Feed me AV Posted February 8, 2008 Share Posted February 8, 2008 Hi there, I'm very new here and would like a little help. We have a client wanting to record a telephone conversation which we thought we had sorted but now at the same time they want to put the convo over a PA to about 30-40 people. We were going to use the Polycom soundstation and use the RCA out just to record as the first brief was just to do this but now they are wanting to have a room full of top brass too. Any ideas? I'm having a brain freeze moment. Cheers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fatfrog Posted February 8, 2008 Share Posted February 8, 2008 RCA Splitter - One tail to recording gear and one tail to a mono input channel on mixer. Or just connect it to mixer input and use the recording outputs on the mixer to record Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bruce Posted February 8, 2008 Share Posted February 8, 2008 The "proper" way to do this is to use a Telephone Balance Unit, or TBU. Hireable from the usual suspects - Sonifex is probably the most common brand. Coincidentally, I set up one of these yesterday! Basically, the TBU gives a balanced input and output to the phone line suitable for connecting to your desk. You need to arrange to send the output from the TBU to the PA, and to send a "cleanfeed" back to the TBU - ie an "everything except the incoming signal" mix - usually just your local mics. Usually done using a group or matrix out from the desk. You may get away with a "lash-up" solution using the soundstation, but you'll be a bit limited as to which people are able to participate in the conversation (as opposed to just listen). There are other nastier "lash-ups" which may work, but aren't really recommended. I once, in an emergency, got a simple "handsfree" kit for a mobile, cut off the earphone and mic, and soldered on 2 XLRs. It actually worked surprisingly well.... Edit: The splitter suggested above will probably only give you one side of the conversation! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Feed me AV Posted February 8, 2008 Author Share Posted February 8, 2008 A TBU sounds like a plan, just need to find a company that hires them out around Yorkshire. I would sooner do it this way that lash it together. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mac.calder Posted February 8, 2008 Share Posted February 8, 2008 A TBU sounds like a plan, just need to find a company that hires them out around Yorkshire. I would sooner do it this way that lash it together. They are also known as "Hybrids" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Feed me AV Posted February 8, 2008 Author Share Posted February 8, 2008 Yeah just seen this on the Sonifex site. Will do some ringing around now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bobbsy Posted February 8, 2008 Share Posted February 8, 2008 Bruce has given you concise and accurate advice. Just a few of things to add: First, if you're having trouble finding a TBU, I suggest you try places that specialise in hire for broadcasters rather than theatre. This sort of thing is very common in radio and TV. Second, although Sonifex is probably the most common (and will be fine for you) a couple of other brands you may be offered would be Telos and Gentner. Both of these are fine as well. Third, if you haven't done this sort of thing before, I'd sit down and sketch out the signal routing for the job. Basically (as Bruce has said) you'll need one feed of the TBU output to the PA so the audience can hear the phone call, an output from your local mics (not including the incoming call) to feed back down the line via the TBU, and a mix of the two feeds for your recording. Fourth, depending on the unit you rent, you may need a basic phone to plug into the TBU to make or receive the call (depending on how you're doing it. Bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bruce Posted February 8, 2008 Share Posted February 8, 2008 Sonifex and Canford both have units available for hire. They're probably more common in a broadcast environment than in general PA hire - they are typically used for "phone-ins" on radio programmes. I have 4 of them on my desk at the moment...but I'm in Glasgow.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fatfrog Posted February 8, 2008 Share Posted February 8, 2008 Sorry, My Bad The RCA Splitter will only allow the audience to hear the conversation and not contribute! I misread your question - I thought it was just one way audio you wanted Alan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soundo26 Posted February 8, 2008 Share Posted February 8, 2008 we have a telephone hybrid for hire, swindon area, any help?? pm me if you want it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Salvador Avila Posted February 9, 2008 Share Posted February 9, 2008 Hey, If you are still looking for a hybrid the Chichester Festival Theatre has one that they hire. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mac Man Posted February 9, 2008 Share Posted February 9, 2008 Hi there, I'm very new here and would like a little help. We have a client wanting to record a telephone conversation which we thought we had sorted but now at the same time they want to put the convo over a PA to about 30-40 people. We were going to use the Polycom soundstation and use the RCA out just to record as the first brief was just to do this but now they are wanting to have a room full of top brass too. Any ideas? I'm having a brain freeze moment. Cheers. what you now need is a unit called a telephone balancing unit that allows you have a two way conversation over a telephone line. it becomes a little tricky when the you need to hear the person at the other end, when you drive the audio too much you get feed back/howl round. any audio hire company can help, any problems pm on the following address michael@thefamilyadams.wanadoo.co.uk regards Mac Man Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Feed me AV Posted February 11, 2008 Author Share Posted February 11, 2008 Well I'm based just out side of Leeds so if anyone has one for hire for this Friday can you PM me and forward me the cost. Cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Feed me AV Posted February 12, 2008 Author Share Posted February 12, 2008 Managed to get one from Canford now. Tried loads of companies in West Yorkshire and had no joy. Well that's not totally true, one large company in Bradford had one but wanted to charge £100 per day to hire it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jivemaster Posted February 12, 2008 Share Posted February 12, 2008 Please ensure that the caller is aware that the conversation is being "tapped" as this is legally challenged otherwise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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