The right public address (PA) system not only helps enhance a public speaking engagement, but allows the speaker to not have to rely on the sound equipment of a venue. A battery powered PA system allows for both flexibility and portability. Here are some other features to look for:
Mixers
With each speaker being separated by channel, laid out in a vertical strip, dedicated to equalization, controlling the volume and the amount of effect being applied. A mixing console is designed to balance the overall sound between microphones to be amplified through monitors or speakers.
Equalizers
An equalizer is tone control. They allow you to dial in bass, treble adjustments and mid-range. Parametric and stand alone graphic equalizers provide increased flexibility in tailoring the frequency content of audio signals. They can adjust the amplitude of audio signals of certain frequencies so the frequency-specific volume knobs can control the tone.
Faders
This is a sliding control found on the mixer. It organizes each channel’s bus and level assignments. It also has mute and solo buttons that allow a speaker to isolate what’s going on in each channel. It can be analog – which directly controls the resistance or impedance to the source or digital – numerically controlling a digital signal processor. Digital faders can also be referred to as virtual faders, since they can be seen on a screen.
These are just a few components you might find in a PA system. It may take awhile to navigate even the simplest of PAs, but they will enhance your speaking engagement significantly. Depending on the size of the venue you might be speaking at, you might need something small that can be carried in a suitcase which would be around $400 or if your venue is much larger you’d have to consider something larger starting at $1,000.
A battery powered PA system is usually lightweight and allows for an uncomplicated set-up while still delivering high performance sound. They are ideal all-in-one machines whether you are speaking at a school, conference or seminar. Look for something that contains a high capacity battery that can last up to 10 hours, so that you can rehearse and speak at the engagement all on a single charge.