PA system hire matters as soon as a room holds more people than a speaker can reach without shouting, or the discussion needs a microphone that moves around the floor. An AGM, an imbizo, a conference, an awards evening or an outdoor team day all sound very different. Tell us the event, the venue, the number of people and how many microphones you need, and we pass your request to independent sound and AV hire firms in your area, who quote you directly, usually with a technician. The request is free.
What a conference PA includes
A typical hire for a conference or AGM includes:
- Speakers on stands, sized for the room or outdoor area
- A mixer to balance microphones and laptop sound
- Microphones: a gooseneck on the lectern, handhelds for questions
- Cables, stands and a connection for video sound
- A technician who sets up, sound checks and stays for the event
For bigger halls, the firm may add delay speakers further back and monitors on stage.
Handheld, lapel or headset microphones
A handheld microphone suits an MC, panel members and questions from the floor; plan one or two roving mics for a room that will ask a lot. A lapel (lavalier) microphone clips on and frees the hands of a facilitator or trainer who walks around or writes on a flip chart. A headset stays at the same distance from the mouth, good for a speaker who moves a lot on stage. Wireless microphones need fresh batteries: ask the technician to bring spares.
Outdoor events and backup power
Outdoors, sound carries away and wind is a problem, so speakers need more power and microphones need windshields. Say if the event is in a marquee, on a lawn or on a sports field. Ask about power: will the firm bring a generator, or connect to the venue's supply, and what happens during load-shedding? A small UPS keeps the mixer and wireless receivers on through a short cut. Check how long setup takes, so it happens before guests arrive.
What to tell the hire firm
The more detail, the better the quote: the date and times, the venue and whether it is indoor or outdoor, the number of people, how many microphones of each kind, whether there is video with sound, and if you need the session recorded. For screens too, see projector hire.
Say too if delegates will speak in more than one language, as an imbizo or community meeting may need extra microphones for interpreters, and whether there is a programme director or MC who will hand the microphone around. Ask for the sound check to happen before the doors open, with the actual microphones the speakers will use. Agree who looks after the wireless microphones during breaks, so they do not go missing, and confirm the time the firm will strike the equipment after the last session.
What to include in your brief
- Date, times and the venue
- Indoor, marquee or outdoor
- Number of people in the audience
- How many and which kind of microphones
- Technician, recording and backup power
PA System and Microphone Hire for business, government and communities
- Companies and head offices: sound for conferences, sales kick-offs and year-end functions
- Government departments and municipalities: PA for imbizos, community meetings and municipal events in halls or tents
- Schools, colleges and universities: sound for prize-givings, sports days and district conferences
- NPOs, churches and community groups: a PA for an AGM, church event or community meeting
- Small and family businesses: a small speaker and one microphone for a launch or staff function
- Mines, plants, factories and farms: sound for safety days and shift meetings at a mine or plant
- Event organisers and associations: full conference sound with a technician, several mics and recording
- Training and skills development providers: a lapel microphone and speaker for large training groups
Frequently asked questions
Do you hire out PA systems yourselves?
Do I need a technician with the PA hire?
How many microphones do I need for an AGM?
Can the PA hire firm record the session?
PA System and Microphone Hire by province and city
- Johannesburg
- Pretoria
- Centurion
- Midrand
- Sandton
- Randburg
- Roodepoort
- Krugersdorp
- Randfontein
- Germiston
- Boksburg
- Benoni
- Kempton Park
- Alberton
- Vanderbijlpark
- Vereeniging
- Durban
- Pinetown
- Pietermaritzburg
- Richards Bay
- Newcastle
- Ladysmith
- Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth)
- East London
- Kariega (Uitenhage)
- Mthatha
- Cape Town
- Bellville
- Paarl
- Stellenbosch
- George
- Worcester
- eMalahleni (Witbank)
- Middelburg
- Secunda
- Mbombela (Nelspruit)
- Rustenburg
- Brits
- Klerksdorp
- Potchefstroom
- Mahikeng
- Polokwane
- Tzaneen
- Kimberley
- Upington
- Bloemfontein
- Welkom
- Sasolburg