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Sound Reinforcement - Forums for Live Sound Professionals - Your Displayed Name Must Be Your Real Full Name To Post In The Live Sound Forums => Wireless and Communications => Topic started by: Mac Kerr on February 11, 2016, 12:35:45 PM
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Here is a shot of Jason Glass at the RF station, with the shelf unit with 32 RAD RF comm packs from the 6 base stations. In front of Jason are the shelves with the 48? RF mic packs. The 20 odd IEM systems are down by monitor world. I also have a station up in the control room where we program the Adam system.
Mac
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Here is a view of the CR. I expect I'll spend more time down on the stage, but I've spent the past couple of days up here.
Mac
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Here is a shot of Jason Glass at the RF station, with the shelf unit with 32 RAD RF comm packs from the 6 base stations. In front of Jason are the shelves with the 48? RF mic packs. The 20 odd IEM systems are down by monitor world. I also have a station up in the control room where we program the Adam system.
One of the things I like about jobs like this is you're always working a little beyond your experience. You learn new thing really fast when you are under that kind of pressure. Today my new knowledge is about logic programming in RTS AZ Edit, something I had not had to do before. The descriptions, and the manual are not very clear, but with a little experimenting in which logic statement really equates to which action and you can figure it out. I hope I don't have to wait too long to use the info again, so I don't forget it.
Mac
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Here is a view of the CR. I expect I'll spend more time down on the stage, but I've spent the past couple of days up here.
Looks like an interesting show. Is this a permanent studio facility or a truck?
Today my new knowledge is about logic programming in RTS AZ Edit, something I had not had to do before.
What function were you able to implement with the logic programming?
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Looks like an interesting show. Is this a permanent studio facility or a truck?
What function were you able to implement with the logic programming?
The control room is permanent, the stage is bare till we loaded in our show. Stage 1 at NBC in Burbank. The function was turning on and off the TD's listen key from the director depending on whether his headset was plugged in or not (or the hdst/spkr switch was thrown). This was to avoid feedback from the nearby station when he is listening to the speaker rather than hs.
Mac
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The control room is permanent, the stage is bare till we loaded in our show. Stage 1 at NBC in Burbank. The function was turning on and off the TD's listen key from the director depending on whether his headset was plugged in or not (or the hdst/spkr switch was thrown). This was to avoid feedback from the nearby station when he is listening to the speaker rather than hs.
Mac
Can you tell us what (show or event) you are up to? Or not until it is all over?
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Can you tell us what (show or event) you are up to? Or not until it is all over?
The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. This coming Mon-Fri from LA.
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32 RAD RF comm packs from the 6 base stations.
How are you finding the RAD system, compared to the other usual full duplex RF comm solutions?
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How are you finding the RAD system, compared to the other usual full duplex RF comm solutions?
It seems pretty good. The 6 systems we have all have the latest firmware (maybe hardware) that fixes some audio level issues. The dead battery indicator on the base station is great, and the base station linking, so you can have 2 identical bases on one set frequencies is also great. Range has been fine, although Jason has setup a comprehensive antenna system with multiple zones. The software adjustments are easy, while I typed this I just stopped for a moment to change the mic gain on one of the camera packs.
As far as I can tell the audio quality is as good as a BTR, and better than most other RF PL systems, and the range is at least as good.
At the moment the packs do not supply bias voltage for electret mics so we built battery supplies that also do the 5 pin to 4 pin change for the show's custom in ear/lapel mic headsets, but my understanding is that this will be part of a future revision.
Mac
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the base station linking, so you can have 2 identical bases on one set frequencies is also great. Range has been fine, although Jason has setup a comprehensive antenna system with multiple zones. The software adjustments are easy, while I typed this I just stopped for a moment to change the mic gain on one of the camera packs.
So the base station linking is basically the same as disabling the transmits on a second BTR unit, but the return audio path for the second set of packs is passed back through to the audio I/O on the first unit?
Can the beltpack programming from software done over the air while the packs are deployed? That was a feature I liked about freespeak2.
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So the base station linking is basically the same as disabling the transmits on a second BTR unit, but the return audio path for the second set of packs is passed back through to the audio I/O on the first unit?
Can the beltpack programming from software done over the air while the packs are deployed? That was a feature I liked about freespeak2.
Hi Neil,
Unfortunately, the belt packs won't sync over the air. The most convenient way to program them is via USB connection to your computer and running the RAD setup software. Freespeak2 has an impressive edge when it comes to operator convenience. RADcom gets the win when it comes to range and graceful degradation of performance at the edge of range.
