Outdoor speakers for haunted woods

[scottylmt]

BLOOD, thanks for the link! I didn't know they had amplifiers that could do all of that; and who would've thought they'd be so inexpensive!?

Have you had a chance to hook them up yet and test it all out? How does it sound???

[HauntedLehmanPark]

I did have a chance to test them, and they sound OK. You will need a bigger power supply to really drive them hard.

The piece I liked the best was the SD card MP3 player that remembers where it left off when you put power back on the unit. That and the auto-repeat.

At that price its worth giving it a shot and letting us know your feedback as well. Worse case just use it as a repeater and hook up a bigger amp.

[HauntedLehmanPark]

Also those speakers can be driven pretty hard. You could always recycle old home theater amps and use them as well.. Cheap and easy to get at flea markets and usually put out 70-100 watts a channel.

[scottylmt]

Thanks.

So let me get this straight, you are plugging these amps into an ac source, and using them to power those rock speakers. If each amp is running four speakers, you must have multiple amps. Is there a way to unify them all so that you have a constant "theme" music? Or are you simply running different loops on each, and the music changes as one progresses down the path?

[HauntedLehmanPark]

We are only using 4 speaker per area, so each amp has a different sound track.

But there are RCA jacks on the back for audio input / output. So you should be able to connect together as many as you need using the first one as a master.

They also have a couple more powerful amps on the site, so you could use one of these as the MP3 repeater then chain together some of the more powerful amps as well.

[BigT]

I use the PicoBoo for two effects but it is limited in terms of audio length. For scenes where I need longer audio tracks and multiple audio tracks I use the Wav Runner from HauntBots. Works great, lets you save multiple tracks to one SD card and sequence through them or trigger each track. Comes in either replay only or triggerable as well for $130. There are many others out there but I found these to work really well.

For speakers I use a variety of types. I have some from OnlyFactory (or something like that) that have a USB player built in and a built-in battery. Works great on things like our golf cart and tram. The audio repeater plugs in via mini plug (just like a headset in a radio). I also have some speakers that are simply powered (amplified with no player) I bought this year for some of my other scenes.

I have some smaller speakers that are actually monitor speakers for recording studios. I bought them for my studio and found them to be real handy in the haunt. They are usually a little more expensive but very versatile and put out a lot of sound. Musicians use powered speakers for monitors so they don't have to add another amp in their PA system.

I also have a 32 channel PA system, with mixing console, speakers (SP2s which are big speakers) and amplifier that I use for area sound. The entire ticket area and concessions are covered by this system. The audio repeaters simply plug in where an instrument like a guitar would plug in. I can also run smaller individual powered speakers out of this console through the effects send channel. Gives me a lot of versatility in controlling where I put sound from one central location.

Being a sound and lighting guy, I prefer working with entertainment PAs and playback systems. I've never used a 70v system so can't tell you much about those. I have distributed sound though through a building using a PA system and some creativity!

[scottylmt]

Excellent information from both of you, thanks.

A question for both: since you're both running outdoor haunts, what do you do with all the wiring and components to avoid red tape and safety problems (not to mention protecting your investment!)? A major concern since I'll be starting outside is how to do the wiring... im thinking run it above the maze obviously, but do you cover it with something to protect it from water?

[rfsystems]

I also run multiple sound systems, although like "Big T" I also prefer the flexability of the "Entertainment type or live consel systems" like a live band wold use. I use a 24 ch consel with 8 aux sends, 8 sub groups, 2 stereo and 1 mono out, along with 8 stage monitor and 1 sub speaker. The flexability is great. Being able to send any sound I have playing to any room I wish. Plus I talk to the customers while they are making there way through the haunt, so the ability to add effects to my voice is a hugh benefit.

I've been doing the sound for the haunt I volunteer at for so long that the technology aspect of audio repeaters and scene controllers has yet to make its way into the mix of my CD players, computers and tape decks. The way these SD card players and audio repeaters connect into an audio chain is the same as a CD player or any other audio source and I cant wait to start replacing some of my aging technology with a few of these.

I also have a 12v car stereo hooked up to a 12v power supply to play CD's that I've made with different song mixes and informational notices like instructions and advertisements for the concession stand. My car stereo is 100w x 4ch. I use 2 "Planter Speakers" that are actual flowr pots, I barried 2 - 12 gauge extention cords in the ground for my speaker wires between the haunt and the waiting area were the speakers are loctaed. This sytem plays for 6 plus hours a night without any problems.

Planter Speakers like these... http://www.overstock.com/Electronics...2/product.html

A 70v system only pertains to the amp and type of speakers used, audio repeaters, CD players, microphones and other sound sources can all be used with 70v systems, amplified speakers, "Entertainment type" systems. Its all in how you hook it up.

[BrotherMysterio]

First, awesome info! Longer response forthcoming.

Now . . .

Plus this:
http://www.onlyfactorydirect.com/p-3...-pcs-4r4g.aspx

Gets you 4 speakers that can even run off of battery power.

. . . can we get the indoor, non-rock version of those?

Tho, that said, they could probably work indoors in scenes involving rocks or stones.

C.