Audio hardware for music exams

[MkII]

A little peed off here that when asked expressed no interest in keeping our old video conferencing setup - quite comprehensive well specced kit if 20+ years old now.

 

Now we're saying that he's never heard a better setup for music exams and we need to buy a state of the art replacement with excellent stereo separation.

 

 

I spent a day untangling the old loom. It predates me, and no one here knew how it was put together besides turning it all on and controlling it via an LCD touch screen media control device. Music teacher tried to put it together last year but blew the amp (hopefully that just a small fuse) and thought one of the satellite speakers was blown. We resorted to a HiFi system borrowed from a friend.

 

So anyway... (sorry for the long post) ..what to people do? For languages we've been successfully using laptops with user supplied headphones. Do you have a dedicated system?

 

Thanks

[PotNoodleTech]

It depends which room the exam is scheduled in here. If it's the hall then we use the existing hall PA system which sounds decent enough.

 

If it's a random room we have a portable PA system, though it wasn't a very expensive one and doesn't sound amazing. I am very into hifi at home and so it wouldn't be difficult to buy a pair of active studio monitors and get a really awesome sounding setup for under £1k. But there's never any money (ironic given the exams budget is more than almost all the other departments put together).

 

I used to feel sorry for the kids and bring my own Genelec monitors in for the music exams, but I've moved them on so that's no longer an option.

 

My advice would be a CD player, A volume controller of some kind and a pair of active monitors with 8" woofer. Don't have to spend too much to get a far better sound than the usual PA system / Promethean active board speakers.

[MkII]

Thanks very much

 

We usually have it the one small room here, although the ability to re-locate might go down well. Music just spent a £5k grant - shame they didn't spec a decent setup out of that. I'm not into audio hardware at all - any particular make to look out for?

[SamanthaD]

If you're after "decent stereo separation" beware most of the cheap PA systems available from the likes of CPC. They are most likely to sum the L&R channels into mono and only have 1 amp driving both speakers, which is why they're cheap!

 

Powered speakers might be a good shout - but could offer too much control at each individual speaker for individuals to play with (Music teacher decides it needs more top end - adjusts one by +6db and the other by +2db, then it's your fault the stereo image was ruined). Also got to get power to each of them, and you can't ever use them outside!

 

Recommendations often go hand in hand with budget, especially in schools. I've found what looks to be a good PA system on Thomann here - mixer amp (with 2 amplifier channels = proper stereo), full range speakers (12" + 1") and 10m cables (Speakon style - approx 15m between speakers should give you stereo separation!). Add a playback device to suit. More than powerful enough for most school halls and lots of options, but still looks quite simple to use. Might be a little too big if it's going to only be used for exams in a small room though. However a multi-use, portable system is going to be more value for money than a dedicated setup in 1 room, so more likely to get the purse strings opened.

 

Whatever you do, make sure you check with the Music Teacher and get them to agree on it before ordering. Worst thing is to give them a solution and they come back saying they're not happy with it. If they really want top end kit then just ask them if they have £10k+ and point them to d&b audiotechnik. Might focus the mind, and show you've done a little homework!

[MkII]

We have a decent PA system in the school hall - but would never use that for music exams - we only have half a dozen pupils at a time at most!!

Teach did buy a mixer recently. And some monitor speakers. Would they be of any use (I'll get details)

[Andycat]

They'd do fine I'm sure. Ours still use a ghetto blaster!

[MkII]

Can't hear the separation and you get marks for saying which instruments are where!!

[Andycat]

Can't hear the separation and you get marks for saying which instruments are where!!

 

Depends which board you do...