Speaker & PA Hire Hunter Valley

Sound at a Hunter Valley event has two quite different jobs. At a vineyard gala or a conference in Pokolbin it has to carry speeches to every table and then lift a band; at a birthday or a wedding after-party it mostly has to play a playlist clearly while people can still hear each other. The suppliers here cover both ends, so start by deciding which of those jobs yours is.

Equip Multimedia is the production end. It brings d&b line array speakers with Midas and Allen & Heath mixing desks, and its technicians set up, run and pack down the show, so nobody from your group is stuck riding the volume during the speeches. It has handled sound for Groovin the Moo at Maitland and the Hunter Rescue Ball, and travels to Cessnock & Wollombi, Pokolbin & Surrounds and Maitland & Lower Hunter.

At the lighter end, Photobooths Newcastle adds PA speakers to the same booking as its booths, slushy machine and lolly cart, with pricing from $439. That suits a party where one delivery covering several extras is easier than lining up separate suppliers.

Questions that sort out which kind of hire you need:

• Speeches or music only: a microphone for toasts changes the brief, so mention it when you enquire.
• Indoors or out: an open lawn needs more coverage than a function room with walls to hold the sound.
• Operated or dry hire: decide whether you want a technician on site or speakers you switch on yourselves.
• Venue limits: ask the venue about noise levels and finishing times before booking anything loud.

Once the sound is sorted, compare DJs or bands for the music itself.