Taylor Productions, LLC

The Sound Choice

Engineering Sound For Live Events

Sound Engineers put the finishing touch on a performance

The team of people sound engineers work with rely on us to run a good show. Sound engineers design and set up the sound system, the soundboard, build a music mix, mix monitors, position microphones, run line check and sound check and more.

Sound engineers have huge demands and responsibilities when working behind the mixer, so they come prepared with a firm understanding of the concepts behind the board buttons. Once the show is live it’s not uncommon for them to fine tune the mix to remove any uncertainty about volume levels, adjust low end, add warmth to vocal tones, shape instrument tones, ensure levels are correct and sound is mixed well. The room you’re playing will likely add its own characteristics to the natural reverb of the performance, so they make adjustments accordingly.

The music must sound good for the people in the crowd as well as for the performers on stage. To ensure the audience is fully engaged in the show, sound engineers treat the front of house mix differently than the stage mix.

It’s all about the mixing board

The mixing board is the heart of a sound reinforcement system, and is one of the most complex components of a sound system. To get the best performance out of an act and deliver the show effectively, a sound engineer must have a solid understanding of how it works.

The better they understand every part of a mixing board, the better the sound mix sounds. To ensure success, use a checklist designed to be used as a repeatable process every time you’re in charge of audio production.

Finding the Right Vocal Microphone

Capture the sound of your voice, especially the subtleties

Sound engineers, producers, editors, and enthusiasts are constantly striving to find new and better ways of doing things. In their relentless and never ending pursuit of a better tone, they start by finding the best type of microphone to use when running live sound or doing conference setups.

The key to a good live performance always starts with capturing the natural vocal tone of the singer or speaker, blending in the resonance and reverberation of the performance space, giving the listener an amazing listening experience.

This mastery is achieved with a seasoned understanding of where in the EQ spectrum the vocals fall, identifying frequencies to shape the sound you’re looking for, understanding what role the instruments play, and knowing where each should be placed in the mix.

If you can’t get the sound you’re looking for, hire a professional sound engineer of your own and pay them to coordinate the equipment, backline, sound check, and mixing during the performance. You’ll be glad you did so.

When selecting a microphone, trust your ears

While it’s true that sound is subjective, the best advice is that the ideal microphone should be versatile in it’s able to capture low frequencies while keeping mid-to-high clear and distinct.

So when testing out microphones, if you like the way it sounds, then it’s the right mic for you. And as a general rule, features built into more expensive vocal microphones are designed to reduce the pop, breath, and handling noises you’re likely to experience with less expensive mics.

Dynamic Microphones

  • Dynamic Microphones are the most common types of Vocal Microphones such as the Shure SM57 and the Shure SM58.
  • The legendary Shure SM57 is exceptional for vocals. With its bright, clean sound and contoured frequency response, the SM57 is ideal for live sound reinforcement and recording.
  • Tuned to accentuate the warmth and clarity of lead and back-up vocals, the SM58 is a legendary live vocal microphone known for its rugged reliability on tour.

Condenser Microphones

  • Condenser microphones have always been the preferred type for studio recordings. Powerful and rich in detail, condenser microphones are the ideal choice when the vocals really have to cut through.
  • The Sennheiser e945 lead vocal stage microphone is made for the working musician and the first choice for rental companies. It is specially designed to perform under pressure while exhibiting a naturally smooth response.

Getting your hands on the right equipment is priceless

Taylor Productions has a variety of top of the line new and used equipment, and personnel who have a great understanding of all the gear and are there to guide you through the basics and through troubleshooting.

If you are considering purchasing or renting vocal equipment, call Taylor Productions today.

Protecting your Sound Gear from Rain

Having a reliable audio system, staging and backline gear for waterside concerts, festivals, and parties comes with special concerns when the elements threaten to get involved. Outdoor festivals and events around Lower Manhattan and New Jersey may be subjected to unpredictable rain, hail, and high winds that could be disastrous to your equipment. Outdoors shows exposed to the weather are not a big deal if you are prepared. The threat of inclement weather paired with a unique venue may require you to put just as much energy into protecting your sound gear as you did in staging it.

Unexpected weather can happen at any venue. Exposure to water or salt can be disastrous to your equipment which could short out or fail altogether. If your gear is powered by sensitive electronics don’t count on it not being affected by moisture and condensation caused by wet conditions.

Salt and water damage can be irreversible. So either view the equipment you want to bring as expendable, or rent or buy a kit for the show. And don’t forget to use the proper type of water-rated electrical cabling. The best protection for your equipment is when it’s safe from the elements, is designed to travel, is well maintained and is in peak operating condition.

A little rain on the microphone is not a problem. Mics need to be dried off as soon as possible. If you put them away wet they may rust and have mold grow on them.

For weather resistance, cover speaker stacks and monitors with thin plastic bags (they let the sound through and keep the water out). Secure plastic covers and tarps in place when the wind intensity increases to help avoid rips or tears. If speakers are not properly protected, pooling water will damage speaker cones and cause mold to grow in drivers. Be sure to dry them out as soon as possible.

If you don’t have bags to protect monitors, turn them over when it starts to rain. Cover microphones, soundboards, amplifiers, and other electronic equipment with tarps or plastic. Plastic bread bags slip easily over a down turned microphone.

If your electrical system is wired properly, a wet mic is not a safety hazard. Remember – when people’s skin gets wet it conducts electricity better. Proper system grounding is essential. Make sure everything is grounded and make sure there are no shock hazards. Inspect all outlets that the sound system and stage gear are powered from for proper wiring.

SAFETY FIRST. If electricity is exposed to the elements, if lightening is present, cancel the gig. Equipment damage is secondary to injury. Systematically power down and disconnect everything. Wet surfaces also increase your chances of slip and falls so be careful.

