Planning Outdoor Concerts? AV Solutions That Handle Any Weather

by the Pynx Pro Staff

Outdoor concerts and events are fun, energetic, and unforgettable. However, when you organize one with the help of a concert production company you have to consider what you are going to do about the weather, which is so unpredictable.

Rain, intense sun or wind can impact your audio and visual equipment. Planners must be ready to embrace anything without any hitch. This is how you can be sure that your outdoor concert will not turn out to be a disaster.

Selecting Equipment That Can Withstand the Outdoors

Outdoor concerts are the kind where you have to put your gear through anything nature may present it with. This is the way to choose the appropriate gear:

Waterproof Gear: To take precautions for rain or sudden rain, use AV equipment that is waterproof. Most current speakers, microphones, and projectors are manufactured with weatherproof seals and are ready to face the rain. It will also be wise to add waterproof covers as additional protection.
UV Protection: UVs will gradually harm your gear when you are under the burning sun. Select AV equipment that is shipped with a UV-blocking finish, and just to be on the safe side, cover lighting rigs and projectors with tarps.
Temperature Control: Be it unbearably hot or terribly cold, extreme weather can sabotage your equipment. Choose devices that operate at a high or low temperature, and in case the temperature is intolerable, one should use fans or tents with AC to adjust the temperature to the optimal one.

Sound Solutions That Hold Up in the Open Air

Any concert production simply will not work without great sound, and the outdoor environment can be problematic to translate that. So, here is how to achieve clear audio that will be crisp-looking regardless of the weather:

Directional Speakers: Sound can be fouled up by wind and dispersed. Directional speakers concentrate the music in a certain direction, thus minimizing its distortion and ensuring that the music goes just where you want.
Line Array Systems: In case of large venues, you have the line array systems and an equalizer. These vertical speaker systems offer sound that is well distributed within a wide surface and ensure uniformity of the audio regardless of the audience’s location.
Subwoofers: Subwoofers are essential because the bass may disappear in an open environment rather quickly. They should be strategically placed in the best place to cover the bass of the entire venue.
Mic Wind Shields: I once worked at a job where I could hear a mic pick up the wind; it was a mess. Get some wind shields (or dead cats as they are sometimes called), particularly when you are in gusty weather, to make those vocals audio.

Visual Solutions That Pop in Any Weather

Most Outdoor concert production services are based on visuals, either on massive screens or in the form of projections. The quality can be spoiled by the sun, rain, and the wind, though. This is how to come out with the visuals in the correct way:

LED Screens: LED screens will always be your best friend, even in the open air. They can be viewed in the sunlight clearly, and they are more durable than others. Also, they do not consume much power in comparison to their old systems, and as such, they make a viable option to be used in outdoor locations.
Projection Mapping: Projection mapping allows you to experience anything on any surface and transform it to pack a visual punch. However, you will require a high brightness level of projectors to counter the brightness of the sunlight and obtain clear and sharp projections.
Visual Gear Protection: Your LED screens are durable, but there is always a need to be safe. Your projectors and screens can be covered against rain and sunlight using weather-proof enclosures. And provided so much as may be, keep them out of sight of the sun under an awning or tent.

Powering Your Event Without a Hitch

Consistent energy is necessary to maintain all things in a fine run. This is how you should go about managing the power requirement:

Generators: A backup facility is essential when you are outdoors. An emergency generator will ensure that all is going on with ease in the event of failure of your original power supply. Keep in mind that you need to ensure that you have one that can sustain the loads of all your AV equipment. Extra marks from noise-blocking models, which preserve quiet.
Battery Gear: Battery-powered gear is great to use with a smaller gig or as a backup. Lots of contemporary speakers, projectors, and mics are purchased with rechargeable batteries, having the capacity to perform for several hours of use. It cannot be used as an alternative to big events, yet it fits smaller setups perfectly.
Power Distribution: Be careful of your power distribution arrangement. Power strips and connectors should be weatherproof to prevent any accidents, and all the cables must be well tied to avoid any tripping cases.

Developing a Weather-Ready Stage

It is not just the look of your stage, but also weather-proofing your stage design. The trick of many event production services to have a stage that will not collapse is as follows:

Tents and Canopies: These are your best friends. A robust tent would keep your performers and equipment dry from rain or the sun. Ensure that it is well ventilated, hence it will not be very hot inside the box. Considering that you can use clear ones, which will attract a good view among the audience.
Wind Barriers: In a windy area, make some wind barriers around the stage. These will maintain your equipment stable and safeguard your listeners against gusty winds. Finally, temporary barriers may be a lifesaver.
Stage Flooring: The floor may be wet, and accidents may occur because of an undulating floor. Flooring should be non-slippery, and modular flooring is wonderful in terms of flexibility and safe walking.

Preparing for the Unexpected

With all the preparation, it is possible to be surprised by the weather. This is why some alternatives are good:

Weather: Be very observant with weather forecasts before your event. Updates about wind, temperature, and rain in real-time will enable you to make fast decisions, such as covering equipment or making schedule alterations.
Flexible Schedule: A flexible schedule comes in handy, especially when the weather takes a turn. A slowed-down show or an indoor temporary shift may be necessary. Some leeway is great when the weather goes on a rampage.
Communication with the audience: Keep in contact with your audience. In case things change because of the weather, inform them through social media, text messaging, or applications in order to be in touch at all times.

Test runs at the last moment.

It is necessary to test everything prior to the show. Check every audio, visual, and lighting unit by running them all to ensure proper functioning. The field tests will allow you to identify possible problems, such as the poor visibility of screens in the sunlight or the distortion of sounds in the wind.

Wrapping It Up

Planning an outdoor concert is definitely a challenge. But with smart choices and help from an event production company, you can create an environment that withstands any weather conditions. With the right solutions in place, your outdoor concert will be a success, rain or shine.

Make your next corporate event a success through Pynx Pro! Whether it is product launches, press conferences, or any other situation, we design audio-visual experiences that will impress the audience. Appreciated by such recognized brands as IKEA and Bell Canada, we manage staging to live streaming and do this perfectly.

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Planning Outdoor Concerts? AV Solutions That Handle Any Weather

Selecting Equipment That Can Withstand the Outdoors

Sound Solutions That Hold Up in the Open Air

Visual Solutions That Pop in Any Weather

Powering Your Event Without a Hitch

Developing a Weather-Ready Stage

Preparing for the Unexpected

Test runs at the last moment.

Wrapping It Up

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