How Do You Choose an Audio Visual Company in Lagos?

Choosing the right audio visual company in Lagos can have a major impact on the success of an event.

A professional AV provider does more than supply speakers, microphones or screens. The right company should understand your event requirements, recommend appropriate equipment, manage technical setup and provide the expertise needed to keep the production running smoothly.

Before choosing an AV company, consider these seven areas:

1. Experience
2. Equipment
3. Technical expertise
4. Event requirements
5. Setup and soundcheck
6. Reliability and backup planning
7. Cost and value

What Does an Audio Visual Company Do?

An audio visual company provides equipment and technical services used to deliver sound, video and other production requirements for events and venues.

Depending on the company, services may include:

• Sound reinforcement
• PA system rental
• Microphone systems
• Digital mixing consoles
• Stage monitoring
• Backline supply
• LED screens
• Video systems
• Event recording
• Live streaming
• AV installations
• Technical consultancy
• Event production support

Not every AV company provides all of these services, so it is important to confirm exactly what is included in your quotation.

1. Look at the Company’s Experience

The first thing to investigate is whether the company has experience with events similar to yours.

A company that primarily handles small corporate meetings may not necessarily be equipped to manage a large outdoor concert.

Likewise, a company experienced in concerts may not be the right choice for a complex permanent AV installation.

Ask:

• What types of events have you worked on?
• Have you handled events of similar size?
• Have you worked at the venue before?
• Can you show examples of previous projects?
• Do you provide technical personnel during the event?

Relevant experience matters because every venue and production has different technical challenges.

Why Venue Experience Matters

Lagos has a wide variety of event spaces, from conference rooms and hotels to churches, event centres, outdoor venues and large entertainment spaces.

A company familiar with your venue may already understand:

• Access restrictions
• Loading areas
• Stage dimensions
• Power availability
• Rigging limitations
• Acoustic characteristics
• FOH positions
• Setup schedules

However, even when a company has worked at a venue before, the specific event should still be assessed independently.

2. Ask What Equipment They Provide

Don’t simply ask:

“Do you have a sound system?”

Ask what equipment will actually be used for your production.

For sound reinforcement, this may include:

• Main speakers
• Line arrays
• Point source speakers
• Subwoofers
• Stage monitors
• Digital mixing consoles
• Microphones
• DI boxes
• Digital stage boxes
• Signal processors
• Amplifiers
• Cabling

For video production, it could include:

• LED displays
• Projectors
• Cameras
• Video processors
• Playback systems
• Switching equipment

The equipment should be appropriate for the event rather than selected simply because it is available.

Does Equipment Brand Matter?

Brand can matter, but it should not be the only factor.

Professional equipment from established manufacturers can offer reliability and predictable performance, but system design and deployment are equally important.

A good speaker system in the wrong configuration may produce worse results than a more appropriately designed system.

The question should therefore be:

“Is this equipment appropriate for my production?”

rather than simply:

“Is this an expensive brand?”

3. Make Sure the Company Understands Your Event

A professional AV company should ask questions before recommending equipment.

For example:

• What type of event are you organising?
• How many people are expected?
• Where is the event taking place?
• Is it indoors or outdoors?
• How large is the performance area?
• What type of entertainment is involved?
• How many performers will be on stage?
• Do you have a technical rider?
• Do you require recording or streaming?
• What is the event schedule?
• When can the production team access the venue?

These questions help determine the appropriate technical solution.

If a company gives you a quotation without asking about your event requirements, that should prompt further questions.

4. Consider the Audience Size and Venue

Audience size is important, but it isn’t the only factor.

A 500 person event in a small enclosed hall may require a very different system from a 500 person outdoor event spread across a large area.

The production team should consider:

Audience size

How many people need to hear or see the production?

Audience coverage

How wide and deep is the audience area?

Venue acoustics

Will reflections or reverberation affect clarity?

Stage location

Where will the performers or presenters be positioned?

Room layout

Are there balconies, side areas or other spaces requiring additional coverage?

Outdoor conditions

Will wind, distance and weather affect the deployment?

The system should be designed around these factors.

5. Ask About Technical Personnel

Equipment does not operate itself.

A professional production may require:

• FOH engineer
• Monitor engineer
• System technician
• Stage technician
• Video technician
• Lighting technician
• Stage manager

The exact team depends on the size and complexity of the event.

For a small presentation, one technician may be sufficient.

A large concert may require several specialised personnel.

Ask whether technical personnel are included in the quotation or charged separately.

6. Confirm Setup and Soundcheck

One of the most important questions to ask an AV company is:

“When will your team arrive for setup?”

A professional production needs enough time for:

1. Equipment delivery
2. Stage setup
3. Cabling
4. System configuration
5. Line checks
6. Soundcheck
7. System tuning
8. Troubleshooting

For live music, the soundcheck is particularly important.

The team may need to check microphones, instruments, monitor mixes, the main PA and other technical requirements before the audience arrives.

Don’t Leave Technical Setup Until the Last Minute

Late setup can create unnecessary pressure.

If the event starts at 6:00 PM, it does not mean the AV company should arrive at 5:30 PM.

The setup schedule should account for the size and complexity of the production.

7. Ask About Backup Equipment

Professional events need contingency planning.

