So, we've talked about tech booth placement and the problems that the more aesthetically pleasing locations can cause.
Let's wrap up our exploration of tech booth concepts with looking at some guiding principles for the inside of the tech booth.
Principle #1:
And while it wasn't too small, it quickly filled up, and we really had no extra room to expand for large events or future needs.
Principle #2:
Principle #3:
Manuals and paperwork take up space, and if you're dealing with a crisis and need to look things up, you need some space to open the manual while you work.
Principle #4:
If your audio guy can't see the faces, arms and hands of the musicians, their reaction time will be slow, and the music will not be the best it can be. If you have a flat floor for house seating, you may need to get the booth up a few feet off the floor so the techs can see clearly over the heads of the congregation.
Principle #5:
The tech booth should have good access to the room and stage. The tech booth I mentioned earlier was at the front edge of an unfinished balcony space. Round-trip time to get to the stage was about four minutes, not counting the time working on a problem. That's a lot of time lost in pre-service rehearsals if there are problems that need fixing.
Principle #6:
The tech booth should also have difficult access for the congregation. The last thing techs need is random comments from the congregation during a serviceit's distracting, and the techs probably already know there's an issue and are dealing with it. And frequently, comments are contradictory.
I've heard uncountable stories from techs about how they get complaints about the music being too loud AND too soft from the same service. Don't make it easy for the congregation to get at the techs.
Principle #7:
If there's a way to do it, try to make the booth as distraction-free for those seated behind the booth. Keep monitor brightness turned down, and try to position things such that they are as invisible from the rear as possible. If your tech team needs to talk to one another during services, install an intercom system so they can speak quietly and still be heard clearly by the other techs across the booth.
If you have someone proficient in Google Sketchup or other 3D modelling programs, create a model of the booth you are considering, and place representations of your gear people in it. This can greatly help with ensuring your layout will work, and there's room for everyone to move about freely.