Conference room PA system - N00b needs advice

[imix500]

6BG6GA, I totally see where you are coming from. However, based on the info given I think the assumption is that this hotel has minimal A/V support.

Ether, please correct me if I'm way off base there.

There's a good chance it's either maintenance or custodial staff that are charged with setting up the risers and plugging the mic in the wall. If a remote panel was installed to recall presets of a delay line processor, chances are it would rarely if ever be touched and the delay zones would do more harm than good.
I've done systems both ways with good results. I think it's all about the bigger picture.
(Since we're tossing around credentials, look up large sound companies in Yonkers NY and that will give you an idea where I'm coming from)

[Original Burnedfingers]

Well gentlemen what I suggested is how I would have done it given the chance and a usable budget.

As for the RT 60 times based on a program.... my experience has been that sometimes they are correct but most times they aren't correct. I take equipment to measure RT 60 times.

Since there will be no main speaker stack at the stage in his setup, when you add delay to some speakers, what will you delay them with respect to? Each audience member will be listening to the speaker over his head.

Enzo,

I would use the first row of speakers by the stage at no delay and start delaying each row as I moved away from the first or primary row of speakers. This way one seems to have the illusion that the sound is coming from the front instead of getting hit first from the speakers above your head and then from the speakers in the row ahead of that and so forth. Experience has taught me that this method works far better that just throwing up a 70.7 volt line of speakers and paralleling them all together. Granted delaying them for music like background Muzak in a different mode of operation would be of no value what so ever.Some do not add delay lines as I will call them when using ceiling speakers. Delay is not just used when employing speakers on stands up front or speakers on stages.

If the budget isn't there then throw up the 70.7 volt speakers with no delays. I would however suggest a decent EQ like a Shure DFR22 to eq and to set feedback filters. However the amount of speakers suggested by the poster needs to be doubled in order to have some decent coverage with some overlap. I do suggest the 70 volt speakers over using 8 ohm with a series parallel config. Note the 8 ohm speakers would require much much larger wire or smaller gauge that what the 70 volt system would. With the 70 volt one could easily get by with 18 ga wire.

[Original Burnedfingers]

I'm with Pano, never had an issue with a decent DI box and PC causing hum. And I'm not just agreeing because he's a mod too, but based on lots of practical experience.

Hook a PC straight to a mix board and see what you get. What I suggested (the Edcor) is what I use from the PC to the board. Save the DI box for other uses. Sorry if I didn't clarify what I meant.

[Pano]

So let's recap:

1. Everyone agrees that you should use a 70V or 100V system. Either will be fine, use what is current practice in your location.
2. The Amp you chose can do either 70V or 100V. That's good.
3. The speaker lines have been pulled. No problem, you can still use the 70/100V speakers. You'll need a panel where all the speakers lines come together.
4. Forget stereo, just run the system mono.
5. Use zones. If you can turn off or attenuate the speakers above the active stage, so much the better.
6. 10 speakers will be the bare minimum to cover your area.
7. EQ is a good idea.
8. Delay could also be a good idea, but may not be in the budget (extra amps, delay units)
9. Get some sort of DI, transformer or interface to connect computers to the mixing console via the installed mic lines.

That should give you some good points going forward. We don't know how much room you have in your money and time budget to change things. Knowing that would help us help you.

[Original Burnedfingers]

Quote:
Get some sort of DI, transformer or interface to connect computers to the mixing console via the installed mic lines.

Direct box for interface from mic jack at stage for computer, line source

Something like the Edcor to connect a computer to the mix at head end via Aux input on board or line in on a channel.

[simon7000]

Originally Posted by 6BG6GA

As for the RT 60 times based on a program.... my experience has been that sometimes they are correct but most times they aren't correct. I take equipment to measure RT 60 times.

What do you use to make the measurement?

[Original Burnedfingers]

What do you use to make the measurement?

Tef analyzer

[simon7000]

Originally Posted by 6BG6GA

What do you use to make the measurement?

Tef analyzer

Which version?

[Original Burnedfingers]

If I get a chance I will check the model. Its one of the first if I remember.

[Pano]

I use these at work. Very $$ though. Never a problem with them.
Radial Engineering - ProDI / ProD2 passive direct boxes