Dance Dash Audio/Staging Guide This text was created by mid-sized sound company in Denver, CO. It is intended to guide you through the process of procuring the appropriate staging and audio equipment to for your Dance Dash. Chances are you do not have audio equipment in house, so you are likely going to need to rent / borrow at least some audio equipment. Use this guide for hiring vendors and requests for proposals. What equipment do I need? Two types of needs Start/Finish area and the Dance Stations. We have scaled your needs based on the Start/Finish based on the number of participants in your event. Regardless of the number of participants your Dance Stations will always be the same. By utilizing waves on the course, your needs at the Dance Stations will not increase. TIP: Exact makes and models of equipment is not really important, but general capability of the equipment is. Substitutions should be of similar quality and capability. Some of the specified equipment below has been suggested because of its ease of use and minimal cabling. Where can I get audio equipment?: None of the equipment needs to be high end concert grade equipment, but a boom box will certainly not cut it. It is recommended having the main stage audio needs covered by a professional a sound company or a seasoned DJ. Even small cities will likely have several companies that specialize in audio equipment rental and service. A quick Google search for sound system rental followed by the name of your town should yield several potential avenues. For 250 racers Mobile DJs and Music stores are good places to start. For 500 racers or more you should seek out an AV company. Your staging supplier/rental company will almost certainly have some leads for you as well. What about setup? If you are going to be setting the equipment up yourself, make sure you get a good explanation of how it is operated BEFORE you set it up on race day. Make every effort that the person who gets the explanation about how the equipment works is the person who sets it up. If audio equipment is getting dropped off by a rental or AV company be sure equipment is set up and tested before they leave. Also good to have emergency contact information for equipment owner so you can contact them should equipment stop working.
Dance Station Overview If you have 250 racers or 1,000+ racers it s appropriate to keep your dance stations the same. By utilizing waives of 250 racers at a time participants will spread out. With more people you may want to increase the size of your stage and sound but it s not mandatory. Remember every course has 3 separate dance stations so you will be sourcing 3 separate sound systems and three separate risers for the Dance Stations. With the Start/Finish that will make a total of four stages/risers and 4 sound systems. Dance Station Sound Needs: Each of the three Dance Station stages will need its own sound system. The sound systems for each dance stage can consist of a single active or self-powered speaker on a tripod stand. This speaker should be placed to the side of the stage riser toward the front (audience) side of the stage. The sound system must have a wired microphone with a stand, and all cabling/adapters to plug an ipod/mp3 player into the system via the ipod s headphone output. Preferred Speaker make/model are as follows: JBL EON (12 or 15 ), QSC K or KW Series, ElectroVoice ZLX, Behringer B12 or B15. Technical note: All of the Preferred Speakers have a multi-channel input section with an onboard mixer meaning they can handle signal from a microphone and an ipod/mp3 player without additional equipment. (mixer) If none of these models are available, don t worry. You need a sound system with the following for each of the three stations: 1x speaker on a tripod stand with internal or external power. (150 watts output or more) 1x 2 channel (minimum) mixer (if needed) 1x wired microphone (Shure SM58, Sennheiser e835, Audix OM2 or similar) 1x microphone cable (20 ft minimum length) 1x microphone stand 1x cable/adapter to connect an ipod/mp3 player into the sound system/speaker via it s headphone output. IMPORTANT 1x power extension cord long enough to get to your power source. NOTE: A neat but slightly more complicated addition is a wireless headset microphone instead of the wired microphone. (think Michael Jackson) This allows the instructor to be hands free while instructing. Lavaliere or Lapel microphones will NOT work in this application.
Power Needs: The above sound system should require very little power, but the requirement may vary slightly depending on the equipment you find. (Less than 3 amps should be fine) Any nearby power outlet should work just fine. (Be sure your extension cord is not going to cause a trip hazard!!!) Also, keep an eye out for other things plugged into the same outlet or electrical circuit your sound system (s) are plugged into. If someone else overloads the circuit your system is plugged into, you it will cause you a headache through no fault of your own. My favorite approach is a small, quiet, generator for each station. Most equipment rental companies have small generators for rent, and if not Home Depot typically has small generators as well. Almost all Honda generators are relatively quiet and some (like the Honda Eu1000 and 2000) are so quiet they can be set right at the base of the speaker. Quiet is important here. Any generator more than 3000 watts is probably overkill if you are only powering the sound system. Dance Station Staging Riser: The staging riser for the dance instructor does not need to be very big. A 16 wide, 8ft deep, and 2 tall stage with one set of stairs is minimum. I recommend the stage be professionally delivered and set up. (Stages are very heavy.) If you have a larger race and your budget allows you are invited to increase the size or your Dance Station both in its size and height. Many rental companies rent risers in 4ft by 8 ft sections, increasing your stage may just mean renting additional panels. Optional Dance Stage Sound Increase: If you have the budget and want to increase the sound at each of your Dance Stations order 2x speaker on a tripod stand with internal or external power. (150 watts output or more).
