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IEM interference from phone?
Kevin Maxwell:
It is known that iPhones can cause interference in an audio system. It usually happens when a device is next to an unbalanced connection. The most common problem I have had to deal with is when someone wearing a wireless bodypack transmitter (with a lav of headset mic) and has an iPhone in their pocket. If you are mixing on a phone or tablet (in particular an iPhone) has anyone experienced this interference. I am thinking in particular of a singer that puts their mic on a stand so they can mix their IEM with 2 hands so their phone or tablet is very close to the mic. Or if the tablet is on a mic stand and they have the mic in one hand and the tablet being controlled with the other hand so they are also rather close to each other.
Has anyone experienced any interference problems with this type of setup?
For those that aren’t familiar with the iPhone issue it sounds like a water sprinkler the kind that moves from side to side and interrupts the water flow to distribute the water better. It has been explained to me that it is the iPhone handshake signal or even when it is in completely silent mode and the cell site is trying to reach the phone. I don’t know if this has been fixed on newer iPhones and I don’t know if it is a problem on Apple tablets with cell capability.
I ask because a church I am doing some work with may be having their singers using their own devices to mix their IEMs. And if it might be a problem I want to let them know about it so they can try to avoid having any issues.
Mac Kerr:
--- Quote from: Kevin Maxwell on September 06, 2021, 09:55:34 AM ---It is known that iPhones can cause interference in an audio system.
--- End quote ---
Someone who knows better may correct me, but my understanding is the issue is GSM phones, which come in all flavors. GSM is a 2G and 3G technology, so is becoming less prevalent as time moves on. We try to be careful about getting rid of phones at my day job, but it is hard to do with the players we deal with. It has still been ages since I have heard that warble.
Mac
John Sulek:
--- Quote from: Kevin Maxwell on September 06, 2021, 09:55:34 AM ---It is known that iPhones can cause interference in an audio system. It usually happens when a device is next to an unbalanced connection. The most common problem I have had to deal with is when someone wearing a wireless bodypack transmitter (with a lav of headset mic) and has an iPhone in their pocket. If you are mixing on a phone or tablet (in particular an iPhone) has anyone experienced this interference. I am thinking in particular of a singer that puts their mic on a stand so they can mix their IEM with 2 hands so their phone or tablet is very close to the mic. Or if the tablet is on a mic stand and they have the mic in one hand and the tablet being controlled with the other hand so they are also rather close to each other.
Has anyone experienced any interference problems with this type of setup?
For those that aren’t familiar with the iPhone issue it sounds like a water sprinkler the kind that moves from side to side and interrupts the water flow to distribute the water better. It has been explained to me that it is the iPhone handshake signal or even when it is in completely silent mode and the cell site is trying to reach the phone. I don’t know if this has been fixed on newer iPhones and I don’t know if it is a problem on Apple tablets with cell capability.
I ask because a church I am doing some work with may be having their singers using their own devices to mix their IEMs. And if it might be a problem I want to let them know about it so they can try to avoid having any issues.
--- End quote ---
I just had this happen at soundcheck with someone who left their phone in their pocket right beside the iem receiver. From what they described hearing when a call came in... the rf section got overloaded and the squelch circuit was rapidly engaging/disengaging in response to the noise bursts of the call signal.
Was a good reminder of why they put their phones on the drum riser during soundcheck.
If they were using them to adjust the mix, I would suggest turning the cellular off and just leaving the wifi on as a possible solution.
John Sulek:
--- Quote from: Mac Kerr on September 06, 2021, 11:43:07 AM ---Someone who knows better may correct me, but my understanding is the issue is GSM phones, which come in all flavors. GSM is a 2G and 3G technology, so is becoming less prevalent as time moves on. We try to be careful about getting rid of phones at my day job, but it is hard to do with the players we deal with. It has still been ages since I have heard that warble.
Mac
--- End quote ---
I don't claim to know better but that was also my experience with GSM phones. The UK ones were the worst for that warble coming through guitar pickups, wireless rigs, the stereo in the bus etc.
Tim Weaver:
This is not much of an issue anymore. It's the GSM signal that causes it, and that is pretty rare to get pinged by a GSM signal today.
My band (8-10 members) all use their phones to run Yamaha Monitor mix. I never have anyone complain and it's been like this for about 3 years.
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