Understanding the Most Common Sound System Problems—and How to Prevent Them

In Houses of Worship, few things are more frustrating than sudden pops, crackles, or static in your sound system. These issues always seem to strike at the worst possible time—during a sermon, a prayer, or a performance—then disappear when you try to recreate them later. While it’s tempting to chalk them up to “gremlins in the system,” the reality is that intermittent A/V issues often have clear, preventable causes.

Below, we’ll explore where these problems come from, why they happen in church settings, and what you can do to fix—and prevent—them.

The Usual Suspects: Cables, Connections & Compatibility

Although faulty gear can sometimes be the culprit, most intermittent noise problems stem from cabling issues or poor connection points between equipment. Every cable and connector in your signal path is a potential point of failure. In large buildings with complex A/V setups—especially when audio, video, and data lines run alongside each other—cable selection and routing become crucial.

The problem worsens over time as new components are added or systems are modified without a coordinated plan.  A House of Worship that installs gear piecemeal or sources cables from generic online retailers can quickly run into compatibility and interference problems—especially if those cables aren’t rated for permanent installation.

Need a second opinion on your cabling setup? Talk to a qualified installation specialist to evaluate your system’s infrastructure.

When Interference Comes from the Floor

With the rise of networked A/V systems, a new challenge has emerged: static electricity buildup on network cables. When these cables are temporarily run along the floor, they can cause electrical discharge, resulting in loud pops or buzzing in your PA system. This is especially common in environments where people are constantly on the move, or where temperature and humidity fluctuate throughout the year.

Wireless Mics: Fewer Cables, More Complexity

Despite being “wireless,” today’s microphone systems still require a host of installation steps. Over time, churches may accumulate various wireless systems that weren’t designed to work together, resulting in signal conflicts or poor coverage. Careful planning around antenna placement, frequency coordination, and cabling to and from receivers is essential for reliable performance.

Planning to add new wireless microphones? Let us help make sure they’re compatible with your building’s layout and your current system.

Not All Cables Are Created Equal

It’s important to remember that installation-grade cables are different from the kind you might find at a music store. Cables used inside walls, ceilings, or in plenum-rated spaces must meet building code and safety requirements—not just carry a signal. High-quality shielded cable not only reduces noise but also protects against damage from environmental factors and prolonged use.

And it’s not just the cables. Connectors and patch panels must be chosen with equal care. In a fixed-installation environment where systems are used weekly—or even daily—equipment that may appear “good enough” out of the box can fall short over time.

Don’t Forget Special Events and Seasonal Setups

Does your House of Worship host temporary events, outdoor services, or seasonal displays? If so, you likely use temporary cabling that’s rolled out as needed. While this might be practical in the short term, investing in auxiliary patch panels or permanent tie-in points makes these setups faster, safer, and more consistent year-round.

Fixing Problems—And Preventing Them

If you’re currently experiencing static, popping, or audio dropouts, it’s time to schedule a professional assessment. Even if everything seems to be working now, reviewing your system’s health and cable infrastructure can help prevent costly downtime in the future.

Proper planning, professional installation, and regular maintenance go a long way in ensuring your A/V systems are reliable—not just for worship services, but also for emergency communications when they matter most.

Want to prevent future tech headaches? Partner with a team that understands long-term reliability—not just quick fixes.

What’s Next?

Assuming your A/V systems are correctly designed and installed, the next step is ongoing maintenance, which we’ll cover in the next part of this series.

Because in any space where people gather—whether for worship or community—clear, consistent communication matters. And that starts with sound systems you can count on.

Contact Metro Technical Services to schedule a walk-through or consultation. We’ll help you identify problem areas, plan for growth, and keep your congregation connected—loud and clear.

Steve Milner
IG: @DCSoundOp

The post How to Fix Intermittent Audio Issues in Houses of Worship appeared first on Metro Technical Services.

Organizing a film festival is no small feat. It requires meticulous planning, a keen eye for detail, and a profound understanding of bringing cinematic experiences to life.

One of the most critical decisions you’ll make in this process is selecting the right event production partner. This choice can significantly impact the festival’s success, from the immersive quality of screenings to the overall attendee experience.

Here, we provide a comprehensive guide to help you navigate this essential decision, ensuring your film festival shines in the spotlight it deserves.

Evaluating Service Providers

Choosing the right production partner is pivotal to the film festival’s success. When considering event production partners, consider their cinema and film festival experience. Here are a few key questions to ask when interviewing service providers.

• What film festivals have you worked with?
• Which movie studios or directors have you worked with?
• What movie screenings or premieres have you worked on? What role did your company play?
• What steps do you take to mitigate equipment failure?

Identifying Festival Needs

It’s crucial to outline your festival’s specific needs. Consider the following questions when researching. It is best to lay out your needs for the venue and equipment when working with your chosen technical team to make it happen. The professional team at Metro Technical Services will then take this information and use it to tailor-fit our technicians and equipment to your festival.

Venue Selection

Selecting the right venue or venues may be one of the most challenging parts of planning a festival. Several factors must be considered, but for this post, we will focus on the technical aspects of venue selection.

The ideal venue will have a spacious lobby for staging festivalgoers before the movie. Festivals often have long lines of attendees queuing before the show.

Inside, the theater ideally has a high ceiling to accommodate a large movie screen and sound-absorbing walls so that the movie audio does not reflect off surfaces and bounce around the room. Incorporating your cinema production partner is important at this stage. They can advise you on a venue’s technical capabilities and what may be needed to make the space great for a movie presentation.

Sometimes, it is possible to use a multi-use space such as a large ballroom.  All equipment must be brought in to create a theater in such spaces.  A few of the questions that we consider when evaluating this type of venue include:

• What size screen will fit in the space?
• Are there windows that can not be blacked out?
• Is the lighting controllable?
• Does the venue have adequate power available?
• Can the venue accommodate the time needed to set up and test before and remove the equipment after the festival?

