A sign of the changing times is event walk-in music. Walk in music is the background music that is played as an audience files into a room and waits for the presentation to start. Years ago an event planner made a cassette tape to be played. The reproduction quality was not great but it served its' purpose. The introduction of the CD (cda format) player improved the quality of walk-in music. Soon people began to make their own custom CD's. Fast forward to today and event planners drop their iPod (MP3 format) at the AV tech table and walk away.
There are several ways to have an iPod play through a sound system. The best solution is to purchase the Apple Component AV cable which plugs into the 30-pin dock connector on the iPod or the docking station. Depending on the audio mixing console you have, cable adapters may be required to input into your mixer. The input level from the iPod is a line level signal that can be input directly to a mixer that has line level inputs. These are generally 1/4 inch or RCA style of inputs. If the mixer only has microphone level inputs then the signal should be first padded with a direct box. Please note that generally a line level signal can not be plugged directly into a house sound system as the inputs are generally microphone level (3 connector pins). A mixer or direct box should be used to pad the signal first. Some house sound systems do have a line level input available so it is always best to check with the venue before plugging in. The Apple Component AV cable also plays video signals that can be hooked up to a television or projector.
Another way to play an iPod through a sound system (though not the official recommended solution) is to plug a stereo mini cable into the headphone output, split the signal into the two mono outputs and if necessary use adapters to plug into a line level input on the mixer. Some mixers may have a 1/4 inch stereo input available. Turn the sound level down on the mixer and turn the volume of the iPod up full. Start a song on the iPod and then slowly bring the mixer fader up so that the music sounds natural.
With the video quality quickly improving it will only be a matter of time until the entire presentation will be driven by an iPod like device.
Many people are unaware that royalty fees need to be paid whenever a song is played for business purposes. SOCAN (Society of Composers, Authors and Music Publishers of Canada) collects and distributes these fees within Canada. Check out their website for a listing of events and the associated tariffs.
Back to Inland Broadcaster index page
