Note that not all wires can be next to each other. Some electrical contractors may ask if it’s O.K. to use PVC conduit instead of steel conduit, and the answer is to use steel whenever possible. Steel offers a magnetic shielding from electrical wiring, while PVC does not. So using steel can go a long way to eliminating nasty buzzes and hums.
However, if the budget dictates PVC, make sure that it’s located as far away as possible from electrical and other wiring. And, always keep separate microphone, loudspeaker, video, data, and other wires/cables.
Floor boxes are your friends, and wall panels and plates are a welcome substitute for floor boxes. My recommendation has been boxes/panels placed strategically around the perimeter of the stage. Install as many as possible, but keep them invisible from the seating areas.
Also remember that it’s important to be able to get cables outside of the “performance area” as quickly as possible.
Now, let’s fill these floor boxes/plates. Keep things organized with simple numbering: Box A jacks are numbers 1-12, Box B is 13-24, and so on.
You can have literally hundreds of sound system inputs at the stage, divided between the boxes, without being excessive and without confusion.
Jacks can accommodate a variety of inputs and outputs for other systems/uses as well, such as AC power, video, data, etc.
Drop snakes can also serve useful purposes. A drop snake simply takes the inputs of each box and links them to a new location on stage.
With a multipin connector-style snake, a multipin connector is placed in each floor box that duplicates the input of that box. (A mulitpin connector puts all of these lines into one connection, locking into place via a connector of the opposite “gender”.) Thus, all lines go through a single snake to a box or “ran” on the other end, which breaks out each line individually again.
This approach makes each input available at the box, and at the end of the snake. But it’s crucial never plug into both the input of the box and the same input on the snake: BAD THINGS WILL HAPPEN. The goal is to gain the option of connecting a mic cable to the floor box for input – OR – running the mic cable to the end of the snake.