Better Sound, Stronger Community – Helping the Grand Rapids Sewing Guild Connect
- Jeff Hammond
- Jul 15
- 3 min read
When the Grand Rapids Sewing Guild reached out, their president shared a challenge that’s all too familiar for organizations: “We’ve been trying to stream our monthly meetings through Zoom for members who can’t attend in person, but the sound has been a real problem.”
They were doing their best with what they had—an older PA system and the laptop’s built-in microphone—but it just wasn’t working. Remote members were missing out, and the meetings didn’t feel as connected as they wanted. And with an steady increase of member joinging remotely, that wasn't ok. Also, as a nonprofit, budget was a concern—but so was making sure everyone felt included.
The Problem
The guild was using a legacy RadioShack PA system with a microphone, paired with a laptop mic to feed audio into Zoom. Unfortunately, the setup was unreliable. The laptop mic picked up distant voices and background noise, and the old PA system was actually emitting RFI (radio frequency interference) into the system—even when not actively in use.
We initially tried to work with the old system to help preserve their budget, but quickly ran into compatibility issues. Despite our best efforts, it just wouldn’t play nicely with newer components. That’s a situation we run into a lot—sometimes the cost of keeping old gear just isn't worth the headaches it causes.
The Solution
After discussing their needs, and gathering some photos of the existing equipment, we built a budget-conscious and portable system that significantly improved their hybrid meeting experience:
PTU-7000 Microphone Receiver
A clean, reliable microphone setup replaced the laptop mic entirely—no more muffled or distant audio. The old microphone had been operating on a frequency band no longer available for wireless use, and it was constantly battling interference from stronger nearby signals.
Focusrite Vocaster One Interface + Software
The interface handled all the audio going into Zoom and out to the classroom, using built-in EQ and compression to keep voices clear and natural. Its Mix-Minus feature ensured that remote participants could hear everything happening in the room—without their own voices being fed back to them, eliminating echo and feedback. We configured everything through the Vocaster software so the system is ready to go without the need for future adjustments.
Behringer Monitor Speaker
A compact powered speaker that filled the room with clear sound from the presenter as well as remote Zoom participants. We chose a small form factor for portability, so the guild could easily move the system around or store it between meetings. Its onboard EQ also helped us enhance vocal clarity and reduce potential feedback.
Simple Laptop Integration
With the laptop connected to the interface, Zoom calls now stream crisp, balanced audio from the room—and sound great on both sides.
Training & Support
We made sure everything was easy to operate by walking them through setup and use. Even with limited tech experience, they were up and running quickly and confidently.
The Impact
The result? A huge improvement in clarity, connection, and ease of use. Remote members can finally hear everything without straining, and those attending in person feel more connected to those joining online.
The system’s portability and simplicity have made it a great fit for their volunteer-led group—and it’s helping them continue to grow their membership by making meetings more accessible to current and prospective members alike.
The guild also appreciated that the system is durable, comfortable ( the headset mic ), and designed for volunteer-friendly operation.
While we initially hoped to salvage their original PA system, introducing new components ultimately gave them a far more reliable, professional setup—one that can grow with their needs over time.
Why It Matters
This story highlights something many community groups face: trying to do more with less. We get it. That’s why we always start by listening and looking for ways to preserve what works, while introducing just enough new gear to make everything run smoothly.
For churches, nonprofits, or any group running hybrid meetings, clear sound makes all the difference. People can sit through a video with a blurry image—but if the audio is poor, they’ll tune out fast. Great audio doesn’t just make things sound better—it removes distractions, strengthens connection, and ensures everyone feels like they’re part of the conversation.
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