Start/ Finish The Start/Finish sound and stage needs will grow as your registered participants grow. Too small of a stage with sound system, your logistics are under qualified. Too big of a stage and sound system and you may have over spent for what was really needed to be sufficient. Below is a sliding scale of needs, 250 racers, 500 racers, 750 + racers. Your venue may already have a stage or structure that can be used as a stage, this can be a great cost savings. 250-500 racers Sound Needs: The Start/Finish stage will need its own sound system. The sound system should be at minimum double the scale of the Dance Stage s sound systems. Again the system can consist of active or self-powered speakers on a tripod stands, but at the Start/Finish stage, a total of two speakers should be used. The speaker stands should be placed on the left and right front (audience) corners of the stage. (see picture). The idea here is to place the tripods on the stage so the speakers will be further elevated by the height of the stage, and thus project to the back of the crowd better. (The bottom of the speaker should be 6-7 off the ground). Again, the sound system must have a wired microphone with a stand, and a means to plug an ipod/mp3 player into the system via the ipod s headphone output. Preferred Speaker make/model are as follows: JBL EON (12 or 15 ), QSC K or KW Series, ElectroVoice ZLX, Behringer B12/15. Technical note: All of the Preferred speakers have a multi-channel input section with an onboard mixer meaning they can handle signal from a microphone and an ipod/mp3 player without a peripheral mixer. If none of these models are available, don t worry. You need a sound system with the following for each station: 2x speakers on tripod stands with internal or external power. (350 watts output per speaker) 1x 2 channel (minimum) mixer (if needed.) 1x cabling to link the two speakers together. 1x wired microphone (Shure SM58, Sennheiser e835, Audix OM2 or similar) 1x microphone cable (20 ft minimum length)
1x microphone stand 1x cable/adapter to connect an ipod/mp3 player into the sound system/speaker via it s headphone output. IMPORTANT 1x power extension cord long enough to get to your power source. NOTE: A neat but slightly more complicated addition is a wireless headset microphone in addition to the wired microphone. (think Michael Jackson) This allows the instructor to be hands free while instructing. Lavaliere or Lapel microphones will NOT work in this application. Power Needs: The above sound system should require very little power, but the requirement may vary slightly depending on the equipment you find (Less than 6 amps should be fine). Nearby power outlets should work just fine (Be sure your extension cord is not going to cause a trip hazard). Just like the Dance Stage, keep an eye out for other things plugged into the same outlet or electrical circuit your sound system is plugged into. If you are using a generator here, 2000 watts is minimum. Staging Riser: The staging riser for the START/FINISH does need to be a bit bigger than the dance stages. A 20 wide, 16ft deep, and 2-3 tall stage with one set of stairs is minimum. I recommend a taller stage for the main stage. 32-36 is ideal. 500-750 racers Sound Needs: The Start/Finish stage will need its own sound system. The sound system can consist of a high quality pair of active or self-powered flown or otherwise supported on crank up lifts. The speaker lifts should be placed off stage near the left and right front (audience) corners of the stage (see picture). The idea here is to significantly elevate the speakers above the heads of the audience members directly in front of the stage. The height will allow the speakers to project to the back of the crowd better (the bottom of the speaker should be 9-12 off the ground). Additionally, subwoofers should be integrated into the sound system for better sound quality and better overall performance. The sound system must have a wired microphone with a stand, and all cabling/adapters to plug an ipod/mp3 player into the system via the ipod s headphone output. Preferred Speaker make/model are as follows: JBL EON (12 or 15 ), QSC K or KW Series, ElectroVoice ZLX, Behringer B12/15. Technical note: All of the speakers listed are known to be generally powerful enough to handle the needs as described. Substitutions can be made at your discretion for similar output/quality equipment. If none of these models are available, don t worry. You need a sound system with the following for each station: 1x 4 channel (minimum) mixer
2x speakers on crank up lifts with internal or external power. (350 watts output per speaker) Recommended lifts, make/model: Global ST123, Applied L16 or L13, Genie 18. 2x 15 or 18 ( Active or Self Powered preferred) Subwoofers. (Crossover and interconnect cabling if needed) 1x cabling to link all speakers together. 1x wired microphone (Shure SM58, Sennheiser e835, Audix OM2 or similar) 1x microphone cable (20 ft minimum length) 1x microphone stand 1x cable/adapter to connect an ipod/mp3 player into the sound system/speaker via it s headphone output. IMPORTANT 1x power extension cord long enough to get to your power source. NOTE: A neat but slightly more complicated addition is a wireless headset microphone in addition to the wired microphone. (think Michael Jackson) This allows the instructor to be hands free while instructing. Lavaliere or Lapel microphones will NOT work in this application. Power Needs: The above sound system should require only a modest amount of power, but the requirements may vary slightly depending on the equipment you find. (Less than 10 amps should be fine). Most nearby power outlets should work just fine (Be sure your extension cord is not going to cause a trip hazard!!!) Just like the Dance Stage, keep an eye out for other things plugged into the same outlet or electrical circuit your sound system is plugged into. If you are using a generator here, 3000 watts is minimum. Staging Riser: The staging riser for the START/FINISH does need to be a bit taller than the dance stages. A 20 wide, 16ft deep, and 30-36 tall should work nicely. In order to increase visibility of the Main stage as a focal point of the event, the stage should be covered. A peak style 20 x20 tent is preferred because it has supports only at the corners. Also with the addition of scaffold leveling jacks (for extra height) the tent can be made tall enough to fit a 36 tall stage underneath comfortably. (Do not forget to make sure the tent is tall enough to fit the stage underneath!)
750 + racers Sound Needs: The Start/Finish stage will need its own sound system. The sound system can consist of a high quality pair of PA mains (dual 15 and horn preferred) and a pair of Dual 18 subwoofers. The speakers should be stacked and placed on the stage deck for maximum height. The higher you can get the main speakers the better they will project to the back of the crowd. The sound system must have a wired microphone with a stand, and all cabling/adapters to plug an ipod/mp3 player/ or DJ into the system via the ipod s headphone output. Preferred Speaker make/model are as follows: JBL JRX SRX 215+horn, QSC KW153 HPR153 Series, Yamaha S215, Community MVP215 Technical note: All of the speakers listed are known to be generally powerful enough to handle the needs as described. Substitutions can be made at your discretion for similar output/quality equipment. If none of these models are available, don t worry. You need a sound system with the following for each station: 1x 4 channel (minimum) mixer (Crossover and interconnect cabling as needed) 2x Dual 15 and horn PA main speakers with appropriate power amp and speaker cabling 2x Dual 18 subwoofer speakers with appropriate power amp and speaker cabling 1x cabling to link all speakers together. 1x wired microphone (Shure SM58, Sennheiser e835, Audix OM2 or similar) 1x microphone cable (20 ft minimum length) 1x microphone stand 1x cable/adapter to connect an ipod/mp3 player into the sound system/speaker via it s headphone output. IMPORTANT 1x power extension cord long enough to get to your power source. NOTE: A neat but slightly more complicated addition is a wireless headset microphone in addition to the wired microphone. (think Michael Jackson) This allows the instructor to be hands free while instructing. Lavaliere or Lapel microphones will NOT work in this application. Power Needs: The above sound system will require a fair amount of power, but the requirements may vary slightly depending on the equipment you find. (2x dedicated 20amp 110v circuits should be fine) Most nearby power outlets will not work on their own. You must find power from 2 completely separate circuits (think separate breakers). Make sure nothing is sharing these circuits with the sound system. (If you are using a generator here, 5000 watts is minimum. (Be sure your extension cords are not going to cause a trip hazard!!!)
Note: plugging two different extension cords into different outlets does not necessarily mean you are plugging into two separate circuits. Staging Riser: The staging riser for the START/FINISH needs to be bigger, taller, and generally much more visible than the dance stages. Renting a trailer that folds out into a stage is a good idea. A large panel stage with a large tent is a good plan B if the trailer stage is cost prohibitive, or your venue has rules prohibiting trailers in city parks. Ideally a 24 x16 x48 trailer stage similar to a Marshall Austin MAP24, Stage Line SL100, Atlas Staging Atlas25, or Stagemobil L. Most municipalities rent showmobiles at discounted rates. Most trailer stages offer ample space for sponsor banner placement, and though they can be expensive, that cost can be mitigated by selling sponsor banner placement.