Audio Visual Checklist For Concerts

Concerts are any performances done by a single musician or by a musical ensemble such as an orchestra, choir, or a band. Held in a wide variety and size of settings such as private houses, small nightclubs, dedicated concert halls, amphitheaters and parks to large arenas and stadiums, every concert is often a once in a lifetime experience.

It is an art show that requires careful AV planning to effectively jazz up the entire event. In this AV checklist series, you will be informed of the basic and some AV must-haves when planning a concert.

But first, what is an AV Equipment?

Audiovisual, or AV equipment, is everything that is hardware and software that captures, processes, and distributes  audio and visual components.

AV equipment can include everything from a single microphone and speaker at a PTA picnic to multimillion-dollar cameras, sound mixers, video switchers, and lighting rigs for concerts.

Engaging your audience can be a challenge, but high-quality hardware delivers sleek and cutting-edge results. We explore every aspect of a successful AV production in concerts so you know exactly what you need and why.

Audio Tools

One-half of any great concert is quality sound. It is necessary to communicate and keep your audience engaged from start to finish. Every good artist’s main concern is the sound and working with the best audio engineer is their highest priority. We’ve broken down all the tools you’ll need from input, process, until the output  to pull off your best event. 

Main PA

A PA system is the main component in your concert audio requirement. This does not mean one or two speakers but a full functioning system that is managed through a console to create a complete sound.

Our Main PA Checklist Includes:

• Three-way / Two-way Array System – adequate to cover the audience
• Pole Mounted Array System – for smaller compact space indoor shows
• Side fils – a compact array system or subs and tops for the stage
• Monitoring – 12 or 15 inch floor wedges depending on the stage size
• Wireless In ear – sound guide for performers

Microphones

Microphones are a staple of any production that can make or break the whole experience. Great equipment that meets your needs lends a professional air to your event. When looking to set the right tone from the very first moment, good microphones are the answer.

Our Microphone Checklist Includes:

• Wireless Handheld– dynamic microphones for performers, MCs or announcements
• Wired – reliable and ideal to place on a stand for stationed musicians
• Headworn – best for performances, musical dramas, singers actively moving or dancing
• Instrument Mics
• Di – for connectivity of the keyboards, guitars, etc
• Instrument Stands
• Notation stands

Audio Mixing Console

Audio Mixing Console can alter, manipulate, and combine audio signals in real-time before sending them to the speakers as just one signal. These are used in live or studio performances — any event where multiple audio sources are needed to be distributed to the audience.

Audio mixing console helps unify sound and deliver a polished, well-balanced and smooth professional output.

How many and what kind of sound sources are you using? If you have multiple performers or speakers, an audio mixer is essential. But many people forget that adding laptops, and other similar tools like background music playback  requires mixers as well.

What is the purpose of your event? Concerts, big and small, require audio mixers that can handle the number of instruments and microphones used, but other smaller events may require them as well. Every setup can benefit from audio console.

Most importantly, when using an audio console, consider who will be operating them. Choosing  a team of skilled operators who are familiar with the equipment and can use it effectively should be of high priority.

Visual Tools

Adding top-notch visuals to your event is a game-changer. 65% of your audience identifies as “visual learners”, meaning that they’re going to engage more with your message if there is a visual element. From a small LED screen to advanced video mapping, your options for visual tools are broad and varied.

LED  Screens

LED screens or LED video panels are the new trends in most of the concerts today. They are versatile and completely customizable (sizes and brightness) depending on what you have in mind. With an LED screen, you can go far for a creative adventure to impress your audience — the possibilities are endless! LED is now more convenient and practical.

There are different types of LED screens. A higher pixel such as an indoor P2 or the latest is required for the best clarity presentations while an indoor P3 will suffice for live concerts or any show that only requires backdrop effects.

There are also outdoor LED screens that are purposed to provide brighter output and are ideally used for sporting events in broad daylight but can also be used for outdoor concerts with reduced brightness. These screens can withstand rains and other weather conditions making them also perfect for fixed installations used in malls or building adverts.

You or your AV partner can design your stage with different sizes of LED panels to create glamorous visual effects that can sync in with the performances on stage.