After the event, you’ll need to completely wipe off and dry out the insides of your audio equipment as soon as possible. To be completely sure, it’s best to disassemble each piece of gear to give the interior and circuit boards a thorough cleaning and a chance to dry out. Salt will slowly erode the electrical connections inside, so don’t delay cleaning.

If you are lucky, rain will only be temporary, and the show will continue once things dry off.

Poor sound quality in your House of Worship?

detail-why-churches-have-less-than-ideal-sound-qualityCapture the imagination of listeners and make sure the message is heard

What’s the point of giving a sermon if your congregation can’t understand what you’re saying? If you want to learn how to improve the sound quality of your Church or House of Worship, we’re here to help.

The foundation of church worship is built around verbal, emotional, and musical communication. Music and the spoken word are essential elements in many religious and spiritual services. An uplifting message in the songs that are sung and the words that are spoken have the ability to stir emotions and makes for an inspiring experience that can lift and energize.

Yet, if every member of the congregation no matter where they sit cannot adequately hear the pastor, if the vocalist is not clear or distinct, or if the musicians are too loud, the message you are trying to deliver looses impact and inspiration. So why do so many Houses of Worship have have difficulty delivering ideal sound quality?

House of Worship sound system design can be a daunting task

The sound requirements for church sound systems used for contemporary worship can be varied and complex. Complexity of church design, acoustical ceiling pattern is

  • In some worship spaces there are domed ceilings that have raw natural acoustic properties.
  • In various smaller spaces the ceiling is made up of low suspended acoustic tile over an open space covered with small amounts of carpet.

Different acoustic and architectural solutions must be considered to help visitors receive and understand the message as it was intended to be heard.

The sound choice – creating the right ambience in House of Worship

Room acoustics is the most important factor affecting speech and music in a church.

  • Room acoustics describes how sound behaves in an enclosed space
  • Room acoustics is determined by the architecture and finishes of the room, and by the number of people that occupy the room at any given time
  • Sound systems are designed for and determine by room acoustics

To successfully combine architectural and acoustic design for your church, get some advice from a good acoustic and sound system consultant like the professionals at Taylor Productions.

Well designed sound systems can overcome acoustic problems and enhance the worship experience

When designing a sound system for your church, it’s important to take the following into consideration or acoustic problems can occur:

  • How large the church is?
  • What kind of music a church performs?
  • How loud the music is played?

Top reasons for sound problems in a House of Worship

Acoustic problems that churches struggle are the result of an improperly designed sound system. Such problems distract from the worship experience, and can be fixed:

  1. Speaker’s voice bounces around the room
  2. Feedback occurs during sermons or songs when a speaker is walking or talking
  3. Feedback occurs when a speaker points the microphone in various directions
  4. Microphones were not choose based on usage factors
  5. Poor microphone usage: Vocalists position the microphone at different distances from their mouth
  6. Poor monitor usage: Too loud, not loud enough, too muddy, not the right mix of vocals and instruments
  7. The room has hot spots and dead spots
  8. Excessive stage volume
  9. House volume too low, house volume too high
  10. House EQ not set properly
  11. Distortion, echo, or excessive reverberation occurs
  12. Faulty, old, damaged equipment, blown speakers
  13. Outside traffic noise, sirens, trains are distracting
  14. Bad sound guy: wasn’t properly trained on your system

Mixing the spoken word – get the pastor’s voice sounding great

Sound systems can be problem solvers. Well-designed systems can help overcome acoustic problems and enhance the worship experience.

  • Sound systems can control amplified sound, making it louder, softer, clearer, brighter
  • Sound systems can eliminate acoustic conflict between music and speech

Decisions you make can dramatically improve sound reinforcement and the experience for visitors. Points to consider:

  • Make sure that your church sound system is built and installed correctly
  • Make sure that sound design optimizes for room acoustics (size, shape, configuration)
  • And optimizes for room finishings: type of seating, size of the audience, type of music
  • Make sure the equipment being used functions properly
  • Make sure equipment is well maintained: check microphones, monitors, speakers, amplifiers, mixers, signal processors periodically
  • Consider where and how the equipment is set up and positioned
  • Make sure different liturgical components are considered (readings, prayers, responses, sermons, music

Immersive, room-filling sound draws the listener in

Where a conference room would be optimized for articulation and clarity, a symphony hall is optimized for resonance and acoustics.

A place of worship, however, is optimized for articulation, clarity, resonance, and acoustics. This is because a worship space requires a balance between the requirements of a music performance and the spoken word. These acoustical factors if not addressed, make it difficult for a congregation to hear regardless of how loud the speaker tries to talk.

Consequences of a poor audio system

Acoustical factors aside, if you have a poor audio system you won’t hear the people say “That’s the best worship service we’ve ever had!”.

The consequences of a poor audio system are annoying, frustration, distracting, and could adversely affect the performance and reception of service. You know what I’m talking about – you have clicks, pops, crackles, hiss, harsh, distortion, feedback, flutter, echo, excessive reverberation, sound delay, shadows, uneven frequency response, poor speaker coverage, too soft, too loud, too much…. and background noise. Did I miss anything?

Imagine the congregation is fully engaged in worship

Call Taylor Productions.  We’ll work within your budget to build a system designed to support acoustical factors present in your space so people can’t help but feel it was the best worship service they’ve ever had

Should You Rent or Buy Your Audio Equipment?

Questions to Consider Before You Buy Audio Equipment

You can spend the time searching and reading online reviews for the best models of equipment to fit your budget and needs, or you can trust Taylor Productions to help you determine whether you should rent or buy audio equipment designed to fit your New York and New Jersey events.

