r/audiovisual

So I’m looking into getting my foot in the door with being a freelance audio technician but I’m not sure exactly what the best way to do that is or if my qualifications are quite up to snuff yet.

I have my degree in music education and have been working full-time as an elementary music teacher for the past 3 years; I enjoy it but want to try getting into a career where I can grow my salary a bit more feasibly and gain more connections within the music/audio industry. I’ve also been working part-time as an audio technician at my church for about 2.5 years, have an amateur in-home studio, and am decently trained in Logic Pro X and Adobe Premier.
I’ve also grown up around a lot of audio technology as my dad composes, arranges, and produces music (freelance) and have been performing on a multitude of instruments for over 20 years. 

Do you think this is an adequate background for beginning a career in freelance audio work? I’d like to spend more time gaining experience through my church as my boss tends to take care of all of the major audio bugs and glitches so I know that I at least don’t feel entirely confident to solve every problem that can come up. I want to at least “intern” under him this summer; do you think that I will gain enough experience from something like that or should I shop around as well?

I’ve already gotten some positive feedback from some of the Event/Technology groups in my area (Chattanooga) but I’m worried about feeling like a fish out of water being that I have limited professional experiences and lack a degree in this field.

Any advice or suggestions?

Also any estimates for what I should expect to earn would also be helpful.

Thank y’all!

Hey y'all! It's my first time writing a post in this group, so bare with me. I'll keep it as brief as possible.

So I recently just got a job offer from RPM A-V Services, Inc. I was pretty excited about it because I've been wanting to join an AV-focused company to gain more direct hands-on AV exposure and experience.

On paper, I am still considered a bit of a novice/entry-level, based on work experience. I got my working as a Stagehand for live events, then got my first official AV job as an in-house AV tech for a hotel, then went off to join an IT contractor for about a year, joined a Best Buy custom install team for a bit, and now I currently work as an AV Operations Tech for a school district.

I am honestly not too fulfilled or satisfied with my current job working for the school district. While the income is steady and reliable, and I do get the occasional school holidays off, along with all the other benefits working as a full-time district employee such as teacher retirement, the work itself isn't something that is advancing my knowledge or skills with AV systems. It basically just preventative maintenance, with occasional audio setups for school events.

However, I am starting to get cold feet with the job offer for a couple reasons. Stability and consistency being main factors. For one, the RPM office in my state is about an hour and a half away from where I live, that's including traffic. And the travel aspect, while I am not totally against as i actually do like to travel occasionally, and that's basically what I did with Best Buy custom install, the travel requirements for RPM do seem to be a bit more demanding along with the hours of work 45-50 hrs a week. I'd basically be sacrificing a lot of my personal with RPM as opposed to my job with the school district. I'd also be getting paid a couple bucks less than what I'm making at my current job due to the position i was offered as an installer, and most likely due to the weekly pay period. And knowing how private sector business works, hours can fluctuate a lot. I was even told during the interview that RPM went through a bit of a setback due to the current economic crisis. Where as with a school system, job security is pretty much guaranteed unless you were to do something egregious worth being terminated for.

I also found out during the interview that RPM doesn't allow their employees to transfer to other AV integrators that they do business with, due to "contractional obligations" or something of the sort. And while RPM does offer on-the-job training and even resources to train and study for AV certs such as the CTS, Extron programs, etc., and has does still have opportunities for in-job promotions such as working as a field engineer or a lead technician, it does still negate the want to move up in the AV industry by not allowing works to work for other integrators in the future.

All in all, I basically want to know from anyone who cares to respond to this on what move I should consider. Should I take the offer with RPM, or stick with my job with the school district for now until I can something a bit more suitable for me?

I've honestly been thinking of instead finding a more local AV integrator (such as AWS: Atlanta Soundworks in my case given that they are contracted with my school district and I've already connected with some of the workers from there) or Baker AV or AVI-SPL etc., and try to work with one of them as a freelancer while keeping the stability of my current job. I am also actively working on AV online courses such as the Extron EAVA, Q-SYS Lv. 1, and studying for my CTS. I also hold Dante Lv. 1-3 certs and the AVIXA-Recognized AV Technologist certification.

