Written by Workflow Audio Visual has supplied, installed and maintains many audio systems for our client’s business spaces. Audio is a passion of mine and here at our offices we heavily use audio in our workplace and within my own office.
In this blog post I wanted to let you know some of my passions and what we have done here at workflow to make our environment better for our employees.
The Music License
Previously, businesses and organisations that played music in the workplace had to obtain separate music licences from PPL and PRS for Music. However, they have now come together to form PPL PRS Ltd and launch TheMusicLicence.
www.pplprs.co.uk
PPL then distributes these licence fees for the use of recorded music on behalf of record companies and performers, while PRS for Music distributes licence fees for the use of musical compositions and lyrics on behalf of songwriters, composers and publishers. As the whole process is now under one roof things are now easier and less confusing for UK businesses.
Here at workflow we advise all of our clients who play any type of copyrighted music either in the workplace or via their telephone system to ensure they are correctly licensed.
Our Music
Throughout our office we have a Zoned central music system, this consists of the following Equipment.
Our Sonos Connect streams music from the internet and is controlled in our office via iPad and a PC app. The Sonos connect links in to a central 100Volt amplifier that distributes the music to the following 7 Speaker Zones; Sales Office, MD Office, Sale Directors Office, Administration Offices, Finance Offices, Warehouse
Reception & Engineering Areas.
Each Zone of music has an independent wall mounted volume control, so the music can be turned off or regulated to the correct volume.
In almost all of the areas we have Bose Ceiling speakers installed. Positioning and the quantity of speakers is important. The aim is to achieve a good volume of background music that can be easily heard by members of staff but not heard by our clients over the telephone.
My Office
In my office I have a Bowers and Wilkins Zepplin speaker linked to my computer. This provides a great quality of music. I generally have streamed radio playing from my PC but also listen to music via Apple music and Amazon music. The speaker also provides great audio for my software based video conferencing apps.
What I Listen To
I am still a great fan of Vinyl, so a few months ago bought my old LP’s out of storage and set up a turntable in the office, I have paired it with a Denon PMA-355 Amp and pair of floor standing Jamo Cornet 175 speakers. It brings a massive smile to my face to power up the amp, set the volume to 11 and once everyone has left the office blast out some music from the 80’s. I have enjoyed adding to my collection and have found a great online website that has enabled me to catalogue my collection and purchase albums from online resellers. I also have found a great second hand record dealer at the Post office in the small village of Warminton near Peterborough. If you want to see my collection you can take a look on www.discogs.com/user/rjest/collection it is pretty varied!
Music really does brighten up my life and helps to create a great working environment here at Workflow. To see how we can lighten the day of you or your employers, give us a call on 0345 270 5075, contact us or email sales@wflow.co.uk