Another option is to use an existing movie theater. Many cities have historical theaters with great ambiance and a deep connection to the local area. The technical capabilities of historical movie theaters vary widely. If the theater has installed equipment, it should be evaluated for an effective presentation. A tech check should be scheduled with a certified cinema technician, and the equipment should be calibrated and augmented as needed.

Equipment Requirements

The venue site visit will determine the equipment requirements, the format of the movies shown at the festival, and other special presentations.

Consider whether the venue will be strictly for showing movies or if there will be special presentations. These may include Q&A sessions with cast and directors, interviews, and musical performances. Special consideration should be taken for these types of events. A cinema sound system is not designed for events such as these. Additionally, lighting may need to be augmented for a premium experience.

The next consideration is the format of the movies. If you are showing movies from any major movie studios, they may have special requirements for any theater that screens their film. They often want to schedule a tech check with their cinema technician before the film’s public screening.

The audio formats can vary from film to film. The most popular formats include Dolby 5.1 and 7.1 surround sound. In some cases, a film may only have a stereo track. More advanced audio formats include Dolby Atmos.

An audio cinema processor generally handles the audio. Several brands of cinema audio processors exist, including QSC and USL. The most recognizable name in this space is Dolby. The current Dolby cinema processor is the CP950, which can be used for all cinema formats, including Dolby Atmos.

A significant deciding factor the festival must choose is whether the festival will be DCP (digital cinema) or Video. DCP is the digital cinema format that is used in all digital cinemas. DCI, a consortium of major movie studios, created the format. To present DCP movies, a theater must have a DCP projector and playback server. A few of the most popular DCP projector brands include Christie, Barco, and NEC.

A video projector is commonly used in board rooms, conferences, and the home. The projector is often paired with a computer or Blu-ray player for a film festival for content playback.

ADA compatibility has also become an important factor for many film festivals, which desire to provide services for all people. It is important to note that not all movies shown at festivals include support for ADA compliance, especially independent and foreign films. An ADA-compliant system includes support for hearing enhancement, visual narration, and closed captioning. Adding an ADA-compatible system to a DCP projection system is pretty straightforward. Often, ADA options are not compatible with video playback systems.

Budget Constraints

Understanding your budget will guide your negotiations with service providers who can adjust and make the right recommendations.

Related: How to Organize an Outdoor Movie

Ensuring a Smooth Collaboration

The success of your film festival significantly depends on seamless collaboration with the team that is putting on your event. To foster a productive working relationship, it’s imperative to start with clear communication, setting the stage for a mutual understanding of the festival’s goals and clearly defining your expectations. Engaging in detailed pre-event planning is also crucial, as you and your audiovisual partner can cover all aspects of event production, including setting up timelines and developing contingency plans for any unforeseen challenges. Additionally, ensuring your partner delivers comprehensive on-site support is essential for the smooth execution of the festival, with a dependable team ready to manage the setup, address technical issues, and contribute to the overall event production.

Let Metro Technical Services Create Your Perfect Film Festival

By carefully identifying your needs, evaluating potential service providers, and ensuring a smooth collaboration, you can create an unforgettable cinematic experience.

Choosing a partner like Metro Technical Services that meets your technical and budgetary requirements and shares your passion for bringing stories to life on the big screen is crucial to success. With the right team by your side, your film festival will surely be a blockbuster hit. Contact us today to get started!

The post Optimizing Your Budget: Choosing the Right Event Production Partner for Your Film Festival appeared first on Metro Technical Services.

Live-streaming has become an integral part of worship services, connecting congregations to their faith communities worldwide. Audio-visual companies facilitate this connection by ensuring seamless and high-quality live-streaming experiences. Explore how we at Metro Technical Services can help you with your live-stream needs.

Understanding Your Organization’s Needs

The first step in setting up a successful live-streaming system for worship services is understanding your specific needs and goals. Communication is key. We’ll talk with the point of contact at your place of worship to figure out the budget for the project, the purposes of live-streaming, the preferred platform for streaming, the technical requirements, and any special features or interactivity.

Based on the needs and budget, we can recommend and select the appropriate equipment, including high-quality video cameras and tripods, professional-grade microphones, and audio mixers, lighting equipment to ensure good visibility, video switchers for multiple camera angles, encoding hardware or software for streaming, and monitors for the production team to monitor the live-stream.

Installing the necessary infrastructure is critical to ensuring a successful live stream. This involves establishing reliable internet connectivity to prevent buffering and interruptions during the live stream. Configuring, encoding, and streaming software is essential to broadcast your service to the chosen platform. Additionally, installing uninterruptible power supplies is crucial to prevent power outages from disrupting the live stream.

Related: It’s (Almost) the Most Wonderful Time of the Year

Solving Issues As They Arise

Even with careful planning, issues can arise during live-streaming. Metro Technical Services is prepared to troubleshoot and resolve common problems, including audio issues, video issues, and internet problems. Addressing these problems may require adjusting settings, optimizing conditions, or using additional equipment. Our experienced technicians can monitor the stream in real-time to address technical issues as they arise.

Let Metro Technical Services Assist You in Live-Streaming Your Worship Services

Live streaming has become a vital tool for connecting faith communities, and Metro Technical Services is here to help. The partnership between technology and faith allows communities to stay connected, even when physically apart. Contact our team today to get started and ensure that your worship services are accessible to those near and far.

The post Setting Up Live-Streaming for Worship Services appeared first on Metro Technical Services.

