Event production: essential audiovisual equipment

There is certain audiovisual equipment that is essential for event production. All these devices make up our “raw material”, and we have to know them in depth to be able to choose the options best suited to the needs of our customer, that meet the idea of the atmosphere they wish to build. Today’s post will show you how!

Event production should be tailor-made

Many decisions on space management, audiovisual equipment, technical equipment, budget, etc. depend on the customer, so the best approach is to adjust our efforts to what they really want.

Once the customer has defined the key message of the event, the resources we use will be defined by three factors fundamental to event production: sound, image and lighting.

Three fundamental factors in event production

Although there are countless details that have a role in building an event experience, sound, image and lighting could be considered fundamental. 

1. Sound equipment in event production

The number of attendees and characteristics of the site where the event is held are essential to determining the design of the speaker set-up in the venue. No two events are produced the same way. Even two events held in the same venue may require different speaker set-ups depending on the customer’s needs.

The type of event will lead you to choose a point source or distributed sound system. Further, and considering the expansion of wireless networks, a proper coordination of radio-frequency is crucial.

It is essential that sound not clash with aesthetics. That is why we aim for wireless solutions, loudspeakers hung out of attendees’ lines of sight, integration of the sound system with decorative elements or the use of speakers in discreet colours.

2. Image in event production

As previously noted, each event should be treated as a unique premiere. Broad coverage of images is a fundamental part of any strategy to disseminate content. This is true whether the goal is purely decorative (textures, abstract, etc.) or to convey information in greater detail.

You can choose one of two dissemination approaches:

• LED Screen 
• Projector screen with a projector

Obvious as it may seem, before making this decision, you have to carefully evaluate your setting. For example, at an event where the customer wants to keep the curtains of a hotel meeting room open in the middle of the day, a projector and screen may not be the best options, and you should choose a LED screen instead. Another scenario in which LED screens are typically chosen are sporting events.

Also remember that speakers need stage screens to keep track of the event, without disturbing the audience’s experience.

3. Lighting in event production

Lighting is a very powerful tool to consider in event production. Lighting equipment can completely transform a venue, and even change the perceived size of a space. 

Light provides the link among all the previous items. Alongside the design and choice of media with which to show the video, the design of the lighting comes into play. The challenge is to light, but stay out of sight. That means fitting the equipment to the space without it being invasive.

It is important to correctly choose your lighting equipment, to highlight specific elements of the set and generate the right atmosphere. The magic of event production has to do with choosing the most suitable effects and using them at the right moments to trigger reactions among the audience.

Depending on the type of event, the audio-visual equipment will have specific variations. That is why it is up to the sector professionals to generate a common list of the necessary materials. 

But the three factors outlined in this article (sound, image and lighting) are highly relevant to achieve the success of an event. They are the starting point from which to determine your event’s audiovisual needs. 

If you want to know more about event lighting, you can watch the following video from our channel:

This article was first published in Dushow Spain, you can read the original Spanish version here.