With technology changing daily, the decision to rent or buy an audio system is a big one. How do you determine if buying audio equipment is a worthwhile investment? How do you know if renting only the pieces of equipment you actually need rather than buying an entire sound system is a more practical solution? Or maybe you should buy the gear you know you’ll use often, and rent what you need to fill in the gaps?

If you’re a business, organization, agency, event or meeting planner, small theater, or a local congregation, answering the following questions will help you make this decision. By taking into account your current and future needs and capabilities, Taylor Productions is here to help you determine whether you should rent or buy audio equipment that fits your event. Drop us a line or call 631-569-5165 to speak to a real person.

Is it better to rent a sound system or buy one?

Every event is different. Determine your budget.

  • Is the equipment you need for one event also needed for other events?
  • How often will you be using the equipment? The answer to this determines if you will get your money’s worth out of each piece of equipment. And if you own a piece of equipment and use it often, eventually it will need repairing or replacing. How will you address that?
  • How many events do you produce each year?
  • What size is your event?
  • Is it a one time event or a long term weekly event?
  • Will you use this equipment on a regular basis?
  • How long is your event?
  • Do you need state of the art technology?
  • Are you replacing a piece of equipment or buying something new?
  • What’s your budget? Cheap gear is nice at first, but it doesn’t sound as good and tends to break down more frequently.
  • How often will you use the equipment?
  • Can you use the equipment for more than one type of event?
  • Is it a “permanent” installation, or will you need to set it up and tear it down for each event?
  • Who will operate the equipment?
  • Who will set it up / tear it down?
  • Is it be a complicated piece of equipment that no one will know how to use?
  • Will you need a dedicated technician to help out with setup and operation?
  • Do you know what kind of equipment you need?
  • Is the event indoors? Outdoors? Both?
  • What type of acoustical challenges need to be solved?
  • How large is the event area?
  • How available is electrical power and outlets?
  • What problem does the equipment solve?
  • What solution does the equipment provide?
  • Which approach is better: components or all-in-one systems?
  • What is your skill level?
  • Do you own any of your own gear?
  • Will the gear remain useful over the years?
  • Is the technology it uses one that will last?
  • Which version will you buy – the latest release? An older model? A used model?
  • How often does the technology change?
  • How often will it need to be upgraded?
  • How will the equipment be maintained?
  • Who will provide the required maintenance?
  • Who will provide the tech support?
  • Is the investment worth it?
  • Do you feel the need to keep up or catch up?
  • Can you afford this technology?
  • Can you buy some gear and rent the remaining gear on an as-needed basis?
  • Is your purchase based on a genuine need or a cultural pressure?
  • Is your model of choice one that will last?
  • Is there a less expensive alternative?
  • Are you buying only what you need?
  • What will be the additional expenses included in your purchase?
  • Will this purchase make your life easier?
  • Can you use it out of the box or does it require special training?
  • How much time is needed to learn how to properly use it?
  • Whom can you call for troubleshooting?
  • Have questions? Consult an expert Taylor Productions 631-569-5165

There are advantages to buying and renting audio equipment

Owning audio equipment means you can use the equipment you need whenever it’s required, and you don’t have to pay or worry about making rentals arrangements every time you need to make a presentation.

Renting offers you unlimited options. If you choose to rent your equipment from our equipment rental service, you can rent only what you need for each event, you will receive well-maintained equipment, and get tech support when you need it, to ensure your event is a success.

In many instances, you’ll be best served with a little bit of both: buy the gear you know you’ll use often, and rent what you need to fill in the gaps.

What audio equipment do you need?

Taylor Productions will help you select the right audio equipment that fits your event.

When the correct system is purchased, additional components naturally falls into place. Select the correct mixer, speakers, microphones, monitors, headphones, amplifiers, pre-amps, receivers, equalizers, stands, all required connectors, adapters, and cables, lights, consoles – you name it. We have the system available to match your needs and to ensure that the event is a success.

We are here to address your concerns and help you to choose the finest, most affordable components for your event. And if needed, we’ll even help you set it up and train you how to distribute the sound around the event space to create the illusion that you’re smack in the middle of the action. It can’t get much better than that! Call us 631-569-5165.

Do you buy or rent? Let us know in the comments.

Is it Time to Update Your Church Sound System?

detail-update-your-church-sound-system
Proper Sound Equipment for a Better Worship Experience

A quality sound system can make a big difference in the worship experience of the congregation. The sermon may be missed with an under-powered sound system. Everyone has been in the situation where a speaker feeds back and releases that hair-curling shriek that results in you jabbing your index fingers into your ears to avoid it. That is why a quality sound system is so important and can make a huge difference in the worship experience of the congregation.

If your sound system is in disrepair or under-powered important points of the sermon may be missed. In addition, poor quality sound can distract and cause a disconnect at crucial moments. Creating the proper sound and lighting environment will help maintain the comfort of church membership, improve their experience and enhance the effectiveness of your message.

If you are struggling with your current sound system or wondering if the equipment you are using has seen better days, read on for a few tips on evaluating and planning changes to your ministry’s sound system.

Is your current audio equipment meeting the needs of the ministry?

Before making equipment decisions take the time to assess your current situation. To find out if your sound system is doing an adequate job, test every scenario that could be required for it to handle. A quick walk through of the seating area with the sound system running can help you determine if the coverage pattern of the speakers is adequate. Take note of any areas that are “dead zones” or areas that have poor quality or where the levels are too low. Is your equipment positioned in the right place? Test for all sound & A/V applications that will be used during services, including voice, background music, video projection, lighting, etc.

Considerations Before You Buy

Symptoms of Bad Sound

If you have equipment that is in need of repair or your system just isn’t performing up to par it may be time to upgrade. There are several things to consider before making expensive purchases. Use the guidelines below to help clarify what your sound needs are.