Organizing a corporate event requires meticulous planning and execution to ensure its success. One critical aspect that can make or break your event is audiovisual (AV) production. Utilizing professionals, such as Metro Technical Services, with state-of-the-art AV equipment plays a vital role in creating an engaging and immersive experience for your attendees. Discover valuable elements of hosting a seamless corporate event that will have your guests fondly remembering long after the event has ended.

The Importance of a Producer

To alleviate stress and ensure a smooth event, consider hiring a producer, especially for larger or more complex events. A producer acts as a liaison between you and the AV team, taking care of all the intricate details. Their experience enables them to ask the right questions, address potential challenges, and oversee the entire production process, ensuring nothing falls through the cracks.

Building a Run of Show

A Run of Show (ROS) is a crucial document that provides a concise overview of your event. Collaborate with your AV provider to develop a clear and concise ROS. A spreadsheet format works well for this purpose, with columns for Time, Duration, Who or What, Stage Direction, Video, Audio, Lighting, Special Notes, and other relevant elements. This ROS acts as a roadmap for your event, allowing the tech team to understand the event flow and execute their tasks effectively.

Content Management

Managing content, such as information for audio, videos, and presentations, is a pivotal aspect of any corporate event. Designate a point of contact responsible for handling all content-related
tasks. It’s recommended to collect all content in one central location, organized in a relevant hierarchy for the event. For small events with a single session, placing all content in one main folder with subfolders for Videos, Audio, Presentations, etc., is generally sufficient. However, for larger and more complex events with multiple sessions, creating separate folders for each
session becomes imperative.

To ensure smooth content delivery, your AV team should have copies of all content locally. While sharing content through online folders is convenient, it can be slow and cumbersome for larger
files. Supplying the AV team with an SSD (Solid State Drive) containing the content to be presented can significantly speed up the process.

Coordinate with your AV provider to establish a content delivery deadline. This allows the team to review the content, program it into media servers or playback systems, and address any potential issues well in advance. Providing content at least one week before the event is a common requirement, enabling the audiovisual experts to ask questions and make necessary adjustments, leading to a stress-free event.

Schedule a Site Visit

Before the event, arrange a site visit. This visit will help determine critical details such as room acoustics, speaker and camera placement, power requirements, access to power, tech control area setup, and load-in and load-out logistics. By familiarizing your AV partner with the venue, you can proactively address any technical challenges and optimize the event’s setup for the best audiovisual experience.

Related: 4 Ways to Improve the Lighting for Your Next Zoom Call

Event Types and AV Considerations

Depending on the type of corporate event you are hosting, there are specific AV considerations to keep in mind:

• Breakout Sessions: Ensure your AV provider can support multiple sessions simultaneously by having the necessary equipment and staff to handle the technical requirements of each session.
• Panel Discussions: Arrange the appropriate audio equipment, such as microphones and speakers, to facilitate clear communication between panelists and the audience.
• Q&A Sessions: Set up a dedicated system, such as wireless microphones, to enable seamless audience participation during Q&A sessions.
• Hybrid Events: For events with both in-person and virtual attendees, you will need a reliable live-streaming platform, video conferencing equipment, and high-quality audio systems to ensure a seamless experience for both audiences.
• Remote Presenters: If you have remote presenters joining your event, work with your AV team to establish a reliable virtual communication setup, including high-speed internet connections, video conferencing software, and remote control of presentation materials.

By understanding the unique requirements of each event type and collaborating effectively with your AV provider, you can ensure that the technical aspects enhance the overall event experience.

Let Metro Technical Services Help You Host a Memorable Corporate Event

A successful corporate event heavily relies on professional audiovisual equipment and AV providers. By following the tips outlined in this blog, such as hiring a producer, managing content effectively, building a comprehensive Run of Show, scheduling a site visit, and considering the specific requirements of different event types, you can host a seamless and engaging corporate event.

To get ready for your next event, partner with Metro Technical Services to achieve your event objectives and create a memorable experience for all attendees.

The post Utilizing a Professional Audio Visual Company for a Successful Corporate Event: Tips for a Seamless Experience appeared first on Metro Technical Services.

One of the biggest perks of summer is spending time at the pool, whether taking in a relaxing morning poolside at your home, throwing a party with friends, or heading to the local swim club for an afternoon of fun in the sun. It’s a great way to enjoy time outdoors and be able to cool off when the summer heat gets to be too much.

The only thing that makes hanging out by the pool better is listening to your favorite music. That’s why choosing the right outdoor sound system for pools makes all the difference. When it comes to an outdoor sound system for your pool, the speakers will need to be weatherproof or weather resistant, but those are not the only factors to consider.

Residential vs Commercial Pool: How Does Equipment Differ?

When planning for an outdoor sound system for a pool at home, there are a few things to decide upon, including what types of speakers you need, how they will blend with your decor, and how loud you want your music to play.

• The sound system will need to be installed based on the number of people that use the pool regularly and for events that may be hosted there.
• If there is music played or if announcements are made, there are specific types of speakers and speaker sizes to choose from. For example, swim team events will need particular audio equipment, including speakers and microphones, to announce the start of races and to share updates during the meet.
• An evening pool party for the community with a DJ will need additional equipment as well, even background music needs equipment to be placed in certain places around the pool area.

Which Brands are Best for Outdoor Pool Sound Systems?

For several of our recent pool sound system projects, we have utilized top-of-the-line weatherproof and weather-resistant speakers. This is extremely important because it will ensure that your speakers are not ruined by the first bout of inclement weather that comes our way this summer.

At the University of Maryland Rec & Wellness Center and Darnestown Swim Club, our technicians installed military-spec fully weatherproof speakers by Technomad. These speakers are made to handle bad weather, ensuring there won’t be any issues after a storm or other inclement weather.