Sorry if this still ended up being too long. I just want to make sure I'm making the right choice without being too hasty. Again, you can probably tell I'm still fairly new to all of this.

Any feedback will be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

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[TLDR: I got a job offer from an AV company, but am starting to get hesitant on accepting the offer due to concerns of stability, consistency, and personal life balance. Second guessing on instead working as a freelancer for a local AV integrator while keeping my current full-time job.]

Hi all, I'm working with a small team to run community events indoors. We're tired of having tech issues going between different venues and want to streamline the process by being able to bring our own gear, as compact and "plug-and-play" as possible.

We need a projector (AC and/or battery powered) which can play presentations and short videos with sound, and have at least 2 microphones and speaker for host/audience interaction.

My initial thoughts are:
JBL Partybox Encore Essential2 with 2x wireless JBL microphones, giving us the option to link to additional JBL speakers if needed.

... but when it comes to projectors I am basically clueless!! I have looked at the most recommended portable models, but I wonder about compatibility - we'd be connecting to a laptop or iPad or USB stick.

Obviously the cheaper the better, but willing to consider all options.
These events are sometimes run with no access to WiFi, if that makes a difference.
Is there an all-in-one hosting package for small events like this?

Thanks, this boggles my outdated semi-tech savvy mind.

Hey there everyone!

I recently inherited a bunch of old laptops. I've been trying to repurpose them or at least parts for show controls and some media servers but was wondering if anyone on here had some ideas of what I could turn some of these into? Any cool custom AV toys I can build with one?

TLDR: I need to make camera mic audio sound like audio that was recorded through a microphone, into an audio board, then routed into a recording device (Pearl Mini).

(Hospitality, btw)
I had a show last week where we were recording every session in multiple rooms. In one of the rooms, on the last day for that room, the technician that I hired to tech that room somehow turned the only mic that was being used all the way down on the mix that was being sent to the recording device (Pearl Mini). This tech also somehow failed to confirm that the board audio was being sent to the camera, so the only audio we have from this session is the camera’s mic audio, which sounds terrible, especially when you listen side by side to what the audio SHOULD have sounded like.

Now, this tech did notice halfway through the 30 minute session and turned the audio up on the mix being sent to the Pearl Mini, so we at least have that. My question to all of you is: is there a program I could put both these audios in, have it listen, and make the terrible audio sound closer to the good audio? I’ve already tried tweaking this audio myself, and nothing I do can make it acceptable to pass onto the client. At this point, as much as I hate to admit it, I’m even willing to consider AI. I just don’t know what my options are, as I’ve never had to deal with something like this before.

I told the client I’d have their recordings to them by Friday, so I’ve still got some time to figure this out.

Any advice/suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Hey everyone,

I'm looking for some unfiltered perspective on working for the massive national integrators versus smaller boutique firms or independent paths.

1. Does having a giant company name on your resume actually carry significant weight if your ultimate goal is to pivot into specialized technical roles (like control programming or system design) down the road? Or does your specific project portfolio matter more to employers?
2. In your experience, how realistic is internal mobility at the corporate giants? Do they genuinely fast-track people who show technical aptitude up the ladder, or do people usually get pigeonholed into the specific department they were hired into?

Appreciate any insights from veterans who have been on both sides.

What are the struggles and challenges for someone pivoting from Music Ed. And Production to A/V Project Management? How do you make your Masters Program and PMP work for you?

Hi, I'm looking for a multi zone (7 zones)sound system for my salon. I'd like built in ceiling speakers. I want something so each stylist can play their own music in their suite and then another zone for waiting area. We will have an iPad at front desk they can choose music on there or from their phones. I know nothing about amps, receivers, etc. Very new to all of this. I'd like it very budget and user friendly. Or do you think if they each had their own bluetooth speaker in their room that would sound good enough? I don't want to spend a lot on this but I also want it to sound good. Any ideas?

