In the run-up to Chicago’s February 22nd elections for a new mayor and a slew of aldermen, media and publicity events abound. SimpleAV took part in some of the activity, providing services at a mayoral candidate’s forum for the Asian-American community on February 8th. In the photos below you’ll see how SimpleAV met challenges and satisfied the audio-visual requirements of the event.

Community members gave testimony from a podium mic while the four candidates responded from a table, each seated with their own microphone. To the right you can see our main and delay speakers, calibrated to ensure intelligibility at the back of the room.

Our Allen & Heath Mixer and modest dynamics rack helped SimpleAV control levels and provide audio feeds for camera crews.

CanTV and ABC News used audio feeds routed from the SimpleAV console.

SimpleAV set up two 7.5' by 10' screens for projection of simultaneous translations into two languages.

For full coverage of the event, check out this CANTV video, audio courtesy of SimpleAV:

SimpleAV ran sound for an Academic Quiz Bowl at Washington Park Charter school, one of Chicago’s CICS schools. Grade levels 3/4, 5/6, and 7/8 from four area schools competed fiercely, buzzing in to answer questions about math, science, language arts, and social studies. The event was serviced by a pair of small powered speakers flanking the audience of students and teacher coaches, while SM58 microphones for judges and quiz bowl competitors were controlled by our compact 8-channel mixer, the Soundcraft EPM8.

Coaches prep their students. We put powered speakers discreetly at the front corners of the room to cover the whole audience.

Washington Park faculty member Harvey Woods adjusts the school's projector as students file in.

Our Soundcraft EMP8 8-channel mixer controlled all judge and student microphones with ease.

A CICS teacher observes students as they write their answers.

SimpleAV works with schools on a regular basis for all kinds of events. Shoot us an email at info@simpleavchicago.com or call 773-236-7474 to find out how we can help you with your next academic function.

At Independence Grove Forest Preserve in June Oprisko performed on a circular medallion stage. With the musicians arranged in the middle, we placed three powered speakers around the stage to get maximum coverage with minimal obstruction.

Peter Oprisko sings from the medallion at Independence Grove Forest Preserve.

At the gazebo in Lake Bluff a few weeks ago, we had much less space to work with but still pulled off a great sound for almost 1,000 guests in attendance.

Rhythm and horns all packed in to a tiny gazebo stage. All mics were fed to a stage snake in front of the drummer.

Our Allen & Heath mixer provides more than enough input channels and routng options to cover a full drumset and a seven-piece band.

Trumpet, trombone, and saxaphones squeezed in close to maintain proper mic placement.

FOH rack for Peter Oprisko. Horn players love those monitor mixes...

Our next and final Peter Oprisko concert this year (so far) is on October 1st. Stay tuned for photos and updates.

LPAC staff Rob Svendsen and Chris lead the workout using a wireless headset mic.

Mackie powered speaker at each corner of the bike cluster, hard at work.

We used the wireless system from the indoor spinning class with the powered speaker setup.

Many thanks to the Lincoln Park Athletic Club and its members for hosting us and sweating it out in the last days of one of Chicago’s hottest summers ever.

Citizen Puppet is a four-piece rock band hailing from Evanston, IL. To give you a sense of what they sound like:

Citizen Puppet blends straight-forward roots rock with a melodic, harmonious core. Toss in a pinch of alt country twang, a dash of jam band flavor and mix liberally. Big guitars, lush vocal harmonies and driving rock rhythms make for a compelling, original sound and stage show.

After SimpleAV ran sound for Citizen Puppet in March, guitarist/vocalist Tony Hind documented the experience:

We hired SimpleAV to provide sound support for a charity gig my rock band played in Evanston, IL. SimpleAV’s price was the best we found, and the service was exceptional. Everyone complimented the band on our sound, and we all know that it takes a great sound man to make that happen – especially in a difficult, hard surface room like where this charity gig occurred. The crowd included all age ranges and musical tastes, for whatever that’s worth.

Of note, because this gig did not pay much (hence the “charity” designation), we specified SimpleAV’s most limited package of gear and support. Even this base level package consisted of pro-level gear and service. I can only imagine how great their more high-line offerings are.

We most definitely will be calling up SimpleAV again the next time we’re in need of sound support, and we suggest you do the same.

Head to Citizen Puppet’s myspace page to hear some tracks and stay updated on upcoming shows.

Many thanks to Tony and the band!

Costumes included the trademark flowery-pattern “Busey” t-shirts, wetsuits, and boarder shorts. Plastic assault rifle toys and blow-up beach gear were seen in abundance.

It was the audio-visual candy that really made the evening, though. Visual artist/technologist kitschpatrol installed his patented “video-surf” system, involving a Wii controller hooked up to a surfboard, allowing guests to surf their way through projected images of dramatic scenes from Point Break.


Downstairs, SimpleAV had rigged two powered speakers with a sub to accommodate a loud and raucous beach-themed misfits cover band, who had a chance to play with monitors for the first time in their career. Thanks to compression, we avoided feedback completely in spite of the high volume levels. Visiting DJs from Detroit, Michigan and Chicago’s own Bodywallet rounded out the evening with a hard-hitting electro set.

One of the guests had a few words regarding the SimpleAV setup:

Daniel was prompt, he was chill, and he was ready to make our special night f—in rad. And then he did.

I mean who can actually make an ill-practiced Misfits cover band sound great? This man can, and he whispered to me some of the secrets even, not like Ima bite his style or anything.

If you are looking to take your party to the next level you can and should hire these guys out. Won’t break your bank!

Plz consider the effects of some heavy bass and nice clean treble when it comes time for the shorties to dance a bit!

sway w me now

Check out pictures from the party’s “wetsuit duo” night Flickr: “Utah, GET ME TWO!”

Driverack series

Faber Electroacoustics Toolbox