{Site Use Question} Speaker selection posts - CMN Policy needed????

[Arlin]

Recently, it seems to there has been a LOT of posts about "Tell me which speakers I should use and where to put them," especially in regards to a permanent install.
While I am all for community support, I am wondering if this sort of post needs some sort of moderation and/or limits.

Proper Speaker selection and placement is always unique to each application and the tastes of the end users. It is not a simple choose the best speaker, put it in the best spot, tune it a bit and you have it. IMO, it really takes a professional intimate with the install location.

Some members here are very knowlegeable and have the resources to give some great suggestions & advice, but I am afraid too much of this gives a false sense of secutiry in their ability to do it themselves.
Also, I am afraid for accountability in these situations. If something just does not turn out right, accountability can be a big concern.

I just feel a little annoyed by the "which speaker and where" posts.
Now, if someone just asks what do you think of this speaker model and this arrangement, that is ok (so long as it does not explode into a full blown design project). I just think the "design our system for us" goes a little too far.

Please don't get me wrong, CMN is a GREAT resource with lots of helpful and knowledgable contributors. I just want to make sure that CMN truly lives up to its potential to provide USEFUL and RELAVANT support in Church Media.

Any other thoughts?

[waynehoskins]

I too notice the increase in "we just built a room; design our sound system for us" posts this week. I think we need some way to, if nothing else, keep people from abusing Cory and Brad and the rest.

Another forum I frequent (one that deals with technical production more in the theatre and entertainment world) has a rule of "no rigging advice" because of liability and safety and all. That seems fair, as does some sort of limit on "design our system for us" here.

I don't know if that means a Verboten sign or something you can't do unless you're a paying member or at least a contributing member of (our) society.

I'm all for "I'm thinking about this, what do you think?" and the like, but I think with the upswing in "design my system for me for free" we need some sort of demarcation between helping and a handout design where they really should be paying a consultant.

[[Admin] danroth]

This is one of those difficult questions which appears every so often.

CMN, like many other communities, is a blend of both professionals and volunteers - which makes for both strengths and weaknesses. The strength is the diversity of answers and opinions. The weakness is the diversity of answers and opinions.

The forums here are free, and nobody here makes any money off of answering questions. "Caveat emptor" applies - and sometimes, "you get what you pay for" implies even more.

I would simply remind everyone that there's no substitute for a competent professional consultant/designer when doing any kind of work - and that it's always wise to take someone's knowledge, training, and experience into account when considering their answers to your questions.

I'd also remind folks who are professionals that they should feel free to say, "That's an extensive design job, and probably more than is reasonable to ask for as free advice on a board like this."

[[Admin] danroth]

Wayne,

I generally agree with your post. I'm hoping the professionals themselves will feel free to make that demarcation themselves. However, we can revisit this if need be.

[cmchamp]

I agree with the "No rigging advise" for the liability reasons.
I don't mind assisting, and, trust me, in Southern Michigan, I see a depressed (artificially) economy and how it affects church purchases and decisions. And even though this is not the greatest economy in history, I'm a busy guy for running a part time business.
When I have time, I don't mind doing quick mock-ups with manufacturer-neutral models to specify coverage patterns rather than specifics on box make/model.
There does need to be stress towards getting your own local design/build firms involved as they will generally have more tools available to do the job properly.
Contractors alone, in general, have access to 1 or 2 product lines.

Ted - sorry for the commercial break, but Jr. High Band just walked in.

[tedanderson]

And now a word from our sponsor...

"....go to Crazy Corey's Speaker Outlet! Over 250 designs, configurations, and speaker packages! And we have one that fits you! Call now! Don't Delay! Install your new church speakers TODAY! They call him Crazy Cory because his prices are INSANE! And now C, back to you!"

[tedanderson]

"Caveat emptor" applies - and sometimes, "you get what you pay for" implies even more.

Exactly. I would even have to go so far as to say that you don't necessarily have to give a full or complete answer.. or even answer at all. But I don't know if it's wise to prohibit certain questions because they require some in-depth research, analysis and consideration. The people who ask these questions don't really know how variable the answer would be and it would be best to tell them to seek the advice of a consultant first and foremost and any advice given after that is primarily for example and evaluation purposes. YMMV.

I am pretty much the "answer man" in many of my circles of influence but one thing that I keep in mind is that I cannot solve everyone's problems for them. I'll help when and where I can but I don't have an obligation to give everyone the same level of "spoon-fed" service.

Also, one thing that I do, which has proven to be very effective, is to TEACH people how to arrive at the conclusion that I would come up with. Rather than just giving them the distance of the diagonal section on a right triangle, (to determine projector image size) I teach them the 3-4-5 principle.

[cmchamp]

And I hope that teaching is what we're doing.
Part of that teaching, sometimes, is explaining why, how and giving examples. Well, Ok, anytime you teach someone something, you need and explanation and examples.
People learn and work in different ways.
Take for instance, my boss. He's a 68-70 year old public school administrator who's never used a computer in his life. He is a list person and sees dates, times, etc. in columns and tables. Myself, and the majority of the staff are visual learners and need to see things in a visual calendar to plan.
Some people need to see in order to better conceptualize.

Ted - you're not too far off the crazy pricing thing either!

C.