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DMX Phone (Comms)


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I recently went on a backstage tour at the National Theatre to discover that at a lot of their work stations instead of using headset comms (or cans) they use a handheld phone (similar to a telephone receiver http://www.tigerstores.co.uk/tiger_office/media/telephone_receiver_for_mobile_1400322.html) that plugs into the systems via DMX, anyone know of anywhere I can purchase a couple from or how to adapt the one in the link I have sent.

Any input on how to solve this would be very helpful as I would prefer to use these in production at Christmas than comms.

Thanks

Christian :)

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I recently went on a backstage tour at the National Theatre to discover that at a lot of their work stations instead of using headset comms (or cans) they use a handheld phone (similar to a telephone receiver http://www.tigerstor...le_1400322.html) that plugs into the systems via DMX, anyone know of anywhere I can purchase a couple from or how to adapt the one in the link I have sent.

Any input on how to solve this would be very helpful as I would prefer to use these in production at Christmas than comms.

Thanks

Christian :)

 

As much as I re-read this and think about it, I'm really struggling to work out how a phone could work over DMX....RS485 maybe, but DMX?!

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I'm also a little confused as to why you'd be happier using a telephone handset (which by definition requires you to tie up one hand permanently) instead of an industry standard method of using a headset... Is there some particular reason why you need a handset or is this a peculiar personal preference?

 

As for 'connect by DMX' I too am assuming you mean it has an XLR connector on the cord and plugs therefore directly into the standard comms ring...

If so, might I suggest you ask your lecturers for a bit of background on basic connectors used in theatre. :D

 

 

 

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We have a comms wall station with a telephone handset instead of the headset. It's in my office. I find it pretty useful to be able to "cut in" during shows that someone else is running.

 

http://www.clearcom.com/product/accessories/intercom-handsets/hs-6

 

Apparently some audio folks prefer this style comms as they'r not going to wear a headset anyway.

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It's very common with musicals for the MD / conductor to have a telephone style handset rather than comms headset. Generally for them, it's just a pick it up, "yes we're ready" and put it down again so no need for anything that has to attach to the head.
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Before the term "party line intercom" was thought of, and before ClearCom and Technical Projects started knocking out their little boxes, there were still comms using headsets betwixt members of the techncial crew.

 

Time was when one could get phones that had a socket on the side for a headset, the same headset that telephone exchange operators used, and a bunch of such phones were wired together from a power supply, and that was comms.

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Before the term "party line intercom" was thought of, and before ClearCom and Technical Projects started knocking out their little boxes, there were still comms using headsets betwixt members of the techncial crew.

 

Time was when one could get phones that had a socket on the side for a headset, the same headset that telephone exchange operators used, and a bunch of such phones were wired together from a power supply, and that was comms.

 

My father has a 9-channel dimmer and lighting desk which he built (based on an analogue Strand dimmer) and it has this very system built into it...

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I have used the phone handsets inside booths where you have glass between you and the audience... you can have comms on a loudspeaker and a handset next to you on the occasion you want to say something back. It's much nicer than wearing a headset all night.
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Check what roles your intended users have for comms. If you have people on cans they can wear for the whole show and have both hands free for work, people who will simply need to coordinate the show start can have hand held comms but after a few minutes it's hard to hold a phone to your ear.
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  • 4 weeks later...
I looked at these a while ago, but found everything other than a set of 2-way radios to be really expensive. Before my last amateur theater production that there must be some cheap/free software that could run on some laptops strategically placed (backstage, FOH, sound, Lights) that had cue lights and an offline instant messenger, alas I couldn't find any! I did however write some. All it needs is a network connection between the laptops/PCs and a my small program and they can all communicate. I was thinking about integrating some audio into it too, but haven't got there yet, it's on my list. If anyone wants a copy, PM me and I'll send it over.
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