Replace or Repair – A Second Look Can Save Money

Check the equipment you have on hand and make a list of any equipment that is not working. You may be surprised at what you find laying around that can be repaired or reconditioned & used instead of buying new.

Taylor Production technicians can help you determine whether it’s possible or more economical to repair instead of replace. And when you’re ready to replace or upgrade, our trained professional sound designers will guide and help you create the best acoustic environment possible within your budget. Just call or contact Taylor to find out how we can help you make the best choice for your situation and budget.

Your Church – Assess Your Needs

Before making any major investments in sound reinforcement equipment it is important to understand the current specific audio requirements that you have and anticipate how those requirements may change over the future as the congregation grows. Know your needs:

  • Voice Amplification
  • Live Music
  • Background Music
  • A/V Projection
  • Lighting
  • Computer Integration

Getting the Right System in Place

Make a plan 3-5 years into the future. Think of the type of service you run and make a list of specific sound requirements. Take into consideration not only the size of the congregation, the church structure itself, but also all the different types of events that may be housed by the church & what those needs might be.

It’s also important to consider what the audio-visual needs are. Will computers or laptops be used? Flat screen projection? Mixers? Amplifiers?

The audio professionals at Taylor Productions have the expertise to help you properly assess acoustic requirements and can make recommendations on a equipment that will handle all your needs. In addition, our skilled engineers can work with you to ensure all of your “devices” can connect properly to make having background music as easy as a swipe on your smart phone.

Download our Audio Assessment Checklist PDF to help create a list of all your sound needs. It will help us to better understand your unique situation and audio requirements.

Rule Out Non-Equipment Issues

A trained audio expert can properly analyze the room and correct non-equipment issues like improper wiring or installation and poor speaker placement. Sometimes problems can be fixed or at least greatly improved without the need to replace equipment at all. In addition, older equipment can sometimes be reconditioned, it’s usable life extended. Before investing in new equipment it is worth assessing what you have on hand.

Training and Ongoing Support

It’s not uncommon for a church to utilize volunteers to run their sound systems. Having operators trained in the basic operation of sound reinforcement equipment can help events run smoothly and keep the community happy. We provide on-site training so you are successful running the equipment and that knowledge can be passed on within your organization making the investment more cost effective.

Even if your budget is limited, upgrading a major component instead of the whole system – like the speakers, for example – can improve the quality of your sound without sacrificing your entire operating budget. Having professional input to help with this type of evaluation can save money and help you build a lasting system and create an ally you can count on when you need advice to face future equipment decisions.

At Taylor we pride ourselves on listening and making whatever we recommend fit your situation and budget.

Basic Sound Components for a Small Church

  • Speakers: 2 15″, 3-way powered speakers (should match subwoofer brand)
  • Subwoofers: 1-2 18″ powered subwoofers (should match speaker brand)
  • Cable snake: 16-24 channels w/ at least 4 aux returns, 100-150′ snake.
  • Mixer: 16-24 channel analog mixer w/ at least 4 aux sends, or 16-24 digital mixer.
  • Components: 2-channel compressor, 1/3 octave equalizer
  • Monitors: 4 – either in-ear or powered wedge speakers
  • Microphones: 4-6 vocal, 1 kick drum, 4 instrument, wireless (pastor), plus cables.
  • Mic Stands: (tall & short)
  • Power Conditioner

Create a Plan

Most church A/V groups are tasked with making the best within limited budgets. Our engineers can help you identify and create a “must have” replacement list that can be balanced with more long-range improvement goals.

We can help put together a comprehensive capital expense plan that can be presented to church leadership to help them anticipate & budget for audio equipment & training needs in the future.

A professional sound engineer/designer will save you money by steering you away from solutions that exceed your needs and trends that do little to build reliability into your system. They can also help you properly evaluate, prioritize & create a plan to work towards a quality system that is within your budget. Without an accurate evaluation and the data it yields it’s difficult to determine the best solution or know how to budget for the future.

We Make Recommendations to Help You Make Decisions

It doesn’t matter how inspired a service is if half of the congregation can’t hear it or is distracted by feedback. That is why it’s important to research and invest in good quality audio equipment. As with many other things you get what you pay for and cheaper is not always better.

Having a working relationship with experts you can trust will save you the headache of making that all important investment only to find that what you purchased cannot provide the sound amplification needed or doesn’t interface with your computer.

In Conclusion

Don’t wait for a catastrophic equipment failure to review and plan for your audio needs in the future. Many factors can cause your system to become outdated; growth, the need to integrate with peripheral devices, equipment failure or inadequacy. Establishing a relationship with a local audio/video/lighting professional is key to ensuring your congregation will receive your message in the best possible acoustic environment.

If you have questions about your current audio system we are here to help.

Call Taylor Productions 631-569-5165 or use the form below to contact us.

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Symetrix Zone Mix 761 and ARC-WEB Add Functionality and Smartphone Control to Hampton’s Dockers Waterside

in-the-press-dockers-watersideAlthough it is one of the premier dining and entertainment establishments in the upscale resort villages of the Hamptons, Dockers Waterside went without a fully-integrated professional sound system until only recently. The attractions that draw vacationers, weekenders, and residents to Dockers Waterside include regular live music, two outdoor “living rooms,” three bars, scores of tables that overlook the bay, and, of course, five-star cuisine. Taylor Sound of Holtsville, New York dramatically improved the sound system with a cost-effective and comprehensive Symetrix Zone Mix 761 fixed-architecture processor and the owner and management are enjoying convenient control from their smartphones via Symetrix ARC-WEB.

“Dockers Waterside previously had some amplifiers and music-store-grade analog and digital processors,” explained Bill Taylor, owner of Taylor Sound. “Some of the components had gone bad, but the real motivation for upgrading the system was the owner’s inability to manage the inconsistent levels coming out of his music players. His solution was to try to compress the signal so as to achieve uniform output, but the compression sucked the life out of the music and killed the low end. It just didn’t sound good.” The automatic gain control (AGC) in the Symetrix Zone Mix 761, together with the rest of its processing power, produced vastly better results.

