speakers. Our Disco System is designed to provide the high output-levels suitable for dance music, and includes a second QSC amplifier and a pair of Martin Audio bass speakers. [Back to Table] Delivery and Set-up. Our Disco System will just about fit in a large estate-car, but it isn't generally desirable (and may be unsafe) to transport it in a vehicle without a bulkhead or cage to stop it sliding forward in an accident. For that reason, you will probably prefer us to deliver it and set it up. [Back to Table] Technician on site. The CD player provided has all the controls normally found on a simple domestic unit (Open, Close, Play, Pause, Forward, Back, Stop, etc.), so doesn't require any particularly technical skill to operate. The only other controls you are likely to use are for overall volume (clearly labelled on the mixer), so you probably won't need a technician to remain on site. If you would like someone on-hand anyway, please see our prices page for an idea of the cost of this, but also ask us to include it in our quotation. [Back to Table] Live MusicAlthough our Small Concert System is the one most often selected for live music at weddings or private parties, you will probably still need to speak to us before making your final decision about what to hire. You may also find it useful to have a look at the Live Music page, which covers live music requirements in more detail. Microphone(s). All our packaged live music systems come with a selection of microphones, and will cover many common combinations of instrument and voice. We can usually offer suitable alternatives for specific instruments where necessary, subject to individual quotation. [Back to Table] CD Player or Other Sound Source. A CD player is often useful to provide background or interval music at live events, so all our live systems include one. [Back to Table] Mixer. Any live music will need a mixer, and although it is possible to work with fairly basic controls, modern audiences - even if they are party guests - are generally accustomed to higher standards. For that reason, all our live systems are supplied with professional-standard Allen & Heath mixers, ranging from 12 to 32 channels. Which is most suitable will depend on the scale and complexity of the production, and we advise you to contact us about this unless you already know exactly what you will need. [Back to Table] Amplifier, Speakers and Stands. Our live systems and monitor subsystems are supplied with QSC amplifiers and Martin Audio speakers. Each system is suitable for a range of performance styles and audience sizes. [Back to Table] Bass Amplifier and Speakers. Most of our live systems - even the smaller ones - include a bass amplifier and speakers. The exception is our Vocal PA (which is also suitable for some styles of acoustic music), which may be appropriate for some smaller-scale events. [Back to Table] Delivery and Set-up. Live music adds equipment (extra microphones, stands, cases) and complexity, and even where performers travel with their own sound engineer they will usually want the system professionally set up before they use it. [Back to Table] Technician on site. Most live productions call for a technician on-hand to help with technical and practical issues. For that reason, all our live systems apart from the Vocal PA include at least one technician, who can remain with the equipment (or at least nearby) from delivery to collection. [Back to Table] [Site Map] [Top of page]
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