Mark_UniLeeds Posted November 17, 2009 Share Posted November 17, 2009 We run a 1200 capacity live music and club venue with a distance of about 35m from FOH position to Monitorland and it's about time we invested in some form of comms for the house. It has been fun slowly learning a specific form of semaphore, we have all become great at smoke signals and morse code but it's simply too much hassle. What I need is a base station with two satellites, headsets and strobing beacons for a fairly reasonable price. It also needs to run on XLR so I can utilise the existing returns on the multicore. so far I have seen a couple of Caford Audio and I believe Tecpro but I wanted to talk to the people who already use them and see if there are any problems or things to look out for. All input gladly received Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pattern123 Posted November 17, 2009 Share Posted November 17, 2009 Tecpro is made by Canford Audio, it's fine and is the 'industry standard' in the UK, but it is a bit pricey. Beyerdynamic distribute a system called ASL which is cheaper and IMHO, better. The Tecpro headsets always generate problems at the swivel part on the side with the microphone, and make a lot of repair work. Not so far had any problems with the ASL basic level kit, both systems are compatible. There's also a broadcast standard made by Metro Audio - very solid kit, though I've not actually seen it for sale anywhere recently and I'd imagine it would be more expensive than the Tecpro. Main differences in manufacture: ASL basic: ABS Plastic cased beltpack with plastic belt clip (They do a metal cased version, but more money)Tecpro: Extruded Aluminium cased beltpack with steel belt clipMetro: Solid steel cased beltpack with steel belt clip If you do buy the Canford system, don't buy a base-station unless you need one, you only need a basic PSU to drive a single system and beltpacks 'daisychain' from one-another in all three systems. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulears Posted November 17, 2009 Share Posted November 17, 2009 Having used all sorts of comms, I do like Tecpro - Canford really got it right, and there are plenty of useful accessories. The base station is VERY expensive, and most people just use the 3 output small PSU which offers 3 circuits that can be linked, or run separately. I don't like the Canford headsets though, and have standardised my systems with Beyer DT108/9s instead. That said, the Canford ones are perfectly reliable, and of ok quality - I just don't find them that comfy. The xenon beacons are pretty handy, but again, are pricey - but you do get a really reliable, quality, expandable system. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ojc123 Posted November 17, 2009 Share Posted November 17, 2009 We use an ASL system and it's been reliable and fairly robust over the last five years . We also use them by running them through the multicore. We got it from AC Lighting (ASL Prices) in Leeds and found them very helpful (other suppliers are available). We just have a PSU (ASBS181) and three beltpacks (ASBS15) with the basic headsets (ASHS1/D) but you may want the rugged ones. A couple of the leads have pulled out of the headsets but it can be sorted with a soldering iron. The belt packs have stood up to numerous drops, kicks across the floor, and being crushed by music stand trolleys. Not bad in a school environment where destruction is the usual tale. I'm not sure what you mean by a "strobing beacon" but there is a flashing call button which makes a noise if the button's held in for a while. Our only issue is the lighting guy who insists on "singing" along with songs with the talk button on. He simply forgets and it drives the ASM mad. Can't really fault the comms though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbuckley Posted November 18, 2009 Share Posted November 18, 2009 I'm not sure what you mean by a "strobing beacon" but there is a flashing call button which makes a noise if the button's held in for a while. A strobe like is used on burgler alarm bell boxes... http://beltpack.com/a_Blazon4.gif Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete McCrea Posted November 18, 2009 Share Posted November 18, 2009 Stonewood Audio are doing 50% off till the 24th of December.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ynot Posted November 18, 2009 Share Posted November 18, 2009 Earlier this year, I had a couple of compatible Atair beltpacks and headsets. The EM201 beltpacks are smaller than the tecpro black bodied ones, and lighter. the AM 100/2 headsets are identical and I understand come from the same factory. These were significantly cheaper than either Canford/tecpro/Stonewood at the time, and suspect they still are. And they also do the strobe packs. Ours have been in use since January and so far have performed fine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SPTTRIAL Posted November 18, 2009 Share Posted November 18, 2009 have a look on the used equipment list of dealers in the uk, maybe give a few a call as theres bound to be some old used stuff kicking about if you want to do it cheaply, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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