OT :Audioguide for a show

Nat wrote on 1/30/2004, 4:09 PM
This is not related to Vegas, but some of you may be familiar with what I am looking for.

I am working for company where we are planning a big multimedia show for 2005, the capacity will be around 200 persons per night. The audio of the show will be streamed thought headphones.
I was wondering if any of you had some tips about implementing this, should I go with an audioguide system where the data is stored on each handset, or should I build myself a network of amplifiers and headphones ?

Thanks,

Nat

Comments

Chienworks wrote on 1/30/2004, 4:25 PM
I'm guessing all headsets should be in sync, right? If you're willing to spend the money i'd suggest wireless headsets. In that sort of quantity a UHF system should be pretty reasonable. An optical infrared system might be something to consider too, but those have more of a line-of-sight requirement and the transmitters are substantially more expensive.
Nat wrote on 1/31/2004, 11:51 AM
Will It be possible to send multiple languages on different wireless channels ?
Chienworks wrote on 1/31/2004, 1:27 PM
Sure. You'll need a transmitter for each language and you'll have to make sure the frequencies don't overlap. Any reputable dealer will make sure the frequencies are ok before you put down your cash. The only problem i see is that the headsets may be fixed frequencies rather than tuneable. This means that you'll have to keep track of which headets you have for each frequency and you may need substantially more than 200 so that you'll have enough of each frequency to cover whatever group comes in. If you expect a lot of diversity then it might be better to look for headsets that can be tuned to different frequencies. They may cost a bit more, but you won't have to buy a lot of extras.

I'm not sure if the same thing would apply to infrared systems. Technically it's possible, but i don't know if there's enough call to have made it worthwhile for manufacturers to produce multichannel infrared.
Nat wrote on 2/1/2004, 3:49 PM
Nice, and do you any companies that sells such systems, I have a wireless JVC headphone set at home, but I doubt it's the same type of equipment used for shows.
PipelineAudio wrote on 2/2/2004, 10:11 AM
http://www.ear.net/
let em know who sent you if it turns out good :)

This is exciting, after you get it pulled off let us all know how it went, sounds like a big chunk of technical challenge!

And I thought having 5 screaming emo/sissypunk kids running around the studio was a headache!
Nat wrote on 2/2/2004, 1:01 PM
That show is gonna be quite huge. It's an outdoor show featuring actors/acrobats. Audio, lightning and effects (smoke) will all be controlled by a computer running Max/MSP. This will allow me to control all with a single midi controller and a wireless handheld PC. If the wireless headphones don't work I will build a wired network with poweramps and passive boxes for each seat.

Thanks for the tips !
Chienworks wrote on 2/2/2004, 1:02 PM
Just curious, but is this show happening on a fixed stage or all in one area? I'm wondering why you've opted for headsets instead of a more conventional public address system.
Nat wrote on 2/2/2004, 3:09 PM
It will be presented on a fixed stage. It is not yet sure if we will use a PA or not, most likely though we will use headphones for thoses reasons :

-It will facilitate the multiple languages that will be presented (we prefer to have different audio languages rather than subtitles on a screen)

-The show will be presented once a week during the whole summer and we are concerned that a PA could eventually disturb some neigbours that live nearby.

if it wasn't of these problems I'd setup a multichannel surround PA, spanning 4 to 8 channels....