Lights and Sound: Headsets for techies

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Headsets for techies

Printed From: Community Theater Green Room
Category: Producing Theater
Forum Name: Lