Will the whole system need to travel?
Relates to wireless microphones Fixed frequency units may not work at all if taken to another location.

What are the environmental requirements?
Noise pollution statutes can affect the design of a building to contain sound.

Special requirements will apply if you intend to use the auditorium for events requiring licensing permits, for example, multi-purpose assembly halls.

Ditto from your own perspective…
Nearby traffic noise, for instance, can be a real distraction.

What level of expertise does the average operator have?
System designers can make adjustments to cater to some extent for novice operators. Experienced, skilled operators, however, demand and make use of a wider range of facilities.

A high-power, complex system can serve to confuse novice operators and mitigate against the likely success of the system.

Is there a need for foldback?
Foldback loudspeakers allow vocalists to hear their own voice, instruments, etc. The use of loud foldback systems can be quite detrimental to the delivery of good sound in the listening space, however.

Placement of acoustic treatment at the rear of the dais can assist in controlling stray acoustical energy (“echo”, “reverb”, and etc.)

What are the architectural restrictions?
The sound controller should ideally sit in a position which reflects an average of the sound in the listening area. Ideally, simply in the middle of the listeners. Because the whole audience hears the whole service through the sound engineers ears.

Light dimmers?
Whilst it is useful to co-locate light and sound control desks it is wise to maintain separation of audio and high power light dimmer cables.

Will there be multi core “snake” cables used?
Drawing snakes through ducts can be difficult. Consider your capabilities in removing the connectors, which, in a bunch, are usually too large to fit through a conduit.

Ducting size?
The use of audio “snake” cables is cost effective but the diameter of the cable is large - and arge radius bends are needed in ducts.

It is also better to put too many ducts into a concrete slab than risk under-doing the job.

Loudspeaker location?
Needs to be chosen carefully to plan not only for pre-cabling and audience coverage but also for ensuring adequate support structure is in place.

Loudspeaker cable routing?
The length of a speaker cable run is a determinant in wire size required. Long runs require larger diameter cables.

A proper design includes wire size calculations to maintain proper “damping factor” of the speaker to avoid excessive cone excursion.

Power distribution and nearby radio/TV?
The requirement for separate power cable feeds to different parts of a sound system can bring about a need for specially chosen “hum resistant” equipment and/or isolation devices and special cabling techniques in severe cases. Radio frequency interference (RFI) needs to be considered in the same vein.

Physical access?
Physical access to cabling and equipment is crucial to future serviceability, Try to ensure that ample removable panels are provided because every sound system needs updating sooner or later and all equipment made and installed by humans has a failure rate.

Ventilation?
Electronics (generally) and power amplifiers (especially) require generous air movement to maintain temperature stability. Try to ensure generous ventilation gaps are provided top and bottom of racks/cabinets to facilitate thermal air movement.

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