Video Mapping

Video mapping is a projection of content using two or more projectors. The content is specifically designed to match the architectural design you’re displaying the content on such as a building or any surface. Mostly, projection mapping is used for larger area of a building or a custom designed stage set for an extravagant display. The content should precisely map and align the building or a stage set therefore, the preparations for this could take much longer and is done by a certified video mapping expert.

This mind-blowing invention is perfect for highly budgeted concerts as video mapping is relatively more expensive but a top-notch among the rest.

Video Switcher

Video switchers are essential mixers, but for visuals. Video switchers utilize multiple incoming video signals and direct a chosen display to an output source. This can be a projector screen, LED screen, monitor, and also online  streaming. Your team can see what’s coming in from laptops or cameras and can choose the best option to be displayed on a particular screen.

Much like sound mixers, video switchers are essential for concerts that will have more than one video or display source.

Lighting

Lighting adds the wow factor to your event. It comes down to the lights themselves and the console that controls them. Your venue will have certain limitation with lights but there are important factors that need to be applied. Make sure that the performers are visible to the audience or the light is enough for the live stream. Also, there are many types of lighting fixtures that fulfill different purposes. There’s illumination of a person, a certain item, or an area, and special effects.

Lighting is essential to make a specific vibe within your event venue so don’t forget to think about that too.  Talk to your dedicated lighting designer to work around the entire vibe of your concert ahead of time and a rehearsal should be done before the show.

Special Effects

Sfx or special effects in concerts are illusions created to make eye catching visual effects. These are designed carefully by the lighting expert as part of the entire stage set. Special effects are delivered ideally when a special scene is showing on stage such as introductions or finales. Their purpose is to elevate the mood of the event and leave a last impression on the audience.

Some available special effects in our inventory are explained on this post:

Our Lighting Checklist Includes:

• Stage Lights – generic warm lights for the stage
• Face Lights – ellipsoidal fixtures to focus the face of performers

Special Effects & Other Lighting:

• Gobos – textured lights to create more depth in the event space
• Wash Lights – to make the suitable vibe for each song
• Blinders – to give an impactful hit at certain times and to light up the audience
• Smoke & haze – a must for concerts, to give the lights more visibility.
• Cold fire / Sparklers & Fire – additional wow factor for concerts to create impact
• Lighting Console – to control lighting
• Trussing – to hold the lighting fixtures and any other elements

Staging & Fabrication

Last but not the least in the area of stage set is fabrication. We at Audiotech can provide customizable stages that can complement your stage design. Contact us for production of your stage design and we will deliver.

Cameras

Cameras are to visual tools as microphones are to audio tools. They are the cornerstone that can make or break an entire event. You need high-quality cameras that are reliable, adaptable to outdoor venues where lighting cannot be controlled much, and agile in indoor venues where lighting can change quickly.

There are many types of cameras to list here. Instead, we recommend discussing your specific needs with video experts. They will be able to help you determine what’s best for you.

Event Streaming

Streaming services are more popular than ever, even smaller venues and events began streaming as a response to the restrictions caused by COVID-19. Those streaming habits have stuck, and now virtual meetings, on-demand church services, and webinars are all commonplace.

Consider if you require streaming services for your concert, and know exactly what is required to get the job done. Remember that high quality equipment that works the first time, every time, is necessary for delivering high-quality streamed content. Most importantly, a stable internet connection is the first thing to keep in mind as well as experienced experts to run the stream.

Wireless Connectivity

Considering all the internet-enabled devices that you’ll be using at your concert, and also the internet enabled devices your event will attract. Securing a dependable internet connection either in house at your venue, or if you choose to supply it, ensures that your event gets free exposure from social media posts and live streams.

In Summary:

As an event planner, even when hiring a technical team of experts, you should have the right knowledge on AV as it is easier to work hand-in-hand when the organizer understands the different technical aspects of their event.

A lighting done by a good designer, a visual display executed by an experienced technician, and sound delivered by a talented engineer — these are the common factors to consider.

At Audiotech, we take high importance in rendering successes no matter how big and small that event can be. We are a team of professionals offering full-scale audiovisual services specializing in turn-key production solutions for banquets, festivals, concerts, corporate events, and more.

With an arsenal of state-of-the art equipment and years of know-how, we have brought events to life for some of the region’s renowned organizations. Allow us to extend this partnership with you and together let’s pull off a show like no other, one event at a time.

Download AV Checklist for Concerts