The Technograph

We take sound very seriously. If you don't agree, think about all of the complicated gadgets with which students surround themselves in order to improve the sounds, particularly the music, in their daily lives. People have made music more portable while focusing on the challenge of making the song sound as if the listener was there during recording. Despite all of this, music and sound at events around the University can sometimes be lacking. That is precisely the thought Josh Sutter, an electrical engineering student at the University, had when he created Audio Equipment Illinois, an audio equipment rental and sales company designed specifically for student groups.

Josh first noticed that, while personal sound equipment continued to be important to students, the sound at the parties around campus was severely lacking. “I freely admit that my original intention was simply to improve the music at parties on campus. However, it has grown into a much needed service which can be provided to student organizations and projects as well as fraternities.” Josh points out that the main issues with party music seem to center around quality and balance. People sometimes just can’t understand any of the lyrics because the quality is too low for the sound system. Other times, people can't hear anything except bass and only might be able to figure out which song is playing. Josh decided that he could fix these problems.

Using this as his inspiration, Josh began collecting pieces of sound equipment while trying to let people know what he could do. At first, he simply posted a sign at his own fraternity's parties promoting the fact that he provided the sound. When that didn't work, he realized it was time to take the next step: creating a Web site. The Web has infinite potential for a student that wants to start a business. Knowing this, Josh started his own site which shows great pictures of his equipment along with the lists of very reasonable prices. It also shows has a list of his impressive stock of audio equipment:

Four amplifiers totaling 9,500 Watts

28 speakers: most sets consist of three individual speakers (a tweeter, midrange, and woofer)

Two dedicated subwoofers: one, a sealed 10" 300 Watt; the other, an 18" 1000 Watt with two three-inch ports. He built both of the subwoofers.

Four full-range speakers with 15" woofers at 600 Watts of power apiece

While Josh has received somewhat mixed opinions about the future of his business, he is confident that he will be able to provide high-quality sound for any event at the University.

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