Communication is central to a successful show. Communication systems make it much easier and may eliminate the need to yell, learn hand signals, or wear night vision goggles backstage. When thinking about updating, upgrading, or initially investing in a communication system, it’s important to understand the varying types of systems. A little research can help you decide which type of system will suit your needs best. StageSpot is all about making things easier, so here is some information about the different types of systems available.
Wired/Wireless Belt-pack Systems
The lowest cost solution to a full communication system would be the wired system. In this case, you would need to run wires from each station where a belt pack is needed, back to a main power supply. This doesn’t mean you need wires strung all over your space, often times the wires can be run through walls or in tubing attached to the walls. It does however mean that each belt pack will need to be connected to the wall via a cable. This can greatly reduce a person’s ability to move about freely during a production.
The next extreme would be to go with a fully wireless system. In this case the base station and belt packs communicate via radio signals and do not require any cabling to communicate. This option greatly increases the mobility of the user, but it also greatly increases your cost. The only other downfall to this system is that you can occasionally experience interference with the signal from thick walls or heavy outside signal.
The most common system found in the performing arts is a combination of a wired and wireless headset based system. This type of system includes a base station and a combination of wired and wireless belt-packs with headsets. Often times you will find that there are several positions in your production that do not require the need to be mobile. These are great places to add wired positions leaving a few wireless packs available for those who do need to move about freely.
Radio Systems (Walkie-Talkies)
For ultimate portability and freedom, a radio setup is a fantastic option. That being said, we only suggest buying a set of family radios if you really have no other options due to budget. We have found that many times with family radios you end up picking up the local truck drivers passing through town, or the fast food drive through. Because our customers have begged us for a mobile solution with a long range and little to no interference, we have searched high and low to bring forth an affordable, durable, dependable option.
StageSpot carries the Titan Radio line, which provides mobility while keeping everyone in contact with each other. Radios are a half-duplex option. This means only one person can speak at a time. These are professional grade radios often used on construction sites and are therefore very durable. Beyond that, in the right conditions, we have tested them and been able to continue communicating up to one mile apart! With programmable options to customize the units to your needs these radios offer a great variety of options on a smaller budget.
So that no one gets overloaded in one posting, including us, we will continue this in Part Two, “Technical Definitions, What are they trying to tell me”? In the mean time we at StageSpot are here to help you sort through the communications lines and break through to clean clear listening.
