What is pa hire?

What is pa hire?

Learn what the term PA hire actually means with the help of the experts at CVS.

PA, not ‘personal assistant’ in the events or sound industry, traditionally stands for ‘Public Address’ or ‘Professional Audio’. Whether you call it PA hire or sound hire it is usually one and the same. It is the art of sound reinforcement or amplifying audio significantly louder than its usual volume. Like Wikipedia’s definition ‘PA’: “A public address system (PA system) is an electronic and distribution system with a microphone, amplifier and loudspeakers, used to allow a person to address a large public, for example for announcements of movements at large and noisy air and rail terminals.” Most people think that PA equipment is quite niche or specialist to just a few of us, but almost everyone is exposed to PA at most times of the day, especially when we are out and about. Music being played in shops or announcements being made at work, in a supermarket, or on a train platform all use PA. You might not always be able to see the equipment due to clever installation, but it is definitely there.

However, in the world of events, people hire PA systems & Hire Sound equipment everyday to get their message heard at conferences, exhibitions, fashion shows, weddings and more, usually via speech or music. Hiring PA equipment is usually more economical for private clients, companies and venues. They do not have the need or budget to buy the various bits of equipment usually needed for a full PA system as well as maintenance, storage and insurance facilities. Several venues across London & the surrounding counties use CVS International for PA hire and Sound hire to meet the requirements of their various clients such as Holiday Inn who have used our PA hire for many years for different business meetings and conferences, networking receptions & all other events held at their hotels.

The factors that must be taken into consideration when putting together a PA Hire or Sound Hire package are:

• Audience size
• Venue size
• Venue acoustics
• Ambient noise levels
• Number of microphones

Additional audio sources such as:

• Laptops
• iPods
• DVD Players
• Instruments

Why Invest in Audio Visual Hire?

Whether your event is large or small, it is important that everyone in attendance can see and hear properly. If people struggle to see or hear then they might miss important things, or not enjoy themselves fully, depending on the nature of the event. If it is a concert, then not being able to see or hear properly ruins the experience and could result in customers asking for their money back and your company getting a bad reputation. If it is a conference or meeting, then some attendees may miss important points, which could also negatively affect your business.

It is clear, therefore, that certain businesses may need AV facilities, but why use a company that provides audio visual hire instead of purchasing equipment?

Firstly, depending on how often the equipment needs to be used, buying your own could be a considerable and unnecessary expense. On top of the costs of the equipment itself, you will also need to pay for maintenance and repair and storage of the equipment. This could drive costs up even more, making it more economically viable to look into audio visual hire instead.

Secondly, depending on the level of expertise at your company, if you buy equipment then you may run into a number of technical difficulties that you do not know how to solve. This could cause equipment to be set up incorrectly, possibly leading to malfunctions, and could mean that problems are misdiagnosed leading to unnecessary costs in fixing problems that may not exist. If you employ the services of an audio visual hire company, however, then they will often set up and check all of the equipment for you. This leaves you with peace of mind knowing that your event will run as smoothly as possible and that it is unlikely to run into technical difficulties. If you are unfortunate enough to have technical difficulties, then the knowledge and expertise of the team will prove helpful again as they can quickly diagnose and solve problems for you.

If you would like more information, or have any enquires for an audio visual hire company, then visit CVS international today.

Sound System Hire - What to Consider

Putting on a gig is a very involved job and you will have many things to consider if you want to ensure that your event is a success. Sound system hire is one of the most important things that you’ll need to consider. If a band is using a sound system that doesn’t meet their needs then they won’t sound very good at all, and there will probably be a lot of feedback too. This will lead to the band feeling very unhappy and not performing their best, and it could even lead to audience members leaving and even asking for their money back. You need to ensure that the sound quality is perfect and this means calling in the experts. Cheap PAs never sound good, so if you want to ensure the success of your gig then it’s always best to look into sound system hire.

What do you need?
When you work with a professional sound engineer they will be able to listen to exactly what it is that you’re putting on and decide what you need from there. But your basic requirements will include a full PA rig with speakers, monitors and a desk, and all the relevant wiring to connect it all. You will also need microphones, leads and stands. The band will generally turn up with their own backline which includes guitar amps, bass amps and very often drum mics too. Each band has slightly different needs when it comes to equipment, so you should always ensure that you get a copy of their technical spec before the event.

Information to give the sound engineer
When you are looking into sound system hire, you will be asked several questions about your event. Be ready to tell them what sort of band it is, what the line-up is, what the venue capacity is and of course all of the logistical information such as when and where the event is taking place. The more information you can give them, the more likely you are to get exactly what you need.

Sound system hire is always best done through the professionals, and the experts at CVS International are on hand to help and advise you on your individual requirements. Give them a call today to talk through your needs and they will be delighted to answer your queries and address any concerns.

How to arrange audio visual hire for your event, wedding or function.

When planning an event, wedding or function there will of course be a very long list of things which need to be given careful consideration. Once the big things such as date, venue and guest list have been finalised, it’s time to start thinking of the details. And of all these details, one thing that you really need to put some thought into is your audio visual hire. Read on to find out how to obtain the perfect rig for your event.

Audio visual hire for a speaker
If your event features a speaker (or you just want to set up a microphone for the speeches at your wedding) then you need a PA (public address system). You’ll need a simple set up; just some speakers on stands, a microphone and stand and some leads to connect it all up. You will also need a desk to get the right balance of sound.

Audio visual hire for music
If your event is to feature live music, then a little more thought needs to be put in. You’ll probably need to take some advice from a sound expert; it’s not worth guessing as the chances are you’ll end up with the wrong set up for your requirements. A string quartet may require nothing more than an ambient mic set up to increase the overall volume, whereas a full rock band will require a full PA with large speakers. If you are using a band then check with them first as they may already have a PA that they travel with, but beware that it may not be the best quality so if you are in any doubt then it’s always better to hire your own. The band will generally provide their own amps.

Think about the venue
A venue with high ceilings and wooden floors will provide many sound challenges so you’ll need to think about this first. If your venue is smaller and there is carpet then you will probably find it easier to get a good sound. It’s always best to speak with a sound expert if you are in any doubt at all, and generally it is a good idea to hire a sound person along with the audio visual hire because they will know how to operate it and get the best sound for the room.

The professionals at CVS International are well-versed in all areas of audio visual hire and they’ll be delighted to talk you through your options. Give them a call today or visit their website for more information.

HAE Awards Event Recognises Audio Visual Hire Excellence

On the 18th of April, the Hire Association Europe (HAE) is planning to host a major awards event which not only celebrates excellence within the audio visual hire industry, but also the 40th anniversary of the organisation’s creation.

Businesses from across the industry, including audio visual hire providers and associated firms, will receive awards across a number of categories, while guests will be treated to a champagne reception and a three-course meal at a prestigious location in central London.

HAE spokesperson Graham Arundell said that the highly prized awards were a great way of recognising suppliers and hire firms for their successes throughout the year.

HAE not only operates these annual awards to give special mention to businesses and individuals within the industry, but also runs a membership scheme to which companies can apply in order to show that they adhere to a high standard for service quality, giving customers peace of mind.

HAE members must stick to a rigorous code of conduct, as well as committing to uphold the responsibilities laid out in the SafeHire standard.

In addition, these audio visual hire providers will be certain to provide clients with insurance options to appropriately cover any equipment and staff they procure, while being linked to a national network of supporting organisations that can help one another in the event of an issue arising.

Members of the HAE are worth choosing because they provide a wide range of hiring opportunities that are both more cost-effective and environmentally sustainable than buying complicated equipment outright.
The work of the HAE, both in administering the network of members and running awards, is aimed at boosting the profile of deserving organisations while ensuring that customers and clients get the best possible experience when they require hire services.

The 2015 HAE Hire Awards of Excellence will be capped off by the presentation of the award for Hire Achiever of the Year, so it will be interesting to see which recipient is presented with this prize in April when all eyes in the industry are upon this event.

For HAE-approved audio visual hire opportunities, check out the rest of the site, where you can find all the information you need to get started.

The many uses of drape hire in event production and stage management.

When you are planning an event or function you’ll have your mind occupied with all the little details that there are to consider along the way. But don’t forget to include drape hire on you long list of things to do. It is a little detail that’s easily forgotten, but you’ll be so glad you remembered it on the day. In this article we’ll look at the many different benefits that hiring drapes brings to your event - read on to find out more.

An added air of elegance to the room
Drapes come in all sorts of different materials, but no matter which you choose you can be sure that they will add an air of elegance to the room in which your function is being held. Drapes look plush and regal and can transform the oldest village hall into a room which looks fit for a king. This is a very cheap way of converting a less-than-perfect room into the perfect venue for your event or production.

Great for blocking out light and dampening echoes
Drape hire is also a great idea because thick, good quality drapes can help to black out a room so that the full effect can be gained from the production or performance. Not only this, but drapes serve as a very useful barrier for dampening a room and reducing echo and natural reverb. This is a very important consideration if your event has an audio element - for example live music or people speaking. If a room has too much echo then you will find that it is hard for the sound to come across in the right way, but drapes dampen the room so that the acoustics are far friendlier to the ear.

Hide away things you don’t want people to see
When you are creating the venue for your event, drapes are also very useful for hiding things behind. For example, stacks of chairs and tables can be stowed behind the drapes when they are not in use. This keeps the amount of visible clutter to an absolute minimum and provides added storage for instrument cases, production equipment and all manner of other things.

If you are interested in looking into drape hire for your big event then it’s a great idea to call the professionals at CVS International. They have a wide range of drapes to hire and can advise you on your individual needs, talking you through their range and offering you plenty of help and advice along the way. Give them a call today!

Event Equipment Hire — Easy and Cost-Effective

Event organisers have a lot on their plate. Depending on the scale and type of event being organised, they will need to deal with hiring staff, catering, security, health and safety and many more factors. There are some aspects of event management, such as audio/visual presentation equipment or PA systems that most event managers just don't have the technical skills and knowledge to deal with themselves. How often have you been to an event and been unable to hear the speaker or been deafened by screeching feedback? This is where event equipment hire comes into its own.

What Can Be Hired?

Event equipment hire includes audio visual equipment, projection and display installations, sound systems, lighting and power, stages and sets, drapes and even interactive voting systems.

What Are the Advantages of Hiring Event Equipment?

If you hire equipment, you can have it delivered direct to the location of the event rather than having to transport it yourself. This saves time and money. Additionally, by hiring equipment you avoid the large initial outlay incurred by buying the apparatus yourself. An event equipment hire company will also have a range of solutions for hire, meaning that you can match the right equipment to the right occasion.

A good event equipment hire company will also be able to advise you on the best kit for your needs. They will be able to provide the technical knowledge to set up systems such as PAs and projection systems for you. By using a decent event hire company to install electrical equipment or stages, you know that it will be done safely, which gives you peace of mind.
By using hired equipment, you can make sure that exactly the right solution for the event is used every time, which improves the service you are providing to your clients.

Can Hiring Event Equipment Be Cost-Effective?

Using an equipment hire company means that you don't have to pay for expensive equipment that may only get used once or twice. If a plasma screen is dropped and smashes, it's not your problem. It also saves on transport costs and time spent on the logistics of getting everything to the right place at the right time.

Hiring complicated systems may also mean that you don't have to employ a member of staff to deal with the more technical side of events management.
Feel free to contact us if you have any questions.