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Archive for the ‘audio visual’ Category

No Need To Go Shopping. It’s Already In Your Pocket

Wednesday, February 17th, 2010

I’m trying to learn to play the piano. It’s one of the most frustrating things I’ve ever done, but I’m sticking with it. I wouldn’t call it a hobby so much as an attempt to deny the aging process.

I practice at least a half hour every day, and the worst part of practicing, by far, is playing with a metronome. I’m ” tempo challenged” and this is no fun at all.

On Monday my metronome died (believe me, this blog is not a eulogy!) and i realized pretty quickly that i would never get ready for my lesson without it.

I was ready to head for the mall, when I suddenly remembered “I have one in my pocket”. A metronome? Not exactly. What I had was my Droid smart phone. A quick search among free apps, and within less than a minute I had a new time keeper. The cost? $0.00.

Anybody who is in the business of designing and manufacturing small hand held devices has a really tough new challenge. Are they going to be put out of business by cell phones. Development of phones that do lots of other things is accelerating quickly and all sorts of device makers are impacted.

Students no longer buy or wear watches. They use their phones?

Who needs a camera? Some phones have zoom lens and 6 megapixel resolution?

GPS? I wouldn’t want to invest in Garmin and Magellan stock.

Calculator or language translator? If you’ve got a smart phone, you’ve already got both.

This technology is even extending into areas with a very limited user base with applications like sound pressure level meters and digital remote controls for stage lighting systems.

I hate to admit it, but the monthly cost of my Verizon data plan is starting to seem like a bargain.

GoodBuyGuys.com is your online source for Permacel gaffers tape,Duracell Procell batteries, Nashua duct tape, Bay State wire ties, Hosa and Entertainment One extension cords and OnStage Stand mic stands. Got a favorite phone app? Share it with us.

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Since When Is Google An Entrepeneur?

Tuesday, January 26th, 2010

This blog has been following the “white space” debate (issues regarding reallocation of broadcast spectrum used for wireless mics) for some time. What appears as a “final decision” by the FCC regarding the date for ending use of the 700MHz band for these microphones has led to a whole set of new questions.

One of the justifications for kicking wireless mic users out of the neighborhood has been that opening up this part of the spectrum would lead to opportunities for entrepreneurs to develop new wireless technologies.

It’s fine to claim that you support entrepreneurs, but since the price bid for the 700 MHz spectrum was in excess of $19 billion dollars, we’re not talking about your garden variety start up.

Players like Google and Verizon were the real winners here and it’s unlikely that opportunities for real entrepreneurs are going to filter down from monsters like this.

The 700 MHz band may well see exciting next generation wireless services for both consumers and public agencies, but those developments won’t come from someone who simply has a good idea. They’ll need a bag of money too!

Posted in Other News, Pro Sound, audio visual, good business ideas, microphones & mic stands, wireless microphones | No Comments »

The Final Word-For Now

Thursday, January 21st, 2010

The FCC has issued yet another “final ruling” regarding reallocation of the 700 mHZ broadcast spectrum, that part of the spectrum used, until recently, for wireless microphones.

As reported in the New York Times (Jan. 16, 2010), the FCC is standing behind the 2008 auction of this spectrum for new users, hoping to promote the development of “a whole new generation of wireless services”.

This version of the ruling essentially changes nothing regarding the intention of the FCC to no longer allow wireless mic use in this part of the UHF spectrum. It makes the date of June 12, 2010 the final deadline for theatres, concert tours, churches and entertainment venues to give up use of any wireless equipment operating in this band.

Fortunately, by putting off the final implementation of this new ruling (yet again) the Federal Communications Commission has given the users of unlicensed wireless mics (almost all users) the better part of two years to make the transition.

Major manufacturers, including Shure, have extended their rebate offers one more time, so there are still incentives available for those how have put off making the frequency change.

The title of the FCC’s official pronouncement on this issue is titled,

OPERATION OF WIRELESS MICROPHONES IN THE 700 MHZ BAND
IS PROHIBITED AFTER JUNE 12, 2010

There is not really much need for interpretation to that sort of language.

If you are interested in the specifics of this ruling directly from the FCC, you can read it here.

If you’re not sure if your wireless mics are covered by this ruling, you can consult the FCC’s official list of offending manufacturers models here.

There is more information regarding this transition at our web site wirelessmic.net.

Posted in Pro Sound, audio visual, mic cables, microphones & mic stands | No Comments »

A Round Peg In A Square Hole

Tuesday, January 19th, 2010

Recent responses to an older blog posting about using XLR connectors on speaker cables caught me by surprise. It got me thinking about how ongoing evolution in this connector system has allowed it to stay relevant through generation after generation of audio development.

The XLR connector was first developed by James Cannon at ITT and was introduced to the audio market in 1958. Amazingly, through all the changes in connector standards and component wiring, the XLR is still the audio standard for microphone and patch cables.