We have also recently installed several other top-name brands with weather-resistant speakers at local swim clubs, including Bose Professional, JBL Professional, TOA Electronics, and Atlast IED.

Our team understands the various types of audio equipment and can help you pick the ones best suited for your needs. The best-designed systems are generally hybrid and able to accommodate several types of events. This can be accomplished by installing separate systems or simply switching outputs. You can be sure that it is installed properly and will work when you need it to.

Let Metro Technical Install a Pool Audio System for Your Private or Public Pools

We’ve also recently installed excellent outdoor sound systems for pools at York Manor Swim Club, Manor Oaks Swim Club, Stonegate Swim Club, Armfield Swim Club, and Dulaney Valley Swim Club.

In addition, to these public pools, we can design and install the correct sound system for a private pool at your residence. Our technicians can help you decide what type and size of equipment is
needed and perform an expert installation so that you can have even more fun at your pool or swim club this summer.

Get a Free Consultation

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As warmer weather rolls in and we spend more time outdoors, it is time to start preparing for all of our fun outdoor events. Whether you are looking for a chill night with friends or entertainment
for a large party, an outdoor movie screening is a special treat for everyone in attendance. It is always better to start your planning early for an outdoor movie night. The timing of your event and the season, including temperature and inclement weather, can affect its success.

To help you get ready for your next outdoor movie, we have put together a list of things that should be considered before your event.

Planning for Outdoor Movie Nights

Whether you are planning a party, a corporate event, or a festival, as you are planning for your event and are looking at an outdoor movie screen rental, you should always consider some basic requirements first.

1. Who is your audience?
Who are you inviting? Is this a family-friendly event, a community event, a smaller gathering of friends, or a workplace event? Knowing your audience will make it easier to decide where to set
up and what is required. Certain locations have obstacles and restrictions depending on the needs of your audience. Generally, there is at least one cable running from the projection area to the screen side for sound (sometimes multiple depending on power). Sometimes cables will be run through the audience, so everyone should be aware. Outdoor movie nights start late in the evening (with the movie beginning about 30 minutes past sunset). This may be a concern for those with young children.

2. How many people are you expecting?
How large of a gathering are you planning for your outdoor movie event? The equipment required and the location depending upon the size of the audience. If you are far from a power source, you may need generators. If the location is too small, there won’t be enough room for your audience to spread out and enjoy the movie. Will you have seating or vehicles nearby? The number of attendees can drastically change your location needs. Depending on how large your event is, you may want to consider bringing in security and EMS personnel to be on standby.

3. What movie genre are you interested in showing?
Once you have decided on your audience/attendees, the next step is to consider what type of movie you will be showing. If there are both children and adults in attendance, then the movie will be rated for all ages. If it is a professional event, maybe you are considering a documentary or industry-related topic. The movie genre may also affect which type of equipment you may need, including extra speakers. There are also licensing fees and permissions that must be obtained depending on the movie that you are planning to show. The earlier the movie is chosen, the easier it is to ascertain what the cost and permissions will be.

4. Do you have a suitable location to gather an audience?
Where would you like to host your outdoor movie setup? The location has to have room to stake the outdoor movie screen and be near enough to a power source. Will you need generators? Set up generally requires three dedicated 20 A circuits for the blower, sound, and projection. Are they available? If the screen cannot be staked and needs barrels, is a water source nearby and available to fill them? Do you have the ability to access the water? At the end of the night, the water from the barrels will be emptied, is the site manager aware of this requirement?

5. Do you have permission to use this location?
If the event is not going to be held on your own property, do you have permission to set up an outdoor movie? Is there a site manager that has access to power and water if needed? Noise restrictions must also be followed. Outdoor movie nights usually start around sundown, which in summer, can be 8 p.m. or later. Although the event start time is around sundown, the movie won’t start playing until about 30 minutes after sunset. It is important to keep in mind that certain locations have noise ordinances that start as early as 8 p.m.

Let Metro Technical Services Help With Your Outdoor Movie Nights

It is always better to start your planning early. Certain times and seasons are busier than others. It is essential to plan to ensure you can book the location, secure a date, and get the invitation out to your guests. We are here to help your outdoor movie screening go off without a hitch. You schedule the date of the event and pick a suitable venue. We’ll provide set up and tear down of the inflatable screen, projection, and sound system. Before your event, we will also help you obtain the licensing rights to the movie and obtain the proper costs. Give us a call to get your event planned today!

Book an Outdoor Movie

The post How to Organize an Outdoor Movie appeared first on Metro Technical Services.

The holidays are approaching. Start planning for your events today.

While everyone is thrilled that it’s Pumpkin Spice Season, that also means that the holidays are just around the corner, and it’s time to start planning for your holiday events today. From corporate parties to worship services, community gatherings, school events, and more, contact our expert team at Metro Technical Services for all of your audiovisual (A/V) needs to make your planning go smoothly and efficiently.

We offer preventative maintenance checks and service for all of your audiovisual equipment to ensure that your event doesn’t suffer from any glitches on the big day. We can also provide the rental equipment that you need so your event is memorable for all the right reasons. Don’t wait, schedule your consultation before it is too late.

Installation and Preventative Maintenance

When you are looking for professional audiovisual system installation, we will first schedule a consultation to discover exactly what your needs are. Each building or room is different, but our expert technicians will work with you to custom-design your system. We professionally install and integrate systems so that they operate at top performance.

We can also provide a tune-up or preventative maintenance check to your current A/V system. If your equipment is not used often or hasn’t had a regular maintenance check, you could be left dealing with last-minute issues leading up to your event. We can offer suggestions for improvement as well as provide site repairs and upgrades.

