Audio system Consultant in Middle Tennessee

[Live4the1]

We are in the process of designing a new building and are looking at overall budget. I've been asked to check on some installation professionals in the area and see if we can get a rough estimate based on our rough draft of the room design. Do any of you have any recommendations for an audio consulting/installation company in Middle Tennessee?

[Brad Weber]

Originally Posted by Live4the1

We are in the process of designing a new building and are looking at overall budget. I've been asked to check on some installation professionals in the area and see if we can get a rough estimate based on our rough draft of the room design. Do any of you have any recommendations for an audio consulting/installation company in Middle Tennessee?

The usual question here, although the answer seems obvious in this case, of whether you are really looking for a Consultant. Since you mentioned installation it sounds like you are actually looking for a Design/Build Contractor rather than for a Consultant.

Two things to likely keep in mind. One is that a larger project may get more interest from a larger number of firms over a larger area, so the size and scope of the project can be a factor. Assuming you mean the area roughly defined as within the triangle formed by Nashville, Chattanooga and Knoxville, there should be several design/build Contractors in that area, however for a larger project you might also get interest from companies around Louisville, Charlotte and Atlanta.

The other consideration is that Contractors will often offer free quotes and proposals in the interest of getting the related work, however that investment is made with the justification of it relating to a potential equipment and installation contract. If you do not intend to commit to a purchase of the system being proposed at this point then whether the services are provided by a Consultant or a Contractor, you should plan plan to pay for those preliminary design and estimating services. The other aspect of this is that if you do not plan to commit to a system purchase at this time then that may also make it more feasible to consider other service providers in other locations for this effort.

[Live4the1]

Unfortunately, I guess I can't consider this a large project. We are working on a rather low budget (yea I know "join the club"). Our pastor is initially talking about $10K for the sound. We are planning on building a family life center as phase 1 of our building. In this phase the room that we will be using as the sanctuary will be 100' x 50' with an open ceiling ~20' high. We would like to do as much of the install as possible (running cable, building stage and sound booth. etc...). What we would like is to find out early what kind of money we are looking at for getting someone to specify speaker types, location, hanging, acoustic treatment for the room, and equipment costs. I know that this is very vague but what have others done in this stage of planning?

[SamG269]

I would recommend visiting other churches in your area. See what they use. Read up on the different aspects of having a sound system.

Figure out what your need's are based on style of music played, how many instruments/singers, etc. More contemporary style usually calls for more channels on the mixer and additional speakers and monitors,etc. So that has a big impact as well on cost.

Acoustic treatment is expensive. And for a space that large, it can be very expensive. How much knowledge do you have on audio systems? What are plans for the future? What do you have now?

Do you have a diagram of the space? Plans for the stage?

Just throwing out questions. Some here will give advice while others will push towards having a professional which will of course ALWAYS be the best option. But these questions are things to be considered as well.

[JeffReckart]

another fellow tennesseean.

10k isn't alot for a sound system. just mics cables, etc will put a dent in that quick.

http://www.bbb.org/nashville/accredi...al-consultants

just a quick google search turned up this...

JR

[JeffReckart]

Kevin McManus Nashville Teleproductions Inc

http://www.nashvilleteleproductions.com/

JR

[Live4the1]

Thank you to all who have replied. Thank you Jeff for your suggestion. I have contacted many companies in the area and several have said that 10K is definitely tight. We will just have to do the best that we can do and give it to God. Our first consultation should be with Him. God Bless.