Daryl Cobb's PRESENTER'S SERVICES

Block #12: Presentation Equipment

Perform with piece of mind!

In a perfect world you can walk into a school and your set up will be waiting for you.

LCD
Computer
Sound System
Cordless Microphone
Bottled Water
Tables
Chairs

Whatever your needs, it will all be waiting for you and all you'd have to do is pop in the thumb drive and go to work. But there are schools where this perfect world does not exist. After 18 years of doing programming in schools I have found that being self-reliant is always the best way to go.

I bring all my own equipment. Bringing my own gear guarantees that no matter what problems occur the school is going to get the best experience I can give them. Plus, it gives me choices. I now have the option of using the school's set up, or I can use my own. But in the end, I am going to choose the option that makes my presentation look and sound the best.

No access to a computer
No easy access to your own computer
Computer hook up is on stage, behind stage curtains
Cabels that don't reach the performance space
Bad cables
Schools that don't allow portable hard drives
Too Much Light in the room can kill the visuals on a movie screen
Windows with no blinds
Lighting that is all on or all off (No Dimming Options)
No Movie Screen
Bad viewing options - In large groups a movie screen is always the best option. With a TV and Smartboards small viewing screen, they are more appropriate for smaller groups.
No viewing options at all

I have had other authors weigh in on this top in Facebook Groups, and one of the concerns was the investment, the dollars spent on equipment. And I have to say, if you are only doing 5-10 author visits a year and you are only charging a nominal fee to do them, then investing $2000.00 or $3000.00 into AV equipment might not be make sense.

But as the photos show you, you will eventually be put in a situation that compromises your programs, so leaving yourself no options can be detrimental to the presentation. Each school year I face these types of obstacles, but they never interfere, as I am well prepared.

If you are considering buying equipment

There are several items vital to presenting:

A reliable, quality sound system
Cordless hands free microphone (A head microphone is always the best option for those that move around)
A Daylight LCD projector, (one that can be seen crystal clear in the daylight)
A reliable computer
Power Point advancer/clickers!
I own 1 8-foot portable movie screen, just in case the viewing options are too small
Batteries
Backups (microphone, cables, clickers and batteries)

Head Microphone with Bodypack Transmitter

Shure BLX14/P31 Wireless Microphone System
14-Hour Battery Life
300 ft Range,
UHF | Includes PGA31 Headset Mic
Bodypack Transmitter,
Single Channel Receiver | H10 Band (BLX14/P31-H10)
$379.00 on Amazon

This is a performers microphone, and they don't get much better.

Fender Passport Event S2 / Sound

Fender Passport Event S2 Portable PA System Bundle
Compact Speaker Stands
XLR Cable
Instrument Cable
Amazon $1049.00

This is the midsize Fender, and the one that use. Mine is about 14 years old at this point but produces wonderful sound. And if you're a singer, it allows you to control the base, treble and reverb, which brings that signing voice to life.

Epson Pro LCD EX11000 3-Chip 3LCD Full HD

Epson Pro EX11000 3-Chip 3LCD Full HD
1080p Wireless Laser Projector,
4,600 Lumens Color/White Brightness
Miracast
2 HDMI Ports
USB Power for Streaming
Built-in 16W Speake
Amazon $1399.00

When looking for an LCD, just keep in mind that there are plenty of cheaper options, but to project in a daylight space you need the projector to cast brightness and that is gauged by the Lumens. The more the better.

My first projector was a 4000 lumens projector which I still had some lighting issue in sever direct sunlight. The Epson Pro I posted is a year newer than mine but has the same brightness at 4600 lumens, and so far, there hasn't been a space that it didn't outshine. The LCD being used in the photo above is that Epson model.