Equipment Rentals

Ready to rock with music or speeches? The correct sound equipment keeps your guests engaged and entertained rather than struggling to hear what is going on. We have a large inventory of sound equipment from portable systems to wireless microphones to powered speakers and more. Whether you need a custom sound solution or supplement to your current system, we can help you decide what works best. We will also ensure you know how to properly work the equipment rather than leave you feeling uncertain.

Videos and slideshows are integral parts of your events, like outdoor movies, weddings, conferences, and so many others. Our full inventory of video equipment includes a variety of portable projection screens, outdoor screens, theatrical screens, DVD and Blu-Ray players, several types of projectors, and switchers that are all available to ensure that your video is crystal clear. Our rental specialists will make sure you have the equipment that you need including cables and ancillary items, along with a tutorial on exactly how to use the equipment. We can also help set up, operate, and tear down after your special event if needed.

Live-Stream Services

With the extreme popularity of streaming services and live-streaming, it only makes sense to have the ability to share your celebration with the world whether it is a worship service, school pageant, winter wedding, community gathering, or any other special holiday event. We can set up a broadcast-quality live stream of your event so that those who are not able to attend face-to-face won’t have to miss out.

Contact us today at (301) 470-2142, or email us at info@metrotechnical.com to schedule your free 30-minute consultation!

The post It’s (Almost) the Most Wonderful Time of the Year appeared first on Metro Technical Services.

By: James Hurley
Good lighting is the foundation of good video. The correct lighting can make you appear confident and competent while poor lighting can cause you to appear unprepared or unprofessional. Lighting for a virtual meeting or presentation becomes even more important because the human eye and a digital camera do not see light in the same way. In the next few minutes, we will look at a few important lighting factors and how they apply to your virtual meeting or Zoom call.

4 Ways to Improve Lighting on Video Calls

1. Change your light bulbs.
2. Turn off lights that do not match.
3. If you have a camera that allows you to adjust the color
   temperature, but sure to set it to match the lighting.
4. Purchase studio lighting if your budget allows

The Best Light

I am often asked, “What is the best light for my Zoom room?” The answer to that question is, “It depends.” It depends on many factors. Because light is not just light. In this case, we are lighting for video. We won’t discuss lighting “hacks”. We are going to talk about lighting principles that apply in the typical virtual meeting. These principles will work the same way every time and give you pro results. The main factors that we will look at include the environment, the light source, light placement, and the color temperature.

What is Good Light?

Let’s start our conversation by discussing what is considered good light for a video call. For most of us, a large soft light will be best. The hardness or softness of a light is based on the shadow that is cast by the light source. If a shadow has a hard crisp line, it is considered hard. If the shadow line is undefined then it is considered to be soft.

Take a look out your window. Is it cloudy or do you have clear skies? If the sky is clear and the sun is overhead you will see very distinct shadows with well-defined edges. The shadows may be hard to see if the sky is completely overcast. This is because the sunlight is being diffused by the clouds and causes the light to hit a subject from many points. When there are no clouds in
the sky, the sunlight is direct and strikes a subject from one direction, creating a very distinct shadow.

The larger the light source the softer the light.

Why is this important? The answer is quite simple. Hard light will magnify every blemish on your skin. A soft light will make your skin look smoother and more pleasing. In short, the larger the light source the softer the shadows will be. That is our first principle of light. The larger the light source the softer the light. This principle of light will come into play when we choose the light source we will use for our meeting.

Use Natural Light

Let’s first look at natural light and see how we can use it to our advantage.

The sun is the one light source that everyone has access to. Natural light can be beautiful and is often used by portrait photographers. A large window with indirect sunlight is best. This means the sun is not shining directly through the window. In short, if you can see the sun, the light will not be flattering. It will be harsh. The result is every blemish on a person’s face will be magnified. This is typically not what we want. If you are in the northern hemisphere, a North facing window will always have indirect light.

But, even if your window faces the Southern sky, and the sun shines directly through, you are not out of luck. You could consider the time of day, and schedule your meeting when the sun is not shining directly through the window. But, most cannot schedule a virtual meeting based on the position of the sun. In this case, you could add some diffusion to cut and diffuse the light, just like the clouds on an overcast day. Every pro photographer or cinematographer uses diffusion. Diffusion allows us to control the light and shape it to meet our needs. Simple sheer curtains can take direct, bright sunlight and turn it into a large, soft, and flattering light source. It is that simple. If the light is still too bright, add another layer of sheer curtains.

Shape the Light

When using natural light through a window you will want to make sure that you set up your desk area so that you are facing the windows, or even better positioned at an angle up to 45º to the window. With your desk set up directly facing the window, the light will be very even across your face. You will look very professional and great on your call.

If you want to step it up a bit and look a little more cinematic try rotating your desk up to a 45º angle. Doing this will allow the light to drape across your face. One side will be brighter while the other side will be shadowed a bit more. This will add depth and dimension to your features. Play with this and find the angle that works for you.

Make sure the brightest light is used to light your face.

One mistake I’m sure you have seen is setting up a call with windows in the background. Remember the camera sees light differently than the human eye. It may look beautiful in real life, but the camera will struggle to create a usable image in this case.

Most webcams are not able to expose properly with large differences between bright and dark. During the day the light is much more powerful outdoors than it is indoors. The net result is this. The main light is now behind you. The camera must expose to the bright window light. This throws you, the subject into darkness. This is particularly hard for others on the call to watch and makes you look like an amateur.

Add a Bounce

If you are having fun and want to take this a step further, you can add some bounce. That is, we are going to bounce some of the light that is shining across your face back into the shadow side.

This is easy to do with a piece of foam core. You can pick this up in the art supply section of Walmart or your favorite art supply store. Prop up the card so that it can bounce the light from the window back into your face. This will gently soften the shadows and fill in your face a bit more.

