Pat heads the discussion, breaking concepts down into manageable, building-block chunks that logically tie together into the “big picture”. His great teaching strengths are a true grasp of all of this information that he translates into plain spoken (and experienced based) explanation, backed up by use of graphical display tools that add visual understanding to the verbal outline.

Not a bad seat in the house, courtesy of small class sizes and great A/V teaching tools.

Attendees are supplied with a host of tools, including an Excel spreadsheet (on disk) that functions as a handy calculator for all vital project parameters. This can be loaded on to your laptop if you bring it, allowing hands-on work in tandem with what Pat’s demonstrating on the display. The program also takes away need for a slide rule, thank goodness. (Darn that math anyway!)

Brenda has put together a well-organized binder of information that basically serves as the “script” for each session. A great thing about the binders is that the left pages are blank, allowing you to write plenty of notes based on Pat’s enhanced explanations. The binder serves as an invaluable reference tool for years to come; I’ve already consulted mine several times since the session.

Break time provides an opportunity to follow up with Pat.

Class runs from 8 am to 5 pm each day, with an hour for lunch and enough breaks to “lock, clear and re-load” for what’s next. The breaks are also a learning opportunity on their own; classes are comprised of attendees from a broad swath of the spectrum.

During my experience, I talked with two individuals wanting an overview in preparation for systems work at their church; a corporate A/V professional; a fellow who works with systems for the armed forces; two working contractors from the southeastern U.S.; two church sound techs, a leading consultant… a diverse lot serving to help one look at a problem and solution from different perspectives. (Pat’s also available during breaks for further discussion and clarifications.)

“On the run” Q & A is fostered during classes. If you don’t understand, feel free to ask – a lot of other folks are probably wondering the same thing, and often, some of your fellow attendees will offer the answer. That said, what impressed me most as Pat systematically introduced and explained concepts: this stuff makes sense, and in a way that stays with you.

The class also got a look at the systems at Southeast Christian Center in Louisville (left), with the tour conducted by system designer David Kennedy (talking to group, above).

“It depends” - Pat’s favorite initial response to the majority of questions. At first this seems inexact and wanting, but then comes the realization that this is the exactly correct answer. No two systems are exactly alike, and problems to be solved each have their own variables. “It depends” because it really does – what’s being taught is not just reliance on formulas and terminology, but the understanding of how all factors should be put to use in pursuit of proper solutions. “Cookie cutters” just don’t cut it.

The bottom line of my week at Syn-Aud-Con: the intensity of the brain-molding process can leave you dizzy, but this is its strength. Even before the sessions are over, you come to realize that the gift being bestowed is “system think” – practical, real-world application rather than just rote memorization. The entire project or problem is considered before the solution can be correctly formulated.

Just how much do you learn? It depends (!). I suspect it comes down to how one’s brain works, what is most relevant to each individual, how hard one concentrates… the human learning process. But perhaps just as important to specific information is the unbelievable motivation that comes from the unlocking of the mind so that it elevates to a higher plane of consideration.

By the way, reverberation is random energy that accumulates in a room over time, while reflections are sound waves that bounces off hard surfaces in a room and are unique to each listener position. Reflections can contain information, reverberation does not. How does RT60 play into the definition? I can tell you, but its best to learn it from Pat.