A Q&A with Technical Elements on a Recent Project

Planning a large-scale event can be daunting, especially when it comes to integrating complex audiovisual elements that make your event shine. Technical Elements is a leader in professional audio services, bringing excellence to events in Atlanta and nationwide. We recently took on such a challenge in the State Farm Arena. 

Here’s an inside look at how our expert team crafted an unforgettable auditory experience through the insights of our audio guru, Bobby D. While it may seem effortless in retrospect, a lot of blood, sweat, and tears went into creating this stellar event, so keep reading to learn more!

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How involved was the client in the project?

From the get-go, the client was deeply involved. This was their first event of this size, and at this particular venue, so they leaned on our knowledge of the space and experience with a show this size to design and deploy the audio system. 

We worked closely together to tailor the PA and stage package to perfectly fit their unique vision. The result was an audio system that was on point in every aspect.

What do you look for when assessing a venue’s acoustics and layout?

Acoustics in large venues can be tricky, and often, we have to work with what we’re given. We focus on the venue’s size, seating layout, and PA rigging points. Using mapping software, we strategically steer the PA away from obstacles and subpar surfaces to optimize sound distribution. It’s the best way to ensure the best possible auditory experience for our clients and their guests.

What challenges did you anticipate, and were there any surprises?

There were a couple of client requests that the audio team had to take into account. The main challenge was a request for a 40-foot-long T-shape stage extension off the front of the main stage. Having microphones at the right volume in front of the PA has the potential to become an audio engineer’s worst nightmare because of feedback. Luckily, we were able to overcome this by tuning, aligning, and adjusting the volume of the line array boxes.

One solution was to add front-fill speakers along the front of the stage to cover any gaps left by having to aim the PA away from shooting straight into the artists’ and speakers’ microphones.

We also overcame another unexpected hurdle: the placement of video screens, which could have blocked the sound. We solved this concern before it became an issue by raising and curving our left and right out-fill arrays to ensure sound coverage without obstruction in the outer seating areas.

How did you integrate the sound system with other AV elements?

Integration is key, especially with video elements. For this event, we had online streaming, so we implemented distributed audio throughout the venue and multi-track recording. By coordinating with a broadcast engineer to share inputs across the front-of-house and monitor desks, we were able to have seamless live streams and recordings. 

Why did you choose specific brands or equipment?

We opted for DiGiCo audio consoles due to their incredible ecosystem and flexibility. They make it easy to handle last-minute input/output changes from each music artist, which is common for large event production. 

Shure’s digital microphones and in-ear monitoring systems have incredible range, audio quality, frequency flexibility, reliability, and clarity. For the PA, we went with JBL’s A series for their exceptional sound mapping capabilities, so every attendee enjoyed the same quality of sound, regardless of their seat location.

What testing and calibration procedures do you follow?

We employ tools from various brands that can be used to catch things that may be missed with the human ear.  If we hadn’t been equipped with the right tools, the PA and RF systems could have suffered from any number of issues, so we would never have skipped the testing and calibration steps. Rigorous testing is essential for all of our events, no matter their size.

Did you incorporate any new or exciting features in this project?

A unique addition was the use of five 19-inch subwoofers behind the main PA to enhance low-end sound for seats in the upper seating areas. This isn’t something that’s often called for, but to address “lobing” or dead zones in sound coverage, we made sure to do this. We also set up a cardioid configuration for our subs to minimize the amount of low-end onstage volume, enhancing both audience and performer experiences.

Transform Your Next Event with Professional Audio Services

At Technical Elements, our goal is to simplify the complex. Working with us means you have a partner every step of the way—from planning and design to execution and troubleshooting. This recent event is just one example of how we tailor our event design, strategy, and production services to meet and exceed our client’s expectations. We can do the same for you!

Let’s begin planning your next event!