Inputs to the 12-input Zone Mix 761 include an iPod, a Sonos music player system, output from the live music system, and a wireless microphone for parties and other events. Taylor used all six of its outputs to feed six separate zones in Dockers Waterside via three new Crown XLS 1000 amplifiers and the existing loudspeakers. Additional improvements include a collection of AudioTechnica paddle antennas that provide coverage for the wireless microphone throughout the establishment. The owner and management select zone inputs and adjust volumes via Symetrix ARC-WEB, which they access from their smartphones. Staff can also make necessary changes using a hardwired Symetrix ARC-2e wall-mounted, menu-driven remote located near the main bar.

“We got the system up and dialed in very quickly,” said Taylor. “We were able to give Dockers so much more functionality than it had previously. Symetrix’ AGC algorithm is great, and the owner is very pleased with the quality and consistency of the sound now. Being able to hand him ARC-WEB put the installation over the edge. He loves having that kind of convenient, cutting-edge control!”

Article originally published by Lighting & Sound America here http://www.lightingandsoundamerica.com/news/story.asp?ID=-N9CYQA

SymNet Radius jazzes it up at famous New York City soul food restaurant….

in-the-press-sylvias_exterior

New York, New York – March 2016… Founded in 1962 by Sylvia Wood, Sylvia’s Restaurant in the Harlem neighborhood of New York City serves soul food that has attained regional and international fame. Numbered among its past clients are Jesse Jackson, Magic Johnson, and the late Nelson Mandela, and its regulars include President Bill Clinton and Reverend Al Sharpton! Over the decades, Sylvia’s has expanded from its original storefront by annexing several of the adjacent storefronts. With each expansion, its sound system grew in size – but not in quality. Taylor Sound of Long Island, New York recently gave Sylvia’s a sophisticated, yet easy to use commercial-grade sound system centered on a Symetrix SymNet Radius 12×8 Dante networked audio DSP.

“The Symetrix Radius 12×8 was the first thing we installed at Sylvia’s, and it was almost too good,” said Bill Taylor, owner of Taylor Sound. “They clearly needed new speakers and amplifiers as well, but the Radius was such a step up from their old system that, without an external reference, the improvement seemed more than adequate. We went with the Radius 12×8 because we knew the sound quality would be there and because Symetrix’ open-architecture programming would allow us to give them the customized performance and user-control options that the restaurant needed. Specifically, we wanted to zone out each separate room so that processing and volume could be room-specific.” Taylor Sound designed and installed the new system.

Inputs to the system include a podium mic for calling guests when there is a wait (which is frequently), an iPod input, and output from an existing PreSonus studio/live board. The board supports the musicians and vocalists for Saturday Jazz Brunch and Sunday Gospel Brunch, each a longstanding tradition at the restaurant. User control includes a Symetrix ARC-2e wall panel remote for each room, as well as Symetrix ARC-WEB for managers. ARC-WEB allows them to control the system from their smartphones. Taylor Sound is installing new Renkus-Heinz TRX81 loudspeakers in each room in phases.

“The Symetrix Radius 12×8 has everything we need, including comprehensive dynamics, equalization, and delay for slight time alignment in each room,” said Taylor. “I really love working with the SymNet Composer open-architecture software. It allows me easily create whatever I need for a particular situation. Of course, giving the client ARC-WEB for free is nice. Finally, because the Radius 12×8 is built around the Dante network, it will be easy to expand in the future. Already, Sylvia’s is talking about blowing out another wall to add more table space!”

Article originally published by Symetrix in March 2016 here http://www.symetrix.co/symnet-radius-jazzes-it-up-at-famous-new-york-city-soul-food-restaurant/

Renkus-Heinz Powers Taylor Productions

taylor-productions-in-the-press-1New York, NY – March 2016… In the City that Never Sleeps, concerts and other events are almost a daily occurrence. For concert sound providers, the busy summer season means rarely a dull moment. Long Island-based Taylor Productions is one company taking advantage of that thriving market, with the veteran sound, lighting, and staging company lending their multiple Renkus-Heinz rigs to a full roster of concerts, festivals, and other events.

“We’ve had an exceptionally busy summer this year – we were outside five to six days a week,” observes Taylor Productions President Bill Taylor, whose staff has covered gigs ranging from Phil Collins to Jay and the Americans at medium to large venues including Lincoln Center, the Rainbow Room, MetLife Stadium, and Nassau Coliseum. And, Taylor adds, “we give them a system that really shines and gets the crowd moving.”

Taylor’s main rig, a powerful Renkus-Heinz PNX102LA line array system, has seen almost daily action over the summer, as have their multiple other PNX and CFX-Series rigs. “We did a large street fair on Long Island recently, and it was essentially us versus ourselves – we had our PNX102 rig on one stage, and a CFX101 rig on the other stage at the other end of the street. Fortunately, both systems offer great pattern control, so we were able to keep things reasonably separate.”

taylor-productions-in-the-press-2With several Renkus-Heinz systems to work with, Taylor Productions are able to mix and match cabinets to meet the demands of events both large and small. “We’ll pull out the PNX102 rig if the venue is large enough, because I just love the sound of that system,” Taylor offers. “Often for more mid-sized venues we’ll set up a nice CFX101 system – it’s plenty loud enough, and sounds wonderful. If we’re doing a smaller gig like an outdoor cocktail party or a jazz fest — something that requires great fidelity without a whole lot of sound pressure — our PNX82 rig is a perfect fit. I love the fact that you can rotate the horns if you want to. Having that kind of pattern control is essential for outdoor shows where you need to maintain control of sound levels in the neighborhood.”