One reason for its long life is that the basics of the design, much like good computer software design, have moved into the public domain. Anyone who has a better idea can bring their own version of the XLR connector to market.

A simple innovation developed by the Switchcraft company is an example of this design concept.

Cannon’s design for the XLR was for a round connector-a good idea since it fit well to a round cable and allowed the cable to be dragged along the floor without catching and tangling. Cannon’s concept called for both round body connectors on the cable and a round body “chassis mount” connector-the mating female connector found on the equipment or multicable box that the cable connector mated with.

A simple innovation by Switchcraft-changing the body shape of the panel mount connector from round to rectangular-meant that more connectors could be mounted side-by-side in a confined space since they could now fit edge to edge. You can see the value of that design change today by comparing a contemporary audio mixer to one built in the 1960’s or ’70’s.

Many minds contributing to the evolution of the XLR connector means that it will remain the audio industry standard for many years to come.

Posted in Pro Sound, Pro lighting, audio visual, good business ideas, mic cables, microphones & mic stands, speaker cables | No Comments »

This Thing Is Too Smart To Be Called A Phone

Thursday, January 7th, 2010

Last Saturday I attended a women’s basketball game at UNC Chapel Hill, my alma mater. A major multi-million dollar renovation of Carmichael Auditorium was being unveiled and I was anxious to see the upgrades to the building where I worked my first concert, 40 years ago.

Carmichael has always been an acoustical nightmare, and I was skeptical as to whether ceiling treatment and a new sound system might actually improve the building.

I was really impressed!

The building looks great, and I was able to understand every word the announcer said. Congratulations, UNC.

One of our former employees, Wes Hardison, is serving as the sound person for women’s basketball this season, and that’s where my phone story begins.

I have written before about the Motorola Droid, my new cell phone, and on Saturday I learned some great new tricks.

I was able to download a couple of applications (free, no less) for the phone while sitting in the stands watching the game and listening to the new sound system.

One was a SPL meter (sound level meter). The other was a frequency spectrum analyzer.

I was able to roam all around the arena, take acoustical readings directly on the phone, and then text message Wes quantitative information regarding what I was hearing. He could then make adjustments from his position beside the playing floor, based on what I was hearing in the stands. All as simple as a phone call!

Have you got an interesing smart phone story? Share it with our readers.

Posted in Pro Sound, audio visual, microphones & mic stands | No Comments »

2010-Ready or Not, Here We Come

Monday, January 4th, 2010

I’ve spent most of the morning reading blogs with predictions about what to expect from internet development in 2010.

The most consistent prediction, by far (shows up on every list), is that we should expect a true explosion in internet video. The combination of an expansion in bandwidth, the ease in which new content can be developed and the ability to search online for videos based on their content all mean that the value of internet video has increased greatly.

Last year we rolled out our video “how to” animation series, designed as simple teaching tools for those who work in audio visual and entertainment production. They have been well received and we look forward to producing more in the new year.

The use of the web as a teaching medium can quickly expand, due to the ability of cell phones to now stream video.

Need to know how the pros tape down a cable? Our “how to” animation is as close as your smart phone.

Do you have a good idea for a “how to” animation for the audio visual production community. Let us know.

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A Big Loss For Pro Sound

Monday, December 28th, 2009

I was saddened to learn today of the death of Ross Ritto, one of the pioneers in the modern sound reinforcement industry. Ross had a direct impact on my entry into pro sound and it was always good to come across his name in trade journals and discussions about pro sound touring.

I have written a number of times about the “graying” of the pro sound industry, but losing Ross at the age of 60 really brings this home for me.

While best known as the founder and CEO of Sound Image, a major west coast touring company, I first encountered Ross back in the 1970’s. His company, Silverfish Audio, a sound company from Buffalo, NY provided a touring audio system for Jimmy Buffett.

Ross brought a football stadium sized sound system to my alma mater, UNC Chapel Hill, and by the end of the day I had a totally new concept of what major league sound reinforcement was about.

Although I was only one of many stagehands on the call, Ross took as much time as need to answer all my questions, no matter how ridiculous, and that Jimmy Buffet show as one of the most memorable of my career.

This was in the days of multi-component horn loaded sound systems, and with the information I learned from Ross, I built a “mini” system much like the one he brought to Kenan Stadium. In fact, there are probably a couple of pieces of this package still lurking in the back of our warehouse.

My decision to pursue a pro sound career was met at every step by patient professionals like Ross, and I consider knowing him one of the highlights of my 30 hears in a great industry.

He will be missed.

(link to the original Silverfish Audio brochure with pics of the sound system I am talking about)

GoodBuyGuys.com is your online source for Permacel gaffers tape,Duracell Procell batteries, MagLite flashlights, Nashua duct tape, Bay State wire ties, Hosa and Entertainment One extension cords and OnStage Stand mic stands. We appreciate those pioneers that built the pro sound business.

