As a music consultant I would like to suggest that at good sound system is vital in any restaurant or bar operation as bad sound can be off putting to customers and potentially harm an otherwise excellent experience.
Of course, the system should be appropriate to the style and size of venue, integrated into the interior design and work within the budget available. To achieve this, I would advise speaking with an experienced Audio Installation company who have worked within the hospitality industry.
In my experience the main factors affecting the design and cost of a sound system are –
- The style, size and layout of the venue
- The methods of delivering music i.e. hard drive, live music or DJs
- The interior design and acoustic properties of the venue
- The purpose of the music i.e. quiet background, lively foreground or dance floor
- The perceived importance of music and sound to the success of the venue
Over the years the technology available to sound engineers including digital audio processing and loudspeaker design, has developed considerably and means that they can create brilliant sounding systems that look great and are easy to use. However, to achieve this they need to fully understand the project and be involved in the design and build process.
One of the biggest challenges for an audio engineer is working in acoustically difficult spaces that have a high proportion of hard surfaces that cause audio waves to reflect throughout the venue. If this is not dealt with then the environment can sound terrible with every voice, piece of cutlery dropped, and drinks blender being heard throughout the venue. The resulting noise can really affect the guest experience so an Acoustic Engineer should be consulted for solutions.
For a venue that has background music, live music and DJs the sound system will normally consist of –
- Background Music Player
- Amp Rack (System Processor, Amplifiers)
- Source Selectors and Volume Control
- Speakers
- DJ Kit normally includes a Mixer, CDJS, Turntables or a Digital DJ Controller.
- Live Music Kit normally includes a Mixer, Instruments (i.e. Piano), Vocal Microphones, Microphone Stands, and a Monitor Speaker.
A well-designed sound system will ensure quality sound throughout the venue, will be easy to use by the managers and be adaptable to the different times of day.
A typical venue will want the daytime music to be clearly heard but allow guests to enjoy their conversation without raising their voices. In the evening the volumes may be raised a little to help create a more upbeat atmosphere, but the sound of lively conversation should also contribute to this atmosphere. If there are separate bar and restaurant areas, then the sound system should be set up with different audio zones to allow for different volumes in each area.
For a venue that provides musical entertainment, live musicians or DJs, then the importance of the sound system increases as it needs to ensure the performances create the desired atmosphere. An overly loud DJ or too quiet musician can be equally annoying to guests who want to enjoy their night out.
Hopefully the above has helped you appreciate the importance of a good sound system and if you would like to discuss further then please get in touch and “Let’s Talk About Music”.