Hey guys, i’m looking to buy a projector for my bedroom! Max i’m willing to spend is around $1,000 or $1,100. Any recommendations? I really want it to have some sort of smart tv feature like google tv so i don’t have to go out and buy any extra attachments for it. I also would use it both day and night, so definitely something that will still show up well in a room that’s not completely dark. :) I’ve tried to do my own research, but there’s so many sponsored posts out there, i don’t know who or what to trust anymore. 😭 Don’t know if this detail matters, but i do plan on mounting it to my ceiling. Thank you! Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated.

Hey everyone,

Tired of manufacturer calculators that only work for their own gear? I’ve spent the last few months building AV TOOLS PRO, a centralized, platform-agnostic engineering suite designed for the modern AV/IT specialist.

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The Complete 19-Tool Engineering Suite:

Video & Display Engineering:

1. AVoIP Bandwidth Calculator: Analyzes data rates for NDI, SDVoE, and custom multicast streams based on resolution, frame rate, and chroma subsampling.
2. Projector Brightness & Throw: Calculates required Lumens (fL) based on ambient light levels and validates throw distances for lens selection.
3. Display Brightness Calculator: Uses the Inverse Square Law to determine the required display nits/fL for clear visibility in high-ambient light environments.
4. Display Viewing Angle: Calculates optimal seating positions and viewing distances following AVIXA DISCAS standards for image quality.
5. DvLED Pixel Pitch: Determines the optimal LED pitch (mm) to avoid pixellation based on the closest viewer's distance and desired resolution.
6. Video Wall Controller: Maps out processor requirements, I/O counts, and canvas sizing for complex multi-input display systems.
7. Video Wall Builder: A visual tool to design tiled display arrays, calculating total bezel-to-bezel dimensions and power requirements.
8. Display Size (BDM/ADM): Professional screen sizing tool using the Basic Decision Making (BDM) and Analytical Decision Making (ADM) content standards.
9. Camera Distance (DORI): Calculates camera placement and lens requirements using IEC 62676-4 (Detection, Observation, Recognition, Identification) benchmarks.
10. .Audio Data Rate & Bandwidth: Real-time bandwidth tracking for Dante, AES67, and Milan streams based on sample rate and channel count.
11. Speaker Design (EPR): Calculates Equivalent Pink Noise (EPR) and amplifier sizing to ensure consistent SPL coverage across the listening area.
12. Speaker Cable Calculator: Determines the required wire gauge (AWG) to keep power loss under 5%, factoring in NEC ampacity and distance limits.
13. DSP System Design: A documentation tool for matrix gain structure, AEC tail lengths, system latency, and I/O routing.
14. Cable Conduit Capacity: Calculates fill-ratios (40% rule) and required conduit trade sizes for complex bundles of Cat6, Fiber, and Power.
15. PoE Budget Calculator: Tracks power draw across network switches and injectors to ensure compliance with 802.3af/at/bt power classes.
16. Rack Cooling & BTU: Aggregates equipment wattage to calculate total thermal load (BTU/hr) and required airflow (CFM) for the equipment room.
17. Rack Builder: A visual layout tool to design equipment racks while ensuring proper spacing, weight distribution, and thermal management.
18. Professional IP Planner: A network documentation engine with auto-conflict detection, VLAN tagging, and CSV assignment export.
19. Enterprise UPS Sizing: Our advanced tool to calculates capacity, runtime, Heat Load (BTU/hr), and Input Breaker Sizing for UPS sizing coordination.

Advanced Reporting & Exports

I know how important documentation is for project closeouts. Most of the advanced tools (like UPS, IP Planner, and Rack Builder) include Professional PDF Export and CSV/Excel capabilities so you can attach high-fidelity engineering reports directly to your project submittals.

Why use this for your designs?

• Engineering Standards: Everything is built on AVIXA, IEC, or NEC formulas.
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Please check it out, I’d love to hear your feedback on what other professional parameters would be useful for your next project!

 

Hello people!

I’m the FM for a mid-sized firm, and I’m hitting a wall (literally and figuratively) with our current office acoustics.

