Handheld transmitters - cheek to cheek

[Stuart91]

I've had some discussions recently about an upcoming job. ("Upcoming" meaning Christmas time, but at least it's something!)

 

The commentator wants to be able to talk to two different "zones" of speakers, since there are floats moving along a street so different things happening in each place at the same time. Nonetheless, some parts of the commentary (such as safety announcements etc.) need to be heard by both.

 

The change between them all is going to be quick-fire, almost literally sentence by sentence. It seems like a bit of a chore for an operator having to stand beside him, routing things appropriately for where he wants to be heard.

 

What's been suggested is that he simply has two handheld mics, one routed to each zone, and he juggles the mutes accordingly. This will be quicker than having another human involved in the process, and seems like less work all round.

 

My only concern is the RF aspect. We'll have two transmitters directly alongside one another. I'll make a point of trying the arrangement next time I have some systems out but my hunch is that it's less than optimal. It's not a terribly hostile RF environment but I've had a few issues in previous years there, probably related to noise floor and distance once crowds start to gather.

 

Any obvious pitfalls with this approach? Or can anyone think of a better way of achieving the same end result?

[david.elsbury]

You could give him a headset; two body pack transmitters and two inline mute switches? (Shure example- https://www.shure.com/en-US/products/accessories/wa360 )

 

Then you can seperate the Tx packs?

[sunray]

Technically there will be no issues, it's something we do on a regular basis.However holding a mic in each hand and speaking into each at the right time is likely to be a different matter, especially if he is on a moving float. I think 2 HH mics is likely to be easier to administer than 2 body packs as it's easy to move a mic away for quick fire operation.

I've had some discussions recently about an upcoming job. ("Upcoming" meaning Christmas time, but at least it's something!)

 

The commentator wants to be able to talk to two different "zones" of speakers, since there are floats moving along a street so different things happening in each place at the same time. Nonetheless, some parts of the commentary (such as safety announcements etc.) need to be heard by both.

 

The change between them all is going to be quick-fire, almost literally sentence by sentence. It seems like a bit of a chore for an operator having to stand beside him, routing things appropriately for where he wants to be heard.

 

What's been suggested is that he simply has two handheld mics, one routed to each zone, and he juggles the mutes accordingly. This will be quicker than having another human involved in the process, and seems like less work all round.

 

My only concern is the RF aspect. We'll have two transmitters directly alongside one another. I'll make a point of trying the arrangement next time I have some systems out but my hunch is that it's less than optimal. It's not a terribly hostile RF environment but I've had a few issues in previous years there, probably related to noise floor and distance once crowds start to gather.

 

Any obvious pitfalls with this approach? Or can anyone think of a better way of achieving the same end result?

[Stuart91]

The commentator isn't on a float (thankfully), it's the progression of the parade that means we need different things said in different places.

 

I know he wears a headset for some other things but handhelds are what's been specifically requested for this. Plus there's less chance of his backchat getting heard by the crowd!

 

If the RF side is fine (no horrible by-products of having the two transmitters so close together) then I think we're onto a winner.

[TAG1960]

The commentator isn't on a float (thankfully), it's the progression of the parade that means we need different things said in different places.

 

I know he wears a headset for some other things but handhelds are what's been specifically requested for this. Plus there's less chance of his backchat getting heard by the crowd!

 

If the RF side is fine (no horrible by-products of having the two transmitters so close together) then I think we're onto a winner.

Personally I would avoid RF and look at a wired solution, especially if the comentator is speaking from one location and not moving about!

[Stuart91]

Personally I would avoid RF and look at a wired solution, especially if the comentator is speaking from one location and not moving about!

 

That's the approach I would choose if I could, but alas...

 

He's still roaming around on a patch of pavement amongst lots of other people so wired won't work, unfortunately.

[J Pearce]

Big colourful foam windshields may be a useful accessory to aid identification of the correct mic. A belt/pouch to put TXs in when not in the hand might also be sensible (yellow goes left, red goes right) - with two mics in his hands he's a bit stuck for doing anything else. Saves the mics being dropped, put on a surface they'll roll off.

 

Do your handheld TXs just mute audio or RF too? If they're muting RF you lose the capture effect and risk breathrough while the receiver is muted.

[Stuart91]

Good point about the RF mute - I'll make sure we use models that have a separate audio mute on them (most likely Senn G4)

 

Foam windscreens will be a must-have, for Covid as much as anything else. My disdain for the "clown nose" look is lessening over time...

[sunray]

Good point about the RF mute - I'll make sure we use models that have a separate audio mute on them (most likely Senn G4)

 

Foam windscreens will be a must-have, for Covid as much as anything else. My disdain for the "clown nose" look is lessening over time...

For outdoor work (>50% of mine) we always use pop shields and different colours so we can see which mic is in use, on a windy day we use 2 pop shields. Also handy for users too, we do several events where emargency services give demos so red = Fire, green = Ambulance, blue = Police. They love the dedication.

 

 

The commentator isn't on a float (thankfully), it's the progression of the parade that means we need different things said in different places.

 

I know he wears a headset for some other things but handhelds are what's been specifically requested for this. Plus there's less chance of his backchat getting heard by the crowd!

 

If the RF side is fine (no horrible by-products of having the two transmitters so close together) then I think we're onto a winner.

I often put 2 HH mics on a stand for important events so I have back up in case of battery failure/interference etc. Never been an issue, as is several singers in close proximity, or user with HH, belt pack and IEM [but IEM needs careful frequency selection].

 

[Stuart91]

red = Fire, green = Ambulance, blue = Police. They love the dedication.

 

Similarly, football fans are delighted when they are given the "right" colour - definitely worth keeping in mind for supporters' functions.