106 lines
4.0 KiB
Markdown
106 lines
4.0 KiB
Markdown
Title: Running Audio/Visual for a Roller Derby Bout
|
|
|
|
If you are a small team getting ready to bout, you are probably
|
|
worried about the audio and video requirements.
|
|
[LADD](http://losalamosderbydames.com/) worried about this too.
|
|
Here's what we currently use:
|
|
|
|
Audio: $310 new, under $200 used, $60 budget
|
|
============================================
|
|
|
|
There are good reasons to hire a DJ: it's one less thing to worry
|
|
about, and you don't need to drop a lot of money on a sound system.
|
|
But after a few bouts you might realize you can save money by doing it
|
|
yourself.
|
|
|
|
* One speaker: Harbinger APS-15 ($250 new)
|
|
* Two wired mics: Shure SM-48 ($60 new)
|
|
|
|
The important thing about sound at a bout is the announcer, *not* the
|
|
music. I think a small team would do just fine with a single powered
|
|
speaker, two wired mics (reasonable wireless mics are super expensive,
|
|
and your announcer shouldn't be wandering around), and somebody's MP3 playlist. The
|
|
Harbinger APS-15 provides a built-in amp *and* mixer, so you really
|
|
only need these two items.
|
|
|
|
You do not really need to hire a DJ if you can provide a powered speaker
|
|
and mics. I have been to a number of bouts, each time with a keen ear
|
|
on the music. I've talked to as many DJs as I could, and with the
|
|
notable exception of the 2011 Nationals in Denver, they have all told
|
|
me their job was to set up equipment and play a mix CD provided by the
|
|
team, or a playlist on some team member's MP3 player. They've all been
|
|
sort of bored.
|
|
|
|
You should also strongly consider not playing music at all.
|
|
Most music requires royalties payments,
|
|
and playing without securing the right licenses can incur legal threats and
|
|
other BS you don't want to waste time.
|
|
Lastly, can you name another sport that has music during gameplay?
|
|
Just skip it.
|
|
|
|
If you do want to go for a full mobile DJ setup, though, I have a
|
|
[separate DJ article](dj.html) you might enjoy. Total cost is
|
|
$650 for that.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Video: $350 new, under $300 used
|
|
================================
|
|
|
|
Your scoreboard should show period time *and* jam time. Because most
|
|
hockey/basketball/etc. scoreboards only have one timer, most teams use
|
|
a projector and computer. The Los Alamos Derby Dames has a
|
|
[free roller derby scoreboard](http://woozle.org/scoreboard/) you may
|
|
use, and there are a few other free options available.
|
|
|
|
When shopping for a projector, it's easy to get overwhelmed by the
|
|
options. Look for **high lumens** and **low resolution**.
|
|
|
|
Lumens
|
|
------
|
|
|
|
Lumens are the units that measure how *bright* a projector is. Unless
|
|
you are playing in a dark room, you will need at least 2500 lumens.
|
|
|
|
You *need to* test some projectors in your venue before committing to a
|
|
purchase. The deciding factor here is "ambient light": how much light
|
|
is already in the area for your projector to compete with. This is really
|
|
the only way to know for sure what your needs are.
|
|
|
|
The Derby Dames bought a 2800-lumen projector, after trying a few out
|
|
in our outdoor (shady) venue. 4000 lumens or more would have been
|
|
better, but those cost over $600.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Resolution/Pixels
|
|
-----------------
|
|
|
|
The resolution is how many dots there are on a screen, like megapixels in
|
|
a digital camera. The more dots, the crisper the image.
|
|
|
|
Your scoreboard is displaying gigantic numbers to people maybe 100 feet
|
|
away. You don't have to care about resolution.
|
|
|
|
The Derby Dames bought an 800x600 projector, which is more than enough for
|
|
a scoreboard, and can even do 720p (for DVDs).
|
|
|
|
|
|
Projection Screen
|
|
-----------------
|
|
|
|
A good projection screen can really help make your scoreboard more visible.
|
|
They are also terribly expensive for the size you will need at a bout.
|
|
|
|
Find some way to hang a queen-size white bed sheet vertically and call
|
|
it good enough. If you have any team members or fans who like nailing boards
|
|
together, you can whip up a decent structure out of scrap lumber. Remember,
|
|
it doesn't need to look pretty: you're going to cover it up with a sheet.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Summary
|
|
=======
|
|
|
|
You can run all of this for about $650 new, maybe under $400 if you
|
|
shop around for used equipment.
|
|
|
|
Ask me questions! I like to help!
|