The Space:

We have a very modern, high-aesthetic layout. Think: lots of glass partitions instead of traditional drywall and a very wide-open floor plan. Undeniably, the office looks exceptionally beautiful but admittedly the noise leakage is one heck of a nightmare!

The Problem:

Employees are complaining that the office is "distractingly loud." We need a solution that actually works to "blur" conversations and drop the noise floor without being an annoying hiss. The glass panels just reflect everything and the partitions we DO have are just absolutely useless. The office urgently requires some privacy for effectively managing sensitive information as well as enhancing the overall ability to focus.

What I’ve Seen Before:

Before anyone goes and suggests Biamp, I’ve actually witnessed the Biamp options in real time (my old workplace had the Qt (Quiet technology) system installed). However, I was extremely surprised to see that it is revered industry wide because the noise that it emits is extremely harsh and noticeable. You could genuinely hear the noise go in and out as you walked around the office/down the corridors. It was actually a prevalent complaint at my last workplace, so I would like to find something that is actually science-backed and effective.

Has anyone moved away from Biamp to something more sophisticated? I am open to all suggestions for high-end, reliable sound masking. Thanks in advance!

I got the opportunity to be AV Tech for my local hockey arena where my NHL team plays. This was a HUGE opportunity for me and on my first day I got to help with setting up the stage for a touring artist, and on that same day, help with dismanting said stage after the performance was over. In my company, we were all assigned to certain aspects of the process: Lighting, audio, the stage itself, etc., and me and a bunch of other people were under supervision of one lead. We're usually supposed to remain idle until told otherwise when we have a task to do and not wander around. A senior addressed the matter to this, and I listened and corrected that behavior accordingly.

But then, while we were loading all the equipment onto loading trucks, I (along with another person) was asked to follow someone. (He wasn't the manager btw) After he wrote our exit times on the sign-up sheet, he told us "You're not coming back here", claiming that us "wandering around the place like we don't know shit" (or something, idk) made them not trust us. I wasn't even given the chance to correct that behavior for future gigs. Even though I had another lead tell me not to do the same thing and give me a chance to do that. And now that chance gets robbed of me.

I feel like an absolute joke.

I’m not an AV tech, but a teacher at a university. One of our lav mics broke in a presentation hall, and we’re trying to replace it in time for an important course next week. Official support does exist but would take long and is quite flaky, because this system was originally installed by a third party. We have contact with the original installer, but in the meantime we’re just looking for a quick fix.

The details of the system:

The transmitter where the mic is plugged in is a wireless AKG PT470 transmitter. (Mini XLR input). This connects with a AKG SR 470 receiver and ultimately an RCF AM1000 MK2 Series P.A Amplifier.

We currently have a Sennheiser HS2 headband style mic which works fine, but we need a lav mic for the upcoming course.

We’ve received an Omnitronic MOM-10BT4 lav mic from the institution earlier, but this one is very quiet (unusable), even with the gain control on the receivers put on the highest. Did we get an incompatible mic? Is something wrong with our settings? The same exact settings and hardware worked fine for our previous lav mic (which unfortunately was taken away, so we don’t know the model) or the HS-2 headband style mic.

 

What kind of other lav mic can we buy? What are the specs we should look out for to see if it’s compatible?

Hey everyone!
If you’ve ever done a presentation on an LED wall, you know the pain — the speaker pulls out their laser pointer, confidently draws circles in the air, and absolutely nobody sees anything on screen.
We’re AV professionals from Budapest and this drove us crazy enough to actually build a solution. GYROCUE uses gyroscopic technology instead of a laser — the pointer shows up directly in the presentation software, so it works on LED walls, projected screens, whatever you’re throwing content at. Gyrocue.com
Mechanical switches, built for live event use. We use it on our own shows.
Anyone else been in that awkward “uh, can everyone see my pointer?” moment mid-event?

So much, that they will make the AV Tech company not even give you a chance to correct it, and instantly lose trust in you completely and NEVER want anything to do with you again?

And DEFINITELY won't take ignorance as an excuse either.