Taylor’s smaller systems also come in handy to augment the mains in larger shows. “Often we’ll use our PNX82s as front fill for a theater or concert show,” says Taylor. “They’re really great for that kind of coverage. Being able to rotate the horn means a much softer sound – not in your face like a lot of other speakers. If we want tighter control on the bottom end we’ll use our DNX212 subwoofers. They deliver such a tight, punchy low end, with a nice long throw.”

Though the summer season has given way to autumn, Taylor Productions’ calendar shows little sign of slowing down, and their Renkus-Heinz systems are booked for indoor gigs well into the future. “We’re fortunate to be very busy, and it’s great to know we’ve got systems we can count on, day in and day out. Our Renkus-Heinz systems are well-built and dependable, and they sound great. They really take our sound to a whole other level.”

Article originally published in multiple locations, by:

  • Renkus-Heinz in March 2016 : http://www.renkus-heinz.com/renkus-heinz-powers-taylor-productions
  • Pro-Systems in March 2016 : http://www.pro-systems.co.za/page/news/live-event/1657420-Renkus-Heinz-powers-Taylor-Productions
  • Get It In Writing in March 2016 : http://www.getitinwriting.net/renkus-heinz-powers-taylor-productions/

Creating a Successful Presentation for Speakers

detail-creating-a-successful-presentation-for-speakersSetting up a stage for speakers and presenters may seem like an uncomplicated process, however the success of the presentation (and speakers) is subjected to various influences.

Key components of a presentation:

  • Audience Sizes
  • Meeting Room/Venue Sizes
  • Accessibility
  • Lighting
  • Budget
  • Program Agendas
  • Speaker Requirements

It’s one thing to put on an event but quite another to create a great experience for your audience

When you select the venue, consider the number of participants attending and the arrangement of the meeting space. Make the focal point (the stage) visually interesting and functional. Keep speakers, presenters, and podiums in focus to maintain audience interest and draw attention.

Since audience sizes, meeting room sizes, accessibility, lighting, budget, program agendas, speaker requirements, and selecting the right microphones and podiums are all key components that will vary dramatically, it’s important to plan for your event to ensure success.

Consider placing a large media wall, which compliments the stage design behind presenters or speakers to illustrate their presentation and provide an interesting backdrop for the event. Use a variety of screens and dynamic lighting to keep the speakers (and their message and visuals) the focus.

The arrangement of the furniture depends on the type of event you are intending and plays a key role in setting the overall tone (formal, casual, interactive, or conversational) of the event.

At the core of every staging event is a sound system designed to bring the optimal listening experience to the audience. Sound is designed to be perfectly balanced and in tune with your venue and your audience, so get the details right.

Designed to create a lasting impression

Certainly, the goal is to create a mood and a feeling for guests and attendees so utilize a lighting system designed to create a lasting impression and bring an optimal viewing experience to life. Setting an atmosphere and creating a dramatic first impression is why mood lighting is so vital to any event.

Making the necessary arrangements to address these key points can make a huge difference and contribute to a successful event. If you have any questions call Taylor Productions today.

Corporate meetings and events are the core of our business. Call Taylor Productions to be at your event to make sure technical difficulties do not spoil the evening. At Taylor Productions, we focus on creating that singular experience that attendees will remember long after they return home.

We bring your event to life.

Wireless Microphone Systems for Your Next Live Event

detail-live-band-wireless-system-rich-soundWhen it comes to choosing the correct microphone for your next indoor or outdoor event, consider a wireless microphone to provide the power to reach—and touch—your audience.

What to look for in a wireless system

A properly designed wireless system offers the same if not better audio quality as a wired system, picking up subtle emotional nuances while filtering out noises not meant to be heard.

Wireless microphones are versatile and provide a high level of convenience and flexibility for every audio challenge. When you need clean, crisp sound quality without the bulk and appearance of conventional microphones, wireless microphones are your answer.

Deliver vocals and sound that’s both accurate and inspiring

There are different types of wireless microphones available, including handheld wireless microphones, headset microphones, lavalier or lapel microphones, and instrument wireless systems for guitars and bass.

Handheld wireless microphones are great for most lead vocalists, give you that low-profile look and can be seen in productions on stage or in church, DJs, musical concerts, theaters, or any other type of live public address where visual image and high sound quality are important. These high-definition, flexible microphones are less conspicuous and cut down on stage clutter, and are ideal for stage situations in which a microphone will be passed from person to person.

When a performer or the production requires the talent to move around a lot, a wireless microphone will give you that benefit. It will enable you to walk freely and perform or deliver your speech more comfortably.

Greater freedom of movement for the artist or speaker

detail-wireless-microphone-live-singerThey are especially useful in programs that have questions and answer sessions at the end of the presentation. If you have a wired microphone, moving will not be easy; with a wireless microphone — problem solved.

If you require a greater amount of flexibility for indoor or outdoor productions, fill the part with convincing power and a wireless lavalier microphone.

Though handheld microphones let you walk freely without worrying about the wire, lavalier microphones (lapel mics), simply clip onto the talent’s belt or clothing and allow for a more flexible hands-free operation.

By freeing up a person’s hands, lavalier mics are useful when hands-free gestures are important to increase the quality of the speech, drama, or during an interview to explain a point of view.

Systems built to suit every application and budget

With systems built to suit every application and budget, a lavalier microphone has an extended frequency response and a wide dynamic range, delivering high-quality sound and optimized voice reproduction.

They are a perfectly viable option to keep your production smaller, cheaper, and more mobile. This omnidirectional condenser microphone captures the sound around you perfectly ensuring that every detail of the moment is audible.

