Sound Spec BS DetectorEasyStagecraft Course · Tier 1B · Module 5 (Reading a Sound Spec) · v1.0 · 6 common over-spec patterns + the question for each
Why this matters. Sound suppliers default to touring-tier scope because that's their reference market. School-musical scope is materially smaller + different. The 6 patterns below are how that touring default sneaks into your quote. Spot the pattern, ask the question, save the money.
1
Premium digital console for school-scale plot
The pattern
DiGiCo S21 (A$540/day), Yamaha CL5 (A$580/day), or Allen & Heath dLive on a school musical with under 32 inputs.
Why it might be legitimate
Operator familiarity. Some engineers only program on one console.
Why it's usually over-spec
Yamaha QL1 (A$320/day) or A&H SQ-6 covers 32-input + 16-output scope with full recall + scene saves. Difference is operator preference, not capability.
Ask
"What features of [premium console] are we using that a Yamaha QL1 or A&H SQ-6 doesn't support? If none, can we substitute?"
Saving: A$200-260/day × hire days = A$1,800-2,400.
2
Line array on a 380-seat school theatre
The pattern
JBL VTX, L-Acoustics K-Series, or d&b Y-Series line array specified for a venue under 600 seats.
Why it might be legitimate
Venue has unusual coverage challenges (deep balcony, long throw, wide auditorium).
Why it's usually over-spec
Point-source pair (2× QSC K12.2 or RCF HDL10) + 2× subs covers 380 seats cleanly. Line array is concert-festival kit.
Ask
"Why line array for 380 seats? Point-source has covered this venue for previous productions."
Saving: A$300-500/day × hire days = A$2,700-4,500.
3
Wireless premium tier on ensemble
The pattern
All wireless channels on ULX-D (A$220/day), Axient (A$320/day), or Sennheiser EW-DX premium.
Why it might be legitimate
Leads or principal actors. Audio focus + audibility critical.
Why it's usually over-spec
SLX-D on ensemble channels — audible difference at 380 seats is zero. Cost difference is A$80/day per channel.
Ask
"Keep ULX-D on the 2 leads; SLX-D on the 8 ensemble. Confirm audible parity at our venue scale."
Saving: 8 channels × A$80/day × hire days = A$5,000-6,000.
4
IEMs in monitor mix for the band
The pattern
In-ear monitor packs (A$180-240/day per channel) specified instead of wedges.
Why it might be legitimate
Band size requires per-musician mix. Some MDs strongly prefer IEMs.
Why it's usually over-spec
Wedges at A$95/day each cover school bands fine. Most school musicians prefer wedges anyway (less isolation).
Ask
"Has the MD requested IEMs? If not, wedges are 50% cheaper + most school bands prefer them."
Saving: 3 IEM packs → 3 wedges = ~A$300/day × hire days = A$2,700.
5
System engineer day count padded
The pattern
Engineer scope of 4-5 days for what's actually a 1-2 day job.
Why it might be legitimate
Complex rig with multiple venues, repatch days, extensive sound design.
Why it's usually over-spec
School musical = 1 bump-in day + 1 tech-week day = 2 days. Show calls = sound op's job, not engineer.
Ask
"Walk me through the engineer's day-by-day scope. What's day 3 + 4 covering that the sound op doesn't?"
Saving: 2 engineer days × A$1,100/day = A$2,200.
Why it might be legitimate
Genuine PM scope on a complex production. ~5% of rig hire is reasonable.
Why it's usually over-spec
Multiple admin lines = double-billing what the engineer day rate covers. RF Class Licence is free. PM should be 5-7%, not 15-20%.
Ask
"Itemise each of these admin lines — what does each cover? Are any of them overlapping with the engineer day rate?"
Saving: A$800-1,500 in removed double-billing + invalid licence fee.
The pattern across all 6
Touring-tier defaulting. Suppliers reach for their concert/festival playbook.
"Premium for consistency" framing. ULX-D, DiGiCo, line array — all justified as "consistency" when point-source + mid-tier delivers same audible result.
Labour scope inflation. Engineer days padded; sound op rates padded.
Hidden margin in soft language. "Coordination", "admin", "set-up" — all camouflaging labour that's already in another line.
The 30-second BS scan
Console: school-tier (QL1 / SQ-6) or touring (DiGiCo / dLive)?
PA: point-source + subs (right) or line array (wrong for under 600 seats)?
Wireless: school-tier (SLX-D) on ensemble, premium (ULX-D) only on leads?
Monitors: wedges (right) or IEMs (often over-spec)?
Engineer days: 1-2 (right) or 4+ (padded)?
Admin fees: 1 line (PM only) or 4+ lines (double-billed)?
4+ correct answers = right-sized spec. 2-3 correct = some over-spec questions. Under 2 = significant over-spec, expect 30-40% reduction through negotiation.