These are notes from a presentation to ASWU requesting new sound equipment. Please note that this presentation focused heavily on the positives of such a requisition and didn't delve into the downsides. Remember to objectively consider both sides of the issue. Thanks.
Our Current Equipment
- Records indicate it was originally purchased in the mid-late 80’s
- Most recent update was in 1997 (mains & amps)
- It has provided the sound support for the campus for 20 years and is in need of extensive repair work or replacement.
Current State of Equipment
- The equipment is outdated and is breaking down from intense use
- Currently just adding peripherals will not noticeably improve the sound quality
- Each time it is set up the sound crew must troubleshoot and fix existing issues and work around the limitations of the hardware itself
- We cannot support the minimum requests of artists ASWU brings to campus
- The system cannot create the type of live sound environment that students and artists anticipate when at a concert.
- Events cannot provide the quality of service level that ASWU and visiting artists need
Proposed Upgrade
- Updating (modernizing) the equipment.
- The equipment cited has the equivalent to thousands of dollars worth of physical processing gear included within the operating software.
- The setup and troubleshooting time will be reduced and streamlined.
- We’d be expanding the capabilities of the hardware to accommodate bigger bands and larger shows.
- The equipment would accommodate all the required and the desired needs of visiting bands and their tech staff.
- We could create a better live entertainment environment for Whitworth students and our guests.
- The service level would go up and costs to ASWU for student tech labor would decrease because of shorter setup/tear down times, and fewer techs would be needed to staff concerts/events.
- By upgrading the “large system” we’d have multi-use equipment for up to 3 smaller systems that could be used across campus.
- The updated equipment is more efficient.
- The storage footprint for all the sound gear would be reduced.
- The cost of maintaining newer equipment is typically less than maintaining older gear as the parts are more accessible.
- Student technicians would have the opportunity to work with equipment that is relevant to the industry now. It would provide a job skill for them to use should they have the need in the future.
Event Stats
- 2010-2011 academic year has had 30 events so far that have required the use of this sound system.
- In a typical year, different components of this upgrade would provide support for upwards of 400 events
- There has been an 18% increase in events per year consistently since the 06-07 school year.
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