Lavalier mics are typically the go-to choice for theatre work, and are favored by many brass and woodwind players. They also allow interviewers, public speakers, broadcasters, entertainers, and live stage and studio productions to move about freely while using a microphone to amplify their voice.

Designed to ensure rich, detailed sound for any project

Because the many breakthroughs in digital technology, today’s high-quality wireless microphones are designed to capture the rich, natural sound of an instrument or bring out the best in a vocalist. No matter what you do on stage, the basic setup and operating principles of these wireless systems are all the same, changing the way musicians perform. When mobile flexibility is needed on stage, the lead singer may prefer a handheld transmitter system, bass and guitar may use instrument wireless systems, and the drummer can use a headset system.

With major advances in technology, wireless systems sound and perform more efficiently than their wire counterparts, making it the quality choice for your event when you need to capture and project great-sounding audio in a cleaner mobile package.

Basic sound tips to manage your live sound events

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Simply put, music makes us feel good

Now that summer is finally here, it’s that time of year when many live events and festivals are happening, offering opportunities and challenges to those involved with providing live sound. Planning live events involves close attention and preparation. To run a successful live event, it’s important to plan ahead, prepare a lot, and organize. Herein lies the key to the important power of live sound. In an event, sound plays a huge role. In this article, we hope to give some insight and share some sound tips to help make your event successful.

First thing that you do before running your event is checking the venue. Depending on whether it is indoor or outdoor, you may need to come up with different plans. First of all, let’s focus on the power sources. If you are running an indoor event, power source might not be a big issue. However, you may need to have a backup plan in case of a power cut. Here, the real work starts if you are running an outdoor event. In an outdoor event, you may need to check the power sources and make sure the power source you have is not connected to anything else. Additionally, if it is possible, talk to your other organizers and check whether they have a generator as a backup.

Get a great live mix

Apart from the power sources, clarity of the sound will be the next concern. Both indoor and outdoor events require special attention here. Sound can be echoed. Studying the event location and identifying these potential concerns will be helpful to run a successful event. And, the speakers and paces you use in an indoor event are different from an outdoor event. Thorough planning will help you to overcome some of the issues related to sound clarity. Frequencies that you required will not be available all the time. So, before starting up the event, be sure to check the frequencies and verify whether your wireless microphones have the frequencies that they need.

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Everything should be anticipated and well planned. Whether your event is an indoor or outdoor event, get a copy of all presentations or a schedule of acts beforehand. Eliminate unnecessary noise between acts – they can be distracting. Review with presenters how to handle a wireless microphone without keeping it too close or too far. Work that should be done in the mixing board should be in written form to avoid mistakes. More importantly, there should be someone at all times at the soundboard. Assign an assistant to handle the last minute details, to allow the soundboard technician to pay full attention in the running event.

Your job is to get the best sound you can from the room you’re in

As mentioned earlier, planning is necessary to increase the clarity of the sound system. When everything is in place, a quick line check is done. Soundcheck each microphone to make sure they’re work, set the voice levels and the gain. Vocal clarity and mix quality are critical to the show. Once vocal levels are set, bring up the other instruments or supporting microphones to match it. This will often be the only chance the soundboard engineer has to hear the microphones before the event starts. Once live, tweak the mix and adjust the overall balance to achieve the best levels for the show, deliver the expected results, and keep everyone happy.

Make it an inspiring event for all

Providing the best sound possible for the audience can make it an inspiring event for all. In review, to run a successful event, start the planning process early, decide the requirements of your event, and if you don’t understand something – ask! Better to rely on the expertise of others than try to bluff your way through an event. Remember to keep it simple, and have fun!

Great sound is one of the most important parts of your live event

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Whether you’re having a wedding, birthday celebration, live music on the Pier or even just hosting a conference with lots of guest speakers, great sound is the most important decision you can make for the whole event. Yes, the food is important, and so are the table settings, but the sound is what people will be listening to all day or night long. It will inspire their mood and set the tone, and can make a huge difference to the attention of your guests. So don’t let sound fall to the wayside, make the best and most informed decision. What can we offer you? At Taylor Productions, we will customize your experience and determine exactly what it is you’re looking for.

We work with you every step of the way to ensure you get that perfect sound.

No matter how big or small, we can provide a high quality, professional sound system for award nights, meetings, conferences, events and everything in between. These events can be held is just about anywhere: auditoriums, catering halls, houses of worship, professional buildings, restaurants, sports complexes, universities or schools and any kind of concert, event, theater or dance halls.

We have multiple packages, but we are your one stop shop to your event sound system, with packages including staging, light installations and all audio equipment.

Our experienced technicians and audio engineers are highly trained to not only provide quality services, but also ensure the entire sound system runs smoothly throughout the night; something that doesn’t always happen.

Ever wonder why a speaker’s voice sounds distorted, is hard to hear or muffled?

Have you ever been to a conference where the keynote speaker’s voice sounds distorted, hard to hear or just seems to be muffled and you’re pretty sure it’s not the way he’s talking? This can happen a lot, and each venue provides another set of challenges. However, at Taylor Productions, we know what these problems are and are skilled at overcoming them. You may have a few questions on what these problems may be and what the solutions are, so we’re here to answer those for you.

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Ever wonder why so many meetings have poor sound?

You may wonder why so many meetings have poor sound, and the reason for that is because some buildings, once they reach a certain size, can only reach a certain volume threshold, and once you exceed that it’s very difficult to maintain the sound evenly throughout. To combat this, you have to determine what the measurements of the room are, such as height and width, and also what the items in the room are made out of. From this, we are able to determine what the necessary output is in order to create full and intelligible sound, rather than one that is muffled, distorted, or unpleasant to listen to.Another thing that can easily affect

Another thing that can easily affect sound are the number of the people in the room. Don’t panic though, because those few people who showed up without RSVP-ing won’t make a huge difference. However, the reason that the number of people can affect the sound is because each person absorbs a small amount of sound, and the more people there are the more reverberating it will be. In simple terms, sound can do three things: become absorbed, be reflected or diffused.