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At the moment the packs do not supply bias voltage for electret mics so we built battery supplies that also do the 5 pin to 4 pin change for the show's custom in ear/lapel mic headsets, but my understanding is that this will be part of a future revision.
RAD will, in about six months or so, ship a new beltpack with auto-switching bias voltage. The circuit can detect a dynamic or electret mic element either upon power-up or while on, should the headset type be switched while the pack is on line.
A few words about base linking . . .
There is a stacked pair of RJ45's, "IN" & "OUT" for linking. You must use a shielded twisted pair (STP) CAT5/6/7 jumper, no more than 1' long (at this time). As the RF sections are software defined radios, there is a clock reference in each base that the packs also use, over the air. In order for base linking to occur, one base must become the master clock for all linked bases. The base with a jumper connected to the link output, but not the link input, becomes the master clock; any base with a jumper connected to the link input gets its clock reference from the incoming jumper instead of internally.
The reason for the 1' jumper length limitation is to keep the clock jitter within an acceptable spec and thus all the SDR's in sync.
Now, there are two configurations for base link:
1) Master/slave. As the name implies, the first base is the master which uses its two transmitters, and is the master clock, with up to five slaves linked. The two hardwire com channels (either 2 or 4 wire) are connected to the master. All com and wireless talk around audio is carried through the STP CAT5/6/7 jumpers. AUX I/O and SA audio connections are made to the individual base(s). Transmitters are disabled on any base set to "slave mode". This effectively provides for a 36 full duplex pack system.
2) Master/master. Same as above, but all bases remain set to "master" mode. This permits the packs to listen to two different bases and still provides the flexibility of individual base I/O and routing.
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How are you finding the RAD system, compared to the other usual full duplex RF comm solutions?
Yesterday was our first show from LA, and it went well. I'm not going to run out and buy the 2 Chains/Little Wayne album, but there were no technical issues and everyone seemed happy. The batteries in the RAD comm system just made it through the day (8am-6pm), several were showing red lights on battery with an hour to go in the show. Our experience in testing and rehearsals was that we get an hour or two of useful life after the red light comes on, but when the light comes on I go looking for the pack to do a battery change if possible. The stage managers and A2s get a battery change right before we start taping to make sure they are good for the show since I can't get to them for a change.
Today we're in at 8am to set the stage for tonight's musical guest, and to soundcheck them before we start rehearsing the rest of the show at 10am.
Another day in paradise.
Mac
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Today we're in at 8am to set the stage for tonight's musical guest, and to soundcheck them before we start rehearsing the rest of the show at 10am.
Last night with Pitbull went great, today we're in at 7:30am to set for tonight's musical guest. So far they haven't shown for their 9:30am soundcheck which runs to 10:30 (it's 9:45 now). It's the only soundcheck on the schedule, I hope he's OK with what he gets. This afternoon we move to another studio to shoot a special segment with Jimmy and some big special effects, should be cool. All wired comms and wired mics (Jimmy will wear an RF lav) because of expected electrical interference. Four channels of comm will fiber back to the control room to interface with existing comm system.
Mac
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Last night with Pitbull went great, today we're in at 7:30am to set for tonight's musical guest. So far they haven't shown for their 9:30am soundcheck which runs to 10:30 (it's 9:45 now). It's the only soundcheck on the schedule, I hope he's OK with what he gets. This afternoon we move to another studio to shoot a special segment with Jimmy and some big special effects, should be cool. All wired comms and wired mics (Jimmy will wear an RF lav) because of expected electrical interference. Four channels of comm will fiber back to the control room to interface with existing comm system.
Yesterday was a madhouse. It was a rare rainy day in LA, and one of the guests just didn't show up. Fortunately Jay Leno was in the house and he filled in. The musical artist who didn't come to soundcheck could have used the rehearsal, and just before the post show taping of the big special effects scene it got cut for safety reasons. Woo Hoo!
Today we have a legendary jam band with 2 drummers, and a fully mic'd drumline. I'm looking forward to tonight's Tonight Show.
Mac
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What I wouldn't give to just sit in a corner and watch you work Mac. In my world you qualify as a "blue sky guy". Top of the ladder, king of the heap. You, Henry, Jason! I'm not worthy, and thank for the pics. Can you get any of the stage?? I really would like to see the backline.
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What I wouldn't give to just sit in a corner and watch you work Mac. In my world you qualify as a "blue sky guy". Top of the ladder, king of the heap. You, Henry, Jason! I'm not worthy, and thank for the pics. Can you get any of the stage?? I really would like to see the backline.
Posting pictures of the stage or set is not allowed. The band soundcheck/rehearsal went great this morning. How about a band that shows up on time, is ready to soundcheck on time and stops on time? And they play real instruments.
Tomorrow may not go the same, they added a female singer known for her Miseducation, and for her loose interpretation of "on time".
Mac
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Posting pictures of the stage or set is not allowed. The band soundcheck/rehearsal went great this morning. How about a band that shows up on time, is ready to soundcheck on time and stops on time? And they play real instruments.
Tomorrow may not go the same, they added a female singer known for her Miseducation, and for her loose interpretation of "on time".
Mac
Can't rave enough about the band. They kicked some serious butt at sound check.
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and thank for the pics. Can you get any of the stage?? I really would like to see the backline.
The guest backline is different every day since it's spec'd by the guest artist, usually it comes from SIR, today it came off the Dead & Co truck. The Roots have Quest's kit (nice paint on this one), congas, bongos, a Handsonic, and a couple of perc triggers. There are 2 key players each with 2 keys, a Triton and a Motif, and then a Fantom and a Motif, Bass DI & mic, Guitar mic, and a bunch of vocals and horn mics including an RF mic down in the bell of the Sousaphone. The PA is a distributed system with a first line of 5 arrays of 3 Meyer JM1Ps, and then 4 or 5 rows of 5 UPQs, plus subs.
Mac
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I really just want to know if you guys have your tight pants on?
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I really just want to know if you guys have your tight pants on?
Mac and I have the tightest pants in all the land.
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Jason has setup a comprehensive antenna system with multiple zones.
Hi Jason,
I would be interested to hear more about the antenna system you have deployed. How many zones are you covering, and are there multiple transmit zones as well as receive?
Neil
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Tomorrow may not go the same, they added a female singer known for her Miseducation, and for her loose interpretation of "on time".
Friday's show went smoothly despite concern over the performance by Lauren Hill. After not showing up for her performance with The Weeknd at the Grammys after having done the soundcheck, The Weeknd didn't have to go solo, she showed up for both and received plenty of applause. Demi Lovato nailed the musical impressions, and the Bryan Cranston interview in a bathtub was funny.
It's alway fun to work on these Tonight Show remotes, the crew is great and everyone gets along and goes out to dinner together. The atmosphere in the work environment can go a long way to getting you through a lot of hard work.
The R.A.D. RF comm system worked flawlessly, and the package VER put together with the 8 rack mount battery chargers in the same rack made keeping batteries fresh pretty easy. Even if I was away from my desk, anyone who noticed their battery dying could come over and pop in a new battery and put the dead one in the charger. The notification on the base of individual batteries going dead was very useful.
Despite the fun in LA, it's good to be back home in NY. The weather's not so good, but sleeping in my own bed is.
Mac
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Thank you for the posts and keeping us updated. I liked reading about your time with the Tonight Show. My father was an Engineer at NBC-NYC and I spent a lot of time at work with him and I spent some time at the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson, when it used to be in NYC.
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Thank you for the posts and keeping us updated. I liked reading about your time with the Tonight Show. My father was an Engineer at NBC-NYC and I spent a lot of time at work with him and I spent some time at the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson, when it used to be in NYC.
I too enjoy living vicariously through your experiences.
The level of detail you provide also provides take away items for folks at all levels on how to step up our game.
Thanks for taking the time to do this. If your travels ever take you to Cleveland would enjoy meeting for a drink or a cup of coffee.
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Friday's show went smoothly despite concern over the performance by Lauren Hill. After not showing up for her performance with The Weeknd at the Grammys after having done the soundcheck, The Weeknd didn't have to go solo, she showed up for both and received plenty of applause. Demi Lovato nailed the musical impressions, and the Bryan Cranston interview in a bathtub was funny.
It's alway fun to work on these Tonight Show remotes, the crew is great and everyone gets along and goes out to dinner together. The atmosphere in the work environment can go a long way to getting you through a lot of hard work.
The R.A.D. RF comm system worked flawlessly, and the package VER put together with the 8 rack mount battery chargers in the same rack made keeping batteries fresh pretty easy. Even if I was away from my desk, anyone who noticed their battery dying could come over and pop in a new battery and put the dead one in the charger. The notification on the base of individual batteries going dead was very useful.
Despite the fun in LA, it's good to be back home in NY. The weather's not so good, but sleeping in my own bed is.
Mac
Mac nailed it on all counts. When you get that magical combination of people who are all professionally top-notch in ability and attitude, and who you genuinely enjoy being around, 21 days of non-stop work can actually be a pleasant experience. However, there are few things as sweet as coming home. FWIW, the only way I'm leaving the house today is if it burns down around me, and the chances of me taking off these pajamas and getting dressed are slim to none.
Here are parting shots of the best hangout in the entire biz ;) , with the best workmate that one could ask for: