Can you imagine going to a dance without music? Music makes the mood and generates the excitement. If you want the winning edge in the boat parade you need to add a sound system. You need to entertain – especially to be picked for the PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARD (the lucky winner will receive a trip to California). Think of all the music you can add that will sail home the theme of the event and the individual magic of your vessel.
Sound effects CD’s and movie themes can add unique qualities to a boat. Don’t forget there is an award for best sound. If you want to win an overall award sound is a factor in the judging. The entire boating experience is enhanced not only for the viewers but also for you and your passengers. If sight is the only sense you stimulate you are missing the boat! Call Jack at MAE, Music Arts Enterprises for questions at 954-581-2203. Have some fun but be sure to make some noise (music)!
DETAILED SOUND TIPS:
1) Home systems are ok, but generally are not adequate for use in an outdoor, noisy environment. Generally, home speakers, amplifiers, and components are not built for use at the prolonged, loud volumes needed for this type of event. A pair of 500 watt speakers in your living room may be more than enough, but will barely cover a 100’ x 100’ area outdoors. General rule for sound: 15 watts per person for an outdoor system. Add to the equation the distance from where your speakers are located, to where the spectators, and that number is closer to 20 watts per person.
2) Whatever system you decide on using, remember – the higher a speaker is placed, the wider an area of ‘coverage’. Keep in mind that a 2000 watt system would require 20 amperes (amps) of power which could be found on most vessels. 10,000 watts – 100 amps, and so on. At a certain point a generator is required. Smaller generators, 5000 watts (50 amps) or less are as noisy and produce as much exhaust as a lawnmower. Thus, these would need to be placed in the stern of the boat, as far as possible from the loudspeakers. Be careful with the heat of the exhaust, in small spaces this could cause a problem or even a fire !
3) Other components to your system would be a CD player, mixer/preamp to control your volume, an equalizer to tune your system, and of course and amplifier to power your speakers. Generally, it is always better to have a more powerful amp(s) than speakers. Contrary to what most people believe, it is easier to blow or damage a loudspeaker, by under-powering it with a small amp. This is due to the fact that the amp will go into clip (distortion) long before the speaker is up at full power, and that distortion will damage the speakers. Also, say you have a 100 watt speaker paired to a 150 watt amplifier, the amplifier is running cool because you don’t need to run it at full power. This is what referred to as ‘headroom’. This makes for a better, clearer sounding system.
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