Gen Con AV

[Wraithkin]

Hello, not sure who I should be bringing this up to, however, I am an audio visual professional by trade. My company is PSAV, a transnational audio visual provider. I am currently a video engineer but have also done sales and management roles within my company. I specialize in corporate events from 30-5000 people. Most of my work is in convention centers and hotels and so I understand all of the associated costs and problems. I help pitch events, put them into the order system, and negotiate pricing. From there I pull the equipment from our warehouse, deliver it, set it up, and then operate it.

So, the meat of this post. I'd like to offer my assistance in a more professional capacity than running up to troubleshoot the issues. The audio system they gave you this year was 3 JBL single cabinets from a line array, put on sticks with subs. The subs were unnecessary, the speakers poorly placed and inadequate to cover the room. They didn't have the height to fill the room and instead blasted the people closest to them. Those people as a result rotated them to face the wall, creating slap back. The projectors were barely passable in their lumen output, it would have also helped to either ring the room or have delays set up.

Finally, during the special, it might also help to have a couple headsets, either radios or ClearCom systems set up to facilitate communications.

I'm willing to aid in the quote process, operation, execution, and if required, might be able to source the gear and do the show load in. Please contact me.

[Crowface]

I don't know much about audio but if I had to guess the microphones used during the Specials for announcements were unidirectional and the HQ staff could use some coaching and practice in using those. People kept telling them to speak louder, speak softer, etc. when it's really more about pointing it at their mouths properly.

That said I appreciate everyone's efforts and had a great time.

[Wraithkin]

Crowface wrote:

I don't know much about audio but if I had to guess the microphones used during the Specials for announcements were unidirectional and the HQ staff could use some coaching and practice in using those. People kept telling them to speak louder, speak softer, etc. when it's really more about pointing it at their mouths properly.

That said I appreciate everyone's efforts and had a great time.

Sure SM58, Unidirectional, basically, the industry standard.

3 JBL line array cabinets on sticks floor mounted under soffits, placed roughly at head height was honestly the issue, though projection by the individual speaking didn't help. I literally do this stuff 5-7 days a week.

[Crowface]

I wasn't disagreeing, just adding my 2 cents that I feel like the staff could use your professional guidance. :)

(While at the same time not bashing the staff, I know they are doing their best!)

[TetsujinOni]

Wraithkin, I'm not sure to what extent we are limited by the venue on who we can source AV gear from, but I'll definitely make sure the HQ Planning team knows to poke into this thread and to get in touch with you. (I was going to push my wife to comment on it in our staff followup email thread, but she's been out of sound reinforcement since college...)

Comments for the peanut gallery:

That was definitely a SM58 or clone for the mixing system. There was also a 'house' system (permanent ICCLOS installation) that we didn't use due to its *ahem* inadequacies.

Wiring the Sagamore for reinforcement is definitely in professionals are useful realm. I'm not sure how the numbers would look versus the budget we as a campaign can burn, though... It's definitely desirable in my opinion.

[Wraithkin]

TetsujinOni wrote:

but I'll definitely make sure the HQ Planning team knows to poke into this thread and to get in touch with you.

So, I've booked my time off around shows and figured it was time to cast raise thread. The last three years I've been your informal assist on all matters AV. I handle some of the issues you've had with connecting to the laptop and done some basic EQ on your sound system. If you are starting to look at getting a quote from a company, I do not mind reviewing their quote to provide you with some insight to cost vs performance.

My full time job is literally just running shows, from design, to load in, operations, and strike. My company is a number of hotels around the area and I'm not trying to be a shill, just ensure that we have a solid experience that isn't detracted from by your sound and video.

I can provide you with my personal or professional email and am passionate about AV.

[Paz]

Wraithkin: I'd suggest e-mailing someone at Paizo directly through the Contact Us page, probably Tonya Woldridge (Organised Play Coordinator).

[Gleaming Terrier]

Wraithkin, I hope you're not posting this from a job site right now. I work in PSAV HR. :D

But seriously, as someone who does work at the company, this is a pretty sweet offer. ICC isn't a PSAV location, so an independent AV tech vetting things is a nice ace in the hole.

[godsDMit]

Matt Lewis wrote:

Wraithkin: I'd suggest e-mailing someone at Paizo directly through the Contact Us page, probably Tonya Woldridge (Organised Play Coordinator).

+1

[Majuba]

godsDMit wrote:

Matt Lewis wrote:

Wraithkin: I'd suggest e-mailing someone at Paizo directly through the Contact Us page, probably Tonya Woldridge (Organised Play Coordinator).

+1

Perhaps Tonya and Jeff Alvarez.

[Red-Assassin]

The IASTE Local 30 has done most of the labor in the past.

I think likely Paizo has been renting the speakers from the ICC.

[Wraithkin]

Gleaming Terrier wrote:

Wraithkin, I hope you're not posting this from a job site right now. I work in PSAV HR. :D

But seriously, as someone who does work at the company, this is a pretty sweet offer. ICC isn't a PSAV location, so an independent AV tech vetting things is a nice ace in the hole.

I wasn't at the time. I am now however. =D on lunch break on my personal computer. I'm the Video Tech Specialist of Southern California. What area are you in?

[Gleaming Terrier]

HR in Schiller Park. If you need your UltiPro password reset, I'm your man.

[Tonya Woldridge]

I appreciate all the offers of assistance. I am looking into what we can/cannot do and will let ya know. One of the biggest issues we got during Gen Con feedback was the A/V component of the special.