Taylor Productions, LLC

The Sound Choice

Lighting Tips: Make Your Event Shine

Lighting is a fundamental part of staging a successful event but is often overlooked. Proper lighting creates ambiance and helps to build an immersive visual experience that will enhance any presentation or event.

When set up properly, lighting directs the audience’s attention and ensures the right message is relayed. When deciding on lighting for events It’s important to understand your options and to choose the most appropriate types of lighting for the type of event you are holding.

Below are a few tips to guide you through achieving proper lighting.

Make a Plan

Identify which parts of the venue is most important – those are your key lighting points and where the most important action is taking place. You also should visit the venue in advance to understand what power is available and what the venue will allow in terms of use of walls or ceilings. Often times venues will have their own basic lighting systems so knowing in advance what is available will help you understand what additional lighting is needed.

There are other considerations beyond just lighting the stage or presenters. For instance, will the audience be passively watching or will they be taking notes? Is there exhibition space in addition to the main stage? Colored lights can be used to designate areas and make it easier to identify and direct attendees to specific locations within the venue.

Types of Lighting

There are many different types of lighting available to choose from. Below is a description of the different types of lights and what their applications usually are.

Spotlights

Spotlights are generally used to light the stage or presenter. They are used to direct audience focus on the main action taking place and helps to captivate and keep them engaged.

Color Washes

Color washes add atmosphere and can turn a bland space into a  more exciting and engaging environment. Colors can be coordinated with your theme colors. Color washes can also be utilized to create different color zones to help organize your space and easily direct attendees to specific regions.

Uplighting

Uplights are lights that shine up from the floor or stage level. They create additional mood and help transform large spaces with poor lighting into inviting and exciting environments. Often time a large venue will have poor perimeter lighting so the use of uplights can remedy the situation and also add a dramatic feel.

Effect Lighting – Gobos

A gobo is basically a beam of light projected through a stencil design. They can project any design or pattern, including company logos, on ceilings or walls. In addition to adding atmosphere to your venue they can also help reinforce your brand. Gobos are very flexible and can be used in for many types of events from weddings or galas to corporate conventions.

LED Lights

LED lights are more efficient and use 10 times less energy. They last longer and are cheaper to replace than tungsten.

New LED equipment has allowed many more options than available just 10 years ago. With RGBW LED chips (RGB stands for red, green, blue and white light LEDS) you can create virtually any color giving you the power of the rainbow to work with.

Moving Heads

Moving head fixtures use digitally controlled motors that enable all sorts of light movement and can make your event look more professional – even at lower budgets.

When Cost is a Concern

Less is more. Using string lights & candles on tables to transform spaces & create an intimate “bistro feel.” Draped string lights can create an appealing glow when dimmed and strands come in 100’ lengths. This practical approach is cost effective and some of the most beautiful events can be created using lamps & chandeliers saving the more expensive theatrical lighting for the stage.

Another way to save is to seek out a venue that has built-in lighting infrastructure. This will save money by eliminating the need to build rigging and ground support structures to support lighting fixtures.

Conclusion

Good event lighting can designed around any budget. Having a reliable source for equipment and expertise can make the difference between frantic last minute scrambling and running a successful professional event that reflects well on your organization. Think about your goals and share that with the venue. Getting advice from the professionals at Taylor Productions will help you plan an appropriate lighting scheme.

Let Taylor Productions be your trusted source for lighting equipment rentals and expertise and turn your event into a captivating and exciting experience for your attendees/audience.

Call Taylor Productions for all of your event lighting needs at 631-569-5165

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.

How Can We Help?

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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/

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.

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