Artificial Light

To this point, we have been talking about using the sun as our light source, but that beautiful, natural light is not always available. Enter artificial light. This could be overhead lights in the ceiling, a lamp, or a more professional studio light. First, I will touch on common lighting that is likely already available to you – your house lights.

Common Lights

Before we begin we need to consider another principle when trying to create good light. The second principle of light we should consider is the angle or direction of the light. For many, the main light in the room is an overhead light that is hung in the center of the room. This provides very even light throughout the area. But, unless you place your desk so you are facing the light your face will fall into darkness.

We want your main light to come from in front of you and illuminate your face. To help balance the light and bring focus to you use a desk lamp as the main light source. The overhead light can be used as a secondary light illuminating your space.

Consider the direction and angle of the main light.

A lamp with a nice shade can produce beautiful light. But, remember our first principle of lighting: the larger the lampshade the better the light. Second, use a white lampshade. Using a colored lampshade or one that is off-white or yellow will produce a color cast that will not be flattering. Keep it simple and keep it as large as you can. You can control the brightness by choosing a brighter or dimmer bulb or by moving the lamp closer or farther away from you.

Mixed Lighting

Now, let’s consider a common problem that comes from using household lights-mixed lighting. This is the principle of the color of light. Mixed lighting is the result of using different kinds of lights. Incandescent lights look different from CFL or LED. Fluorescent lights can look different as well. We are specifically talking about the color temperature of a light source. Color temperature is measured in Kelvin and can tell us what the look and feel of the light will create.

• Incandescent lights – 3200º kelvin.  Incandescent lights have a yellow hue.
• LED – LED lights are blueish but can vary in color temperature. 5500º Kelvin.
• Fluorescent – Fluorescent lights have long been the bane of photographers.  They often cast a green tint. 4000º Kelvin.
• Daylight – Color temperature varies throughout the day, Sunrise/Sunset 3600ºK, Midday 5500ºK, Cloudy 6500ºK.

The camera is unforgiving when it comes to color temperature. Using lights in your environment with different color temperatures will cause your video to look odd or downright bad. Take a look at some of the examples below.

Practical Steps to Correct Mixed Light in Your Office Area

• Change your light bulbs. Many manufacturers make light bulbs available in different color temperatures. Do your best to make sure that all of the lights in your Zoom room are of the same
  color temperature or as close as you can. For example, if you have a lot of windows with sunlight pouring through, be sure to purchase bulbs that are in the daylight spectrum. This will give a
  much more pleasing and natural look to your video. You may also want to consider using an RGB LED light bulb.  These lights are adjustable, both in color and brightness.
• Turn off lights that do not match.  Don’t be afraid to turn some lights off. Sometimes it is better to turn a light off than to have a light that is a different color temperature.
• If you have a camera that allows you to adjust the color temperature, but sure to set it to match the lighting.
• Purchase studio lighting if your budget allows.

Studio Lighting

One of the main reasons many commercial photographers do not solely use sunlight is they need to be able to create any type of light at any time of day, and any time of year. Studio lighting will give you consistent results every time. If your goal is to have a setup that just works this is the way to go. Studio lighting has many advantages over household lights and even daylight. It can be adjusted for brightness and in many cases color temperature.

In recent years LED lights have grown in popularity for their power efficiency, size, cool operating temperature, weight, and flexibility when compared to more traditional studio lighting. LED lighting has also seen a dramatic drop in overall cost.

As we stated earlier, when selecting a light, size matters. You will see many different options for lighting your zoom room. You need to remember a few things.

• The larger the light source, the softer and more flattering the light will be.
• What is the color temperature range of the light you are considering.

Types of LED Lights

One of the most popular lights available today is the ring light. Ring lights create a beautiful light that many love. It is the de facto standard for the Instagram fashion or beauty blogger. No doubt, because it’s smooth and even light. The tell-tail of the ring light, and why some-including myself, choose not to use it are the circular catchlights you will see in the eye.

But, just as some do not care for the catchlight the ring light provides, just as many love it. So, don’t let that hinder you. Quality ring lights can be found for a great price.

The next type of light you may consider is the LED panel. Panels are manufactured in many sizes. Just remember that size matters. I would urge you to get the largest-sized panel your budget allows.

The last consideration for a LED light is the color temperature range. Some LED panels have a set color temperature – normally about 5500ºK or daylight. Higher quality panels may be bi-color. These lights have LEDs that are balanced to 3200ºK (incandescent light) and 5500ºK (daylight). You can set the color temperature anywhere in that range.

Things to Remember

• It is important to remember that the larger the light the softer and better it will make you look.
• The angle of the light is important. Never place the main light behind you whether that is a window or a house light.
• Always make sure the brightest light is used as the main light for you.
• Be sure that all of the lights in your space are in the same color temperature range. If you follow these steps you will be well on your way to having great light on your next virtual presentation.

Title Image by Chris Montgomery on Unsplash

The post 4 Ways to Improve the Lighting for Your Next Zoom Call! appeared first on Metro Technical Services.

By: Shelagh Bolger

If your year was anything like mine, it saw one video call after another. Many of us were not prepared to turn our homes into a full-time office – and curating a backdrop for our video calls was the least of our worries! But as days turned into weeks turned into months, we’ve all realized that video calls are here to stay, so we must thoughtfully consider our virtual presentation to clients, colleagues, and friends. Use the tips below to curate a professional, tidy, and aesthetically pleasing backdrop for your next zoom meeting. 

1.  Select a Neutral, Clean Background

One of the most important elements to consider when preparing for a video call is selecting the wall that will be your backdrop. Opt for a wall with a solid colored background. Avoid stripes or patterns as these become distorted on camera, which will ultimately distract your viewers from focusing on you and your content. 

