Did you know that having good music can not only increase the ambiance of your space but also increase sales? It’s estimated that good, complimentary music can improve your sales by up to 9%!
But there are so many factors that go into choosing from the many background music systems and music genres. Don’t worry!
Here at JD Sound and Video, we can help you find the best system to help your customers be happier – and spend more. Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about music in your business!
Background Music Systems: The Options
Depending on the type of business you run, you’ll want to choose a sound system that suits your situation. Let’s look at all the different options to find the best sound system for you!
What Type of Business Do You Have?
This is perhaps the most important to consider when choosing a background music system. For instance, a restaurant sound system is likely going to be playing at lower volumes, while a bar music system will probably be quite loud.
For restaurant speakers or venues like cafes, you’ll want good quality that can be played low. This means having good coverage (or minimal variation of sound level throughout the venue). You don’t want one area to have loud music and another to be too quiet to hear.
For louder areas such as bars or clubs, it’s important to have good intelligibility. Ensuring that the lyrics are clear and understandable is often important to ensure people are having a good time. Learn more about sound system quality objectives here!
Easy Controls for Staff
Did you know things don’t have to be super complicated anymore? With a good sound system, you can make music easy to control via apps on phones or tablets. This makes changing the mood a breeze.
Maybe you’re having special holiday events and you want to switch things up. Modern systems make selecting new music easy for all of your staff so there’s less required oversight.
Special Concerns
If you expect your venue to host live music or events it’s important to consult with experienced sound technicians. They can ensure that the system is easy to set up and use, with low feedback and noise.
Or maybe you run something like a sports bar, where music isn’t necessarily the name of the game. In this case, you’re likely to have some unique challenges when it comes to having audio and video flexibility.
When combining dining, drinking, and watching, you will likely want to create specific audio zones for the different customers and their viewing preferences.
But What About the Music?
So now you have all these details about which system will work better for you, you’re probably wondering what music you should actually have. There is actually a lot of science behind what sound and music can mean to us.
Sure, it’s vibrations in the air – but those vibrations can tell us to stop what we’re doing and listen and feel something.
Volume
This is one of the most important considerations when it comes to your music. If music is being played too loudly, people won’t be able to have conversations easily.
Sometimes this is the desired effect when it comes to live music or a club venue. Loud music and less chatting can mean more drinks sold! Other times it’s an annoyance that can put people off at a restaurant.
Meanwhile, music played at low volumes can actually affect the taste of your food. It can be known as “sonic seasoning.”
Low-pitched sounds can focus people on bitter elements, and high frequency can bring out sweetness. Coordinating music to savory and dessert dishes can be a fun science to bring to your establishment.
Tempo
When the background music is fast, you tend to eat faster too! And conversely, when the music is slow people tend to linger.
This can be vital to know if you need to turn tables quickly. By playing upbeat and quick rhythm songs you can expect diners to finish up faster. However, don’t decide only to play the fast tunes.
When you play those slower songs diners are more likely to take longer to finish, that’s true. But they are also more likely to spend more on extra drinks and dessert.
The Genre
Yes, this can affect how your guests react too! If you want your establishment to be viewed as high-class and justify the higher prices, the music should compliment that. Play classical or jazz to get your guests in the mood to feel classy and spend more happily.
Similarly, if you want your space to feel family-friendly, that same jazz and classical can feel off-putting. Choose something like rock or pop to have your patrons relax and be less likely to linger.
Always make sure your employees know what the vibe of your restaurant should be. Repeat customers won’t enjoy a place changing the genre frequently. People like consistency, so avoid having rap one day and blues the next!
What Else Should I Know About Sound Systems?
Now that you know what to look for in background music systems, you should be ready to choose! But who should you go to for designing and installation? JD Sound and Video specializing in any type of commercial venue sound system installation.
We’re ready to tailor our audio systems to suit you and your venue’s needs. From small to large spaces, we’re here to tackle any project! Check out our services today.