PA Systems

I have supplied this PA information as requested and I'm more than happy to share this with my colleagues. (Email me anytime if you have questions)

Some of the content is the same as the PA OPD sessions and PA training sessions I hold in Melbourne. At times, I may repeat myself, as I've 'cut & pasted' info from other areas - but it will help remind you of the point I am making.

Although some of the situations, suggestions and recommendations are mine from experience, they may not suit everyone's needs.

This information is designed to help you use the PA you have  - or help you decide which PA you might want to buy if you don't have one.

As with most things, when buying a PA, budget may restrict you, but after reading through this information you should be clearer in deciding what your needs might be and what inclusions / extras to ask for when ordering a new PA.

May I suggest being careful if ordering a system from interstate. Although the price might be $50 cheaper than a local seller, you won't have the back-up service should you ever require it. A local PA hire company that also sell PA's will loan you a system should there ever be a problem.

Unfortunately many celebrants will find that buying a PA is just not worth it for the small amount of weddings they may perform each year. Hiring is an option and you may be able to include the hiring cost in your fee. Locate a PA hire company in your area, pay them a visit, see what they have to offer – most are very helpful.

At around $100 to hire a PA, you may find that this will suit you.  But if you were to hire 5 times a year, you could have bought a good, basic PA for around $500.

An ideal PA system would be 'one with the lot':

A wireless Lapel or Headset mike for the celebrant

A second wireless Lapel mike clipped onto the groom (will also pick up the bride's voice)

A third mike on a stand for guest readers (cabled mike)

A CD player (for those who wish to play CD's)

The cheapest / smallest / lightest PA unit that will provide all of the above would be the Chiayo Focus 505 for around $1800 - $1900.  Although small it will usually be fine for most outdoor weddings. It might struggle with 300 people and a windy day, but by placing the PA 'upwind' you might overcome this problem. Throw a couple of blades of grass in the air to determine which way the wind / breeze is blowing and where you should place your PA.

There are other bigger, more powerful models. You can pay  anything up to $4000 for something with all the above and heaps of  power – if budget allows.

Expensive?  Yes, but there ways of reducing your needs and costs.

(I was informed recently by a reputable dealer of another make and model hopefully being imported in a couple of months. Not sure of the price but I'm told it will be the same or  less than the Chiayo Focus 505 -   will keep you posted)

The same Chiayo PA as above with only a basic, plug in hand-held, chorded microphone is around $500 - $550.  An Ipod can plug into this unit to provide music so,  no CD player required.

The smallest, cheapest Mipro model is the 101 - with only a basic, plug in hand-held, chorded microphone is around $375.  An Ipod can plug into this unit to provide music so,  no CD player required.

Some celebrants may be happy with this – it may suit their needs. But I would just suggest buying a couple of extension microphone leads to keep some distance between the PA and the mike to prevent feed-back. Of course the main problem here is cable running along the ground from the PA to the mike. (Make sure you have insurance)

The Mipro 101 with one wireless microphone is around $550. This model is only available with one radio mike (hand-held or lapel/headset) and one hand-held chorded mike.

A lapel mike or a head-set mike, plugs into a belt-pack that is worn on the celebrant

For those who prefer more wireless microphones, you will need to step up a level, (Chiayo Focus 505 or  Mipro705)  adding around $400 for each radio mike -  plus around $400 if you would like an inbuilt CD player.

You must understand that for each wireless microphone you may want, the PA must have a matching receiver built into it. It is wiser to have all the 'extra's already built in when ordering your PA, as further costs may be involved if making these additions later.

Some models cannot have additions later – so choose carefully.

Although some celebrants have initially bought a PA with a wireless hand held mike but later bought a head-set mike with belt pack, no problems -  as PA sellers will make sure the frequencies will match. But you can't use both the hand-held and headset mike at the same time – as they are battling against each other to be received by the receiver.

It is for this reason a separate receiver is suggested.

Also remember Mipro and Chiayo receivers do not match, so transmitters (belt-pack) are not interchangeable

Lapel or headset  microphones that plug into the transmitters (belt-pack) are usually interchangeable

Other additional costs may include:

Flesh / beige coloured head-set microphone –
PA cover –
PA stand -
Microphone stand -

There is a basic technical section included (below) -  but if read carefully it will make sense and I'm sure you will understand. Without trying to confuse you, VHF and UHF PA systems are available on the market today. When Digital TV was introduced the VHF band became too crowded  (especially in Victoria) so some areas will have much interference with VHF systems. It is for this reason I advise celebrants (especially in Victoria) to choose a UHF system. Some states don't have this problem.

It seems QLD don't, but I'd be asking local PA hire companies in your area which systems will suit your area. 

Code of Practice for marriage celebrants (regulation 37L) 5 (g)  states:

Make efforts to ensure that the marriage ceremony is audible to all those present – (using audio equipment, if required)

(a)  How does a celebrant decide when audio equipment is required? 

(b)  Where  should the PA be positioned?

(c)  What type of microphone(s) to use? Lapel, hand-held, headset?

(e)  Troubleshooting  - Batteries

(f)   Troubleshooting  - Dealing with interference

(g)  Playing Music

(h)  Extra information

*Please note: 

Amplification must be discussed with the bride & groom beforehand.

They may be happy for only the celebrant & readers to be amplified (miked)  

but not have their own voices amplified  (vary rarely do couples refuse)

Of course with any outdoor ceremony, amplification is subject to local council regulations. Some councils have amplification bans in place in parks / gardens etc – this should be discussed with the bride & groom also.