Wireless Audio Transmission

[rabywebb]

For an event I've been roped into venue teching at, I've been asked by a visiting DJ if we could get a wireless audio transmitter/reciever setup to allow him to move about whilst DJing.

 

To fill in the background, he's planning on using a Pacemaker which gives a line level signal through a 3.5mm jack. The transmitter wants to be portable/pocket sized so he can walk about (ruling out all IEM transmitters I've seen) but have both a decent audio quality/frequency range (which to my mind ruled out microphone/guitar-type transmitters) and also a low latency (so that he can still beatmatch easily).

 

The best solution I've found so far is the Transmita II made by Oono here and here, but the company are very vague about latency, suggesting that it's not good.

 

Does anyone know of a product that's better suited?

 

Whilst I understand all the issues that come with wireless, I'd like to try and accommodate that DJ's requests if at all possible.

[PoppaDom]

I would suggest using something like one of the Sennheiser blocks for this application OR a Sennheiser 500 series beltpack transmitter that also accepts a line input level on the ring of the 3.5mm jack input. Frequency response on both products should not be an issue (I have used them to transmit full range audio around large site specific theatre shows before).

The block uses pin1 to make an ariel connection so you should ensure that the XLR connection is connected to a screen to give you your ariel.

 

 

If it is absolutely essential for stereo then utilize 2 transmitters (Obviously on different frequencies)

 

 

Poppadom

[Bobbsy]

I'd agree with PoppaDom that the way to go would be to rent a proper radio mic transmitter/receiver combo (or two for stereo) rather than messing about with any domestic-level toys. Just make sure that the unit(s) you rent can accept a line level source and that you have any necessary adaptor cables. As PoppaDom says, a number of available models can accept line level...he mentions a couple from the Sennheiser range but both Sony and Audio Ltd. also have transmit packs that can work with line level inputs.

 

On any professional unit the frequency response will be very good and, being analogue devices, latency will be nil. The receivers will be diversity units which should help with reception and they'll be UHF (probably in the 850-863 MHz range) which is far less susceptible to blockage by bodies than anything up at 2.4 gigahertz.

 

Bob

[paulears]

The 2.4GHz units seem to make no claim to be digital either, and I'd take their claims as to range to be questionable. Any aerial system in an inside pocket will have much of it's output absorbed by the body. You could give the DJ some kind of headwear with the aerial remoted to it. Probably not a yellow hardhat with a vertical aerial in the middle - but pretty important to get it high and clear. You may be able to use a beam on the reeiver and have somebody point it, followspot like, at the moving DJ.

 

Why not just give him a handheld/headworn system and play in the music from the stage - he could mime his DJ fingering - nobody would know?

[fogg]

A while ago I bought one of these for use with my bass guitar, never had a problem with it! Maybe a couple of these for a stereo signal would work? They have a pretty good range, havent tried anything crazy with it but use it alot at gigs where I have to mix from stage and play bass at the same time. It has always allowed me to wonder around the dance floor to check the mix and has never missed a beat. For the price I don' think you can go wrong. It has a line or mic level switch on the belt pack so should work fine with any line level signal.

 

Fogg