We eliminate problems ahead of time

With our expertise, we can eliminate two of those problems ahead of time by using the information you gave us and coming prepared.

The third problem, diffused sound, is caused by leakage from other rooms. In other words, a room that is not fully soundproof. This doesn’t mean we need to go all-out for a permanent solution to whatever event space you chose, as there are plenty of temporary solutions and we are familiar with all of them.

No matter what problem your space may throw up, we have the materials and the solutions to ensure you never face any of those complications.

As long as we know the dimensions of the room, what kind of room it is, the number of people and the materials the room is made out of, all of these issues will pose no problem to us. We can easily figure out what sound equipment you need to make your event a total success, with sound that is not only intelligible but also pleasing to the ears.

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We give you a customized experience that you require and imagine

When it comes to sound, we are committed to providing all of our clients with a customized experience, and one that gives them the event they require and imagine. Don’t worry about whether your event space is conducive to good sound and don’t worry about the number of people you will have. With Taylor Productions, you know you’re in good hands and our team will “WOW” your guests with the incredible clarity and fullness of sound, making an enjoyable evening for all. And when there’s one less thing to worry about, you yourself will have an even more relaxing and enjoyable night.

Call us today 631-569-5165.

Let’s see how we can work with you to supply and operate the most appropriate sound and lighting system for your event.

Sylvia’s Restaurant in NYC Installs Symetrix System

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Sylvia’s Restaurant in NYC Installs Symetrix System

NEW YORK – As landmark soul food restaurant Sylvia’s has grown over the past five decades, its sound system grew in size – but not in quality. Taylor Sound of Long Island, New York recently gave Sylvia’s a sophisticated, yet easy to use commercial-grade sound system centered on a Symetrix SymNet Radius 12×8 Dante networked audio DSP.

Inputs to the system include a podium mic, an iPod input, and output from an existing PreSonus studio/live board. The board supports the musicians and vocalists for Saturday Jazz Brunch and Sunday Gospel Brunch, each a longstanding tradition at the restaurant. User control includes a Symetrix ARC-2e wall panel remote for each room, as well as Symetrix ARC-WEB for managers. ARC-WEB allows them to control the system from their smartphones. Taylor Sound (aka Taylor Productions) is installing new Renkus-Heinz TRX81 loudspeakers in each room in phases.

Founded in 1962 by Sylvia Wood, Sylvia’s Restaurant in the Harlem neighborhood of New York City serves soul food that has attained regional and international fame. Numbered among its past clients are Jesse Jackson, Magic Johnson, and the late Nelson Mandela, and its regulars include President Bill Clinton and Reverend Al Sharpton! Over the decades, Sylvia’s has expanded from its original storefront by annexing several of the adjacent storefronts. With each expansion, its sound system grew in size – but not in quality. Taylor Sound of Long Island, New York recently gave Sylvia’s a sophisticated, yet easy to use commercial-grade sound system centered on a Symetrix SymNet Radius 12×8 Dante networked audio DSP.

Sylvia’s Restaurant in NYC Installs Symetrix System

“The Symetrix Radius 12×8 was the first thing we installed at Sylvia’s, and it was almost too good,” said Bill Taylor, owner of Taylor Sound. “They clearly needed new speakers and amplifiers as well, but the Radius was such a step up from their old system that, without an external reference, the improvement seemed more than adequate. We went with the Radius 12×8 because we knew the sound quality would be there and because Symetrix’ open-architecture programming would allow us to give them the customized performance and user-control options that the restaurant needed. Specifically, we wanted to zone out each separate room so that processing and volume could be room-specific.” Taylor Sound designed and installed the new system.

Inputs to the system include a podium mic for calling guests when there is a wait (which is frequently), an iPod input, and output from an existing PreSonus studio/live board. The board supports the musicians and vocalists for Saturday Jazz Brunch and Sunday Gospel Brunch, each a longstanding tradition at the restaurant. User control includes a Symetrix ARC-2e wall panel remote for each room, as well as Symetrix ARC-WEB for managers. ARC-WEB allows them to control the system from their smartphones. Taylor Sound is installing new Renkus-Heinz TRX81 loudspeakers in each room in phases.

“The Symetrix Radius 12×8 has everything we need, including comprehensive dynamics, equalization, and delay for slight time alignment in each room,” said Taylor. “I really love working with the SymNet Composer open-architecture software. It allows me easily create whatever I need for a particular situation. Of course, giving the client ARC-WEB for free is nice. Finally, because the Radius 12×8 is built around the Dante network, it will be easy to expand in the future. Already, Sylvia’s is talking about blowing out another wall to add more table space!”

Originally published by Symtrix by Angela Marlett here : http://www.fohonline.com/news/10224-sylvias-restaurant-in-nyc-installs-symetrix-system.html

Taylor Productions offers best in class event staging, live sound reinforcement & lighting & services to make your next event wildly successful. Corporations, associations, not-for-profits count on us to provide support for their most important meetings, trade shows, conferences, conventions. We achieve memorable events for theaters, bands, houses of worship, festivals, fundraisers, gala dinners, holiday parties, and more.

The Sound Choice

create the right ambience for your audience

631-569-5165

We will ensure a memorable event, delivered within budget, by experienced professionals. That’s our promise.

You want to captivate your audience. We can help.

Serving New York City, Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, Kings, Westchester, Nassau, Suffolk, Richmond, Rockland, Orange, Putnam Counties in New York; Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Middlesex, Morris, Passaic, Somerset, and Union Counties in New Jersey. If you have questions or are outside of these shorelines call us to see if we can make it work.