Equipment can fail.

Cables can develop faults.

Wireless systems can experience interference.

Power problems can occur.

Ask the AV company:

• Do you carry backup microphones?
• Do you have spare cables?
• Is backup equipment available?
• What happens if a mixing console develops a fault?
• Who handles technical emergencies during the event?

The appropriate backup strategy depends on the size and risk profile of the production.

The larger and more critical the event, the more important redundancy becomes.

8. Check Whether They Can Work With a Technical Rider

If an artist or performer has provided a technical rider, send it to the AV company before booking.

A technical rider may specify:

• Microphones
• Mixing console
• Monitor requirements
• Backline
• Input list
• Stage plot
• IEM systems
• Power requirements
• Preferred equipment

The AV company should review these requirements and identify any issues before the event.

This is particularly important for concerts involving established artists or touring productions.

What If the Requested Equipment Is Not Available?

That doesn’t necessarily mean the company cannot handle the event.

The important thing is communication.

The production team should identify suitable alternatives and confirm them with the artist or production manager before show day.

9. Review Previous Projects

Ask to see examples of previous work.

Look for projects similar to yours.

For example:

Corporate event:
Has the company handled conferences or executive events?

Concert:
Has it provided sound reinforcement for a large live production?

Church:
Has it installed or operated sound systems in worship environments?

Outdoor event:
Has it handled large audience coverage outdoors?

Project experience can tell you much more than a generic statement that a company provides “world class solutions.”

10. Don’t Choose Based on Price Alone

Price is obviously important.

But the cheapest quotation may not be the cheapest solution if it results in:

• Poor sound coverage
• Inadequate equipment
• Insufficient technical staff
• Late setup
• Technical failures
• Additional last minute costs

When comparing quotations, look at what is actually included.

For example:

Item	Company A	Company B
Main PA	Included	Included
Subwoofers	Included	Extra
Mixing console	Included	Included
Engineers	Included	Extra
Setup	Included	Included
Soundcheck	Included	Not specified
Transport	Included	Extra
Backup equipment	Not specified	Included

A lower headline price doesn’t necessarily represent better value.

What Should an AV Quote Include?

A professional quotation should clearly identify the major components of the production.

Depending on the event, this may include:

• Equipment
• Quantity
• Technical personnel
• Transportation
• Setup
• Soundcheck
• Event operation
• Dismantling
• Additional technical requirements

If important details are missing, ask for clarification before confirming the booking.

Questions to Ask an AV Company Before Hiring

Use this checklist when comparing providers:

About the company

• How long have you been providing AV services?
• What types of events do you specialise in?
• Can you show examples of similar projects?

About equipment

• What equipment will you provide?
• Which brands and models are being proposed?
• Is the equipment appropriate for the venue and audience size?
• Do you have backup equipment?

About technical support

• How many technicians will be on site?
• Who will operate the system?
• Is technical support available throughout the event?

About setup

• When will setup begin?
• How long will setup take?
• Is soundcheck included?
• Will the system be tuned before the event?

About the quotation

• Is transportation included?
• Is setup included?
• Are technical personnel included?
• Are there additional charges?
• What happens if the event schedule changes?

How Much Does AV Rental Cost in Lagos?

There is no single price for AV rental in Lagos.

The cost depends on the scope of the production.

Factors can include:

• Event type
• Audience size
• Venue
• Equipment requirements
• Number of microphones
• PA configuration
• Video requirements
• LED screens
• Technical crew
• Setup duration
• Event duration
• Transportation
• Production complexity

A small corporate presentation and a large concert can have completely different technical requirements.

For that reason, a professional AV provider should assess the event before recommending a system and providing a final quotation.

When Should You Contact an AV Company?

Don’t wait until the week of the event if the production is complex.

Contact the AV company early enough to allow time for:

• Site assessment
• Technical planning
• Equipment confirmation
• Technical rider review
• Quotation
• Venue coordination
• Production scheduling
• Equipment preparation

Large concerts, conferences and installations may require considerably more planning time.

Why Professional AV Planning Matters

Good AV production is often invisible when it works properly.

The audience shouldn’t be thinking about whether the microphone is working.

They should hear the speaker clearly.

They shouldn’t be thinking about whether the PA is covering the venue.

They should experience consistent sound.

They shouldn’t notice technical problems.

That is the objective of good production planning.

Final Thoughts

Choosing an audio visual company in Lagos should involve more than comparing prices.

Look at the company’s experience, equipment, technical team, production process, backup planning and ability to understand your specific requirements.

The right AV company should be able to take your event brief and turn it into a practical technical plan.

Whether you’re organising a corporate event, concert, church programme, conference or large outdoor production, start the conversation early and make sure the technical requirements are clear.

Planning an Event in Lagos?

Royalty Global Sound provides professional sound reinforcement, backline supply, AV installations and technical consultancy for events and productions.

If you already know your venue and event requirements, share the details with the RGS team and discuss the appropriate technical solution for your production 

 

Talk to RGS About Your Event

Related RGS Services: Sound Reinforcement | Backline Supply | AV Installation | Technical Consultancy

Related Articles: What Is Sound Reinforcement? | What Is a Technical Rider? | What Is Backline Equipment? | Line Array vs Point Source Speakers