If you select a space that has shelves or bookcases, be sure to tidy them up. Remove any excess clutter and take some time to assess how the pieces on the bookshelf look as individual pieces, as well as a cohesive unit. Consider removing a few items from shelves or bookcases to allow for some empty space on camera. You can always refill the space after your video call.

Take note of how the subject (in this case, you!) is framed by props and decor. You want to avoid styling mistakes such as a plant looking like it is coming out of the speaker’s head, or large text (in artwork, a poster) being partially cut-off from the shot which could potentially distract viewers as they ponder what the full text would read if completed. By framing the subject in a tasteful way, you are drawing focus and attention where it should be – on the presenter. 

Make sure your desk is clear of any trash, dishes, mail, etc…You want to present a professional and clean look to your colleagues and clients.

2. Add Texture

Texture is a first principle of design. It adds dimension and warmth to a space. To make your video background feel real and inviting, add texture through the use of wood, rattan, wool, or metal. Below are some ways to add these materials to your backdrop:

• Install a beautiful piece of driftwood on your wall to add a coastal feel to the space.
• Opt for a unique desk that brings in gorgeous texture with this rattan piece.
• Throw a beautiful wool blanket on your chair- it will add both comfort and depth to your look! 
• Invest in a cool, industrial-style bookshelf to display your favorite photos, awards, and keepsakes.

3. Bring the Outdoors In

It’s been a difficult year for many, having to connect with family, friends, and colleagues virtually rather than in-person. Make your background feel real and inviting through the use of plants, florals, and faux trees. Adding a bit of nature to your screen will make your viewers feel that what they are seeing is a little more real. 

Opt for potted plants on your desk, hanging plants installed from the ceiling, or air plants hung on the wall. Real or faux potted indoor trees make a statement with their height. Bonus- plants will purify the air in your space. 

Set a bouquet of flowers on your desk or table. This is a beautiful way to add color and dimension to your video set. Many grocery stores sell reasonably priced options that are already styled as a centerpiece – so no need to be a floral master yourself!

4. Color is Key

Many studies have been conducted which suggest that color can have a great impact on human emotion- affecting us both positively and negatively. For instance, red ignites passion, blue is a calming hue, and green and white promote feelings of health and well-being. Given this, one should pay particular attention to the colors used in their video set: What are you trying to project to your viewers about yourself? And how do you want your viewers to feel? A few color/mood associations are listed below:

• Blue: Calming, purity, universally appealing color
• Purple: Regal symbolism, strength, power
• Red: Passion, appetite, battle, love, extreme emotions
• Green: Nature, rejuvenation, hope, envy 
• Yellow: Sunlight, brilliance, treachery
• White: Cleanliness
• Black: Strength, authority, sorrow

Carefully consider your color scheme, taking into account how color affects human emotion. Perhaps you want the overall feeling to be clean (white walls) whilst also projecting strength (black accent pieces). Keep in mind that while you want to incite positive feelings, it’s also good to show your personality. Use your favorite colors in the space – even if it’s just a pop of a favorite hue in the flowers on your desk or a framed poster on the wall. 

Styling a clean, professional, and thoughtful space for your video calls takes creativity and intention but will make such a difference in your online interactions. Hopefully, 2021 brings more in-person moments for us all, but in the meantime, impress your colleagues and friends with your thoughtfully styled backdrop – one that highlights order and beauty, and never detracts from the main event- you!

About the Author:

Shelagh Bolger is a full-time event planner and freelance stylist based in Washington, D.C. who works on events of all types and sizes from intimate dinners for eight to large galas featuring the President of the United States. On the weekend you can find her feng-shuing her bedroom or picking up coffee and fresh-cut blooms at Eastern Market. 

To follow her adventures as an event planner and stylist, check out her Instagram

*Computer Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash

The post 4 Tips for Styling a Picture Perfect Video Call appeared first on Metro Technical Services.

By: DcSoundOp

Virtual meetings are a struggle, but they are not going away anytime soon. Everyone really is doing their best to keep up. Keeping businesses going, teaching important lessons, solving everyday problems, all while sorting through countless new technologies and options for how to get it all done. There is a lot to do.

In recent months I’ve talked with friends who are musicians, teachers, business people, doctors & medical professionals, all with common frustrations. Hearing from them, it’s clear that each industry and person has unique challenges to consider. Also, many people are dealing with details beyond their control and limited budgets for finding solutions.

It is obvious that everyone wants to show their work, message, or story in the best possible light. You can hear it in the frustration when best efforts go off the rails. But we can help by understanding that while everyone’s end goals & resources are vastly different, the fundamentals of good virtual meetings are the same. Anyone can apply these fundamentals, no matter the budget. They are quick to try and offer tons of value for the effort.

Lights

Lighting is everything in video. It doesn’t have to be complex or expensive, just given proper care and planning. Light arguably makes the biggest difference in achieving good results with any video project. The camera and other gear involved are all relying on good light to produce their best results.

Use natural window light to your advantage whenever possible, it is cheap and plentiful. Pay close attention to how you’re using it, though, as you set things up. Windows behind the subject, leaving faces in deep shadow is a very common mistake to make. Big picture windows & pretty garden views often seem like the perfect plan, but a poorly lit face & a blown-out white box is typically the unfortunate result.

Position your subject so light hits the face, you’d think that was obvious. Sheer curtains are an inexpensive way to diffuse light for a softer & more flattering look. Even with great windows though, daylight is variable and we are sure to be working more after dark as the seasons change.

Modern LED video lights are thankfully inexpensive and offer reliable & consistent results you can easily repeat. Choose a light with some sort of diffusion & place it close to the subject, just off-axis to their sightline to the camera. Look for any reflections in eye-glasses, eliminating them by repositioning the light as needed. Check out this video from DSLR Video Shooter for more ideas on how to light a subject on a budget.

