Where do you Go for Consults?

[ericstair]

We have a total of three venues onsite and two that receive a live video feed and stereo feed from our Worship Center. I believe the audio is being sent via a matrix from the console and old-fashioned audio cables but the video, I'll need to check. I know the venues have prosumer grade DVR boxes that recieve the feed and allow playback, archiving, etc.

Tell you what, PM me your contact info and I can get you in touch with our tech director who would have more details.

[humbleservant]

Originally Posted by blindeyesopen

We're not really looking for a consult and install, as much as we're looking for someone to help us put together a possible equipment/pricing list.

You're walking the right path, I'll say that. One reality that seems to escape most in church leadership is the foolishness of hiring a company to consult AND install. A company cannot both serve your best interests as well as their own. However if you hire an independent consultant, they are being paid to simply have your best interests at heart. It won't hurt their paycheck to line item veto the equipment list.

I have consulted dozens of churches, but primarily in audio and lighting. I have only a few years experience with projection and multi-camera video feeds. Also, I'm about 2000 miles away. But here's some tips to potentially finding someone who can help. Try local community colleges. Many offer video, audio, etc. courses where you may find a willing student or teacher. Also try high-end electronic stores that may sell some of the equipment. If you find a knowledgeable salesman, ask if he/she would be willing to consult. I will qualify these suggestions with the reality that a significant percentage of the people you meet will probably think and act like they know more than they actually do (tech guys sometime have big egos, in case you hadn't noticed.) But these places greatly increase your chances of finding a willing, helpful soul. Keep us informed on this topic.

[worshiptrench]

I would not go with the joint vendor/consultant because you can never be sure if you are getting the best spec OR the product that gives them the highest margin of profit. I only use non-vendor consultants (like acoustic dimensions etc.) for this type stuff.

[amprodirect]

Okay, since this is the second post like this I thought I should jump in here. There is absolutely nothing wrong with going with a design/build contractor. There are many reputable ones out there. I understand the thinking that has been brought up, but the truth is that some (dare I say many) consultants do indeed have something to gain by specifying a certain brand of equipment. There are incentives given by manufacturers for some that specify their product, if a consultant specifies it, it is as good as selling it, for you then find the installer that will purchase what the consultant specified. This is the world we live in. Just do your homework by contacting the vendors client's. I had my own design/build business for thirteen years and now I do not sell any equipment. I have also worked as an end user using design/build firms as well as an independent consultant, all of which are very reputable and have done a fine job for me. Honestly, the one I have used multiple times is the design/build firm, though I am the one doing most of the design work.

Anyhow, please don't shy away from a design/build firm just because they are that. Check them out first just as you would a consultant.

David Cherry
Shoreline
Austin

[worshiptrench]

Ampro, True and there are incentives on both sides. We just got out of a situation in our new building where our installer (who also offer a system design/build which we declined) kept trying to persuade us to options different than the consult who understood exactly what we wanted. In some cases the consultant spec'd us "limousine" stuff (ikegami cameras which was just stupid expensive and not needed) and the installer recommended a "camry" option. On other things, the installer would "margin us" and offer something of a quality level we were not willing to accept (I had a former exec of the install company in my church who knew their volumes). This isn't the first rodeo I have been through on this. I LIKE the tension between the consultant and a totally separate contractor because we would hear dissenting opinions which we could decide for ourselves.

In past experiences, it seems like pure consultant companies push the envelope for new technology (sometimes too much to be honest) whilst the design/build systems (run with the tried and true, which is good, but sometimes a new solution is needed). The tension served us well. From inside information, I feel the margins for profit for using a certain product is compounded more by the design/build guys (since they make for spec'ing just like a consult and in the mark-up on purchase which they get for a bang up price because they tend to spec in volume. Not saying both don't make money, the design/build guys just have higher mark-up potential earnings.

Obviously others might have different experiences. As one who has been through two large building projects (newest one with 1.8 million dollar AV system), I'd definitely go with separate entities every time...though others, including you, might differ...that is fine.

[chrisfromcanada]

Russ - Look up Northland Church in Orlando area. They "distribute" their live worship to several venues and have gone very, very high tech (probably more high tech than you'd need to) but they would probably be a good resource.

We have hired a group of three guys from a company called Spectrum Innovations in southern Ontario - a specialist in each area of audio, video and lighting. The audio specialist does also own an audio supply company but we are not contacted to purchase from him. I can get you contacts if you are interested.

[gilparente]

Hi Russ,

I'd like to help, just have to figure out the logistics. Give me a call whenever you can.
Gil Parente
407-579-1711

take care
Gil