June 29, 2021
Sound systems for schools are designed to ensure that everyone in the building is capable of hearing a message loud and clear, whether it is delivered to an entire school or focused on the occupants of a particular room. As your school considers installing a new system or upgrading its current sound system, it is worth spending some time researching the various systems available, and determining which one(s) will best meet your needs.
Below you’ll find an introduction to several school sound systems, their basic differences when it comes to operation, and the benefits of using them in your educational environment.
Paging Systems
A paging system is a critical piece of audio infrastructure in every school. This type of sound system has been in use in schools for decades, allowing teachers and administrators to communicate messages to an entire school.
Paging systems are used for a variety of purposes. Among the most common are to send out emergency messages, make daily announcements (such as student birthdays, recognizing team achievements, announcing upcoming events) or to simply call students to the office. EPIC (Education Paging & Intercom Communications) SystemTM, from Audio Enhancement, allows staff to control bells, paging, intercom and alert notification systems throughout the campus.
Typically there are one or two speakers per classroom, with others located in the hallways, bathrooms and other common areas of the building. Traditional systems had one centrally located microphone; today’s modern paging system is connected to the school’s telephone infrastructure. This allows the principal, teachers and administrators to communicate messages to the entire school by picking up a phone and entering the access code.
Classroom Systems
A classroom system is designed for use in individual rooms throughout the school. For example, music classrooms might require advanced speakers to allow students to listen to recorded music without sacrificing quality. Alternatively, a standard classroom system might require various speakers throughout the space to help students clearly hear videos that are playing or lectures being given through the room’s microphone.
The number of speakers in each classroom will depend on the size of the room and the purpose for which they will be used. An effectively designed sound system ensures that all students can hear their teacher when he or she is giving presentations while wearing a mask, can hear classmates who are giving speeches, can hear audio during movies, and so on. Classroom sound systems are designed to enhance the learning environment for students.
Gym Systems
Pep rallies are a staple in American high schools. Homecoming week, for example, is meant to evoke school and community pride, and students enjoy the opportunity to get out of the classroom during school hours to gather in the gym for a pep rally.
School gyms also are often used to host events, from weekly basketball games to daily volleyball practice to prom, and everything in between. These are exciting occasions that draw crowds of all sizes. The sound system within your gym is an essential element to engage and entertain every person on the court and in the bleachers.
In such a large space, it is important to have the proper system installed. Multiple large speakers are required to ensure all corners of the gymnasium can hear the message, amps boost the entertainment value of the music being played, and good microphones prevent the message from getting lost in the static.
Ensure Your Sound System Gets An A+
Audio technicians can help design and install a sound system that can increase school spirit, enhance learning environments and open communication channels to everyone in the building. Whether your students are in the classroom, distance learning or in a hybrid format, let us help you be confident that you're providing an effective learning environment for students and teachers, and ensure your sound system is adding value in the classroom and the school.