A neutral color wall, at least three feet behind the subject makes an ideal backdrop. Something with more personality might be tempting, but web-cameras struggle with cluttered backdrops. Don’t create distractions when the focus should be on you. Keep it simple & if you want to add some pop, try a hair light. Extra lights are a great way to build dimension & better define the subject.

Audio

There are endless ways to customize and improve your audio setup for virtual work. Professional-grade tools like an audio interface, microphone, and headphones are certainly something to work towards for heavy users. For many users though, you don’t need to go so far to see a benefit.

Avoid these two BIG mistakes at all costs:

1) Never use your device in speakerphone mode.

2) Always MUTE your microphone unless you intend to speak.

Pay attention to your virtual audio etiquette & your peers will overlook most other technical issues.

The earbuds that came with your device are a great place to start. Bluetooth headphones are a great option too, and there are tons to choose from. I always prefer a wired headset. Apple earbuds aren’t very comfortable, but they have been remarkably reliable over the years.

Bluetooth offers some great benefits, but days will happen when batteries run low & pairing issues arise, leaving you out of luck. There is a good reason that professional productions don’t use wireless unless there is a real need. Wired gear is always more reliable, sounds better, and generally costs far less than wireless versions.

Microphones come in all shapes and sizes. On the low end are some great all-in-one microphone that offers USB-C connectivity and a built-in headphone amplifier for easy setup. For more specialized microphones, you’ll need an audio interface to handle that connectivity.

Different situations may call for a headset or lavalier microphone or even a broadcast style microphone like the Shure SM7b that has become so popular in recent years. Dedicated hardware to mix multiple microphones & process the audio before it hits the computer is limited only by your imagination & budget. You’ll know you need that when you get there.

Video

Like audio, the possibilities to capture and process video are endless. You could rent a full broadcast studio for your next virtual meeting, or use a spare bedroom and the camera you bought for your last vacation. You’d be surprised by how similar the results can be with a bit of careful planning.

The big mistake I see here is simply not setting up the shot. Especially when using the built-in camera on your phone, tablet, or laptop, get it up off the desk & closer to eye level. This simple change will fix so many problems.

For phones and tablets, I like to use clamps from SmallRig (with a cell phone or tablet holding clamp) as they provide the most flexibility. A plain old shoe-box or other cardboard box is my favorite way to get the camera up to the correct height for laptops. Unless you’re a headlining DJ, the chrome laptop stand is probably a bit overkill.

Raising your camera improves the geometry of your backdrop. It also makes a much more flattering angle for the subject. Not many people would take a selfie with the camera on a desk, looking up their nose and distorting their features.

The selfie game has been going strong for years. You know you look best using an outstretched arm and pointing the camera down slightly from above. Use your instincts to experiment and find your best angles, then highlight them.

Computer

In many cases, the hardware is provided by an employer & out of your control, don’t despair. There may still be a few things you can do to ensure the best results. The first one is so easy and could easily save your job.

Before doing anything else, stop and create a dedicated user profile on your device just for virtual meeting software. Treat this profile like a public computer you might use in a lecture hall or conference room to give a presentation. Nothing should be stored locally to it, presentation files can be loaded from a USB drive & erased after use.

Clear the desktop, brand it with your logo if you like, and only sign into relevant software and services that you are comfortable for viewers to see when they pop-up at random. You can then prepare this environment with any needed presentation files and test them prior to joining each meeting.

It worries me to see professional business people & educators presenting in virtual forums to the public and their peers with all manner of sensitive information on their computer desktop. Notifications are often popping up throughout, with all sorts of potentially embarrassing or career-ending message previews displayed for everyone’s benefit.

No different than clearing your desk of sensitive documents and muting your ringer for an in-person meeting at the office, a clean virtual environment is even more critical in avoiding embarrassment.

Divide & Conquer

As you can, try to use dedicated devices for important tasks. The device handling the video call should not be tasked with anything else during the call. Try to handle web browsing, taking notes, referencing email, and other tasks on a separate device. Multitasking is great, but it’s asking for trouble during a live presentation.

Dedicated devices don’t typically need to be powerful or expensive as they handle just one specific task. Using this approach also leaves some budget to have backups on hand. Avoiding failures altogether is impossible, but you can easily be prepared with a backup solution as soon as issues arise.

Network

Use wired internet whenever possible during video calls, no matter the device. It’s a cheap way to significantly improve the quality of your meetings without any real work. WiFi has security limitations and provides a fraction of the speed and reliability of a wired solution, even in good circumstances. How about tablets & smartphones? Pickup a lightning to ethernet adapter for iOS devices, or a USB to ethernet adapter for devices with USB-C . Wired internet eliminates tons of issues & should be your standard procedure.

Backup

Always have another device ready in the event of a failure. If you use a computer for a video call, keep a tablet or phone nearby and signed in to the same service. Before the call starts, have extra headphones and a charger on hand. Seamlessly reconnecting with a simple device when issues arise will help keep the conversation going.

These are just a few fundamentals and ideas that will hopefully get you thinking in a different way about streaming & video conferencing.

Metro Technical Services provides sales, installation, and consulting services.  If you have questions or need assistance we can help.  Email or give us a call at (301) 470-2142.

The Author

DcSoundOp.com is an independent creator producing Pro Audio and production focused content for all skill levels. Videos & articles include in-depth gear reviews, teardowns, interviews, how-tos & sound system walkthroughs. Reach out on social media @dcsoundop or directly at info@dcsoundop.com with questions if you’ve got them.

*Laptop Photo by Philipp Katzenberger on Unsplash

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