Posted in Other News, Pro Sound, audio visual, good business ideas | 1 Comment »

Your Local High School Needs You

Wednesday, December 16th, 2009

We enjoy working with our local schools and are particularly proud this holiday season to be involved with the arts curriculum at Northwood High School, the school my daughter attends. They are finishing up a series of special events this week and we applaud them for their hard work.

Periodically, I have pointed out the phenomenon I call the “graying” of the concert production industry. Lots of hands-on techs who got their start in sound and lighting began their careers in the 1970’s and ’80’s and are now looking at retirement or career changes. Unfortunately, there are not a lot of kids ready to take their places.

If you read the trade journals that cover the concert production industry, you know that a very high percentage of the articles feature technicians in their 50’s or even 60’s.

My work at Northwood High confirms this trend. Northwood has a newly renovated auditorium with state of the art sound and lighting systems. Twenty years ago, there would have been students crawling all over each other to get a chance to learn to operate this equipment.

Not today. Northwood has hundreds of kids involved in band, dance and drama but almost no students who want to work backstage or in the production booth. They simply don’t see it as a college or career track.

We have recently developed a series of “how to” animations related to teaching technical theatre skills, along with a set of printed guides.

It is our hope little things like this, along with our involvement in training students and teaching tech skills, will open the eyes of some of these high school students to the possibilities of an exciting career path that will soon have lots of employment opportunities.

If you have technical skills and are making a career change, give some thought to sharing all you’ve learned with your local high school arts program.

GoodBuyGuys.com is your online source for Permacel gaffers tape,Duracell Procell batteries, MagLite flashlights, Nashua duct tape, Bay State wire ties, Hosa and Entertainment One extension cords andOnStage Stand mic stands. We’re passionate about arts education in the public schools.

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Is Your Church Breaking The Law?

Monday, December 14th, 2009

mike2 It seems that churches are being turned into lawbreakers by the FCC

It is certainly not news that churches, technically at least, are legally required to have licenses for their wireless mics.

At this time of year when so many churches produce special events that use wireless mics, this issue has been brought back into sharp focus.

A group called the White Spaces Coalition has come together to advocate for the use of unused broadcast spectrum intended for televison to actually be used for wireless internet. This is group of lightweights. Members include Microsoft, Google, Dell, Earthlink and Samsung among others.

While the FCC has turned a deaf ear to unlicensed wireless microphone users in the past, it is unlikely that those who make up the White Space Coalition will allow the FCC to continue to ignore the use of spectrum that is now seen as being so valuable.

I have written before about how these companies are pushing the FCC to build databases of unused broadcast spectrum nationwide.

The chances that a high school theatre or “Sunday only” wireless mic user will be able to stay under the radar if the spectrum they use is commandeered for wireless internet use, since these sorts of services are in as high demand in rural areas and secondary markets as they are in major metro areas.

If you don’t think Microsoft will turn the FCC loose on you, you don’t know Microsoft.

You can read more about the White Space Coaltion here.

GoodBuyGuys.com is your online source for Permacel gaffers tape,Duracell Procell batteries, MagLite flashlights, Nashua duct tape, Bay State wire ties, Hosa and Entertainment One extension cords andOnStage Stand mic stands. Click here to sign up for our newsletter. Here’s a link to our new “How To” animation series.

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Internet Marriage To Intercom-Thousands of Offspring

Wednesday, December 9th, 2009

My email in box stays stuffed with promotional material related to concert and special event production-mostly hardware. I’m lucky if I have a chance to look at one in ten messages.

I’m really glad I clicked on the one from Clear-Com. Clear-Com is a leader in intercom systems used in theatres, tv studios and touring production. Producing a show would be impossible without it.

On a complicated event, concert or television shoot each production company will usually have their own closed system that deals with one aspect of the production.

Unfortunately, one of the problems with a closed intercom system is that there is always somebody on a different system that you really need to talk to.

Clear-Com has released an intercom system (Clear-Com Concert) that uses internet protocol (IP) rather than standard xlr microphone cable for connecting users. This means that anybody with internet access and the proper clearances can join the conversation related to putting on the show.

The video director can include a follow spot operator in the conversation by adding him or anybody else to the work group. As long as internet access is available (wired or wireless) there is no limit to the number of participants.

There are multiple ways to administer the user group so that those who need to be included for only a little while can be managed, hopefully preventing what might be really chaotic. The software package developed for this system allows for a simple “drag-and-drop” method to build your temporary user group and users can also communicate by real time texting in addition to spoken word.

Perhaps most interesting, now participants who are not on-site for the event can be given access to the intercom loop. Imagine being able to bring in the original set designer or a qualified repair tech in real time to address an issue as the show unfolds.

GoodBuyGuys.com is your online source for Permacel gaffers tape,Duracell Procell batteries, MagLite flashlights, Nashua duct tape, Bay State wire ties, Hosa and Entertainment One extension cords andOnStage Stand mic stands. If you know about a new innovation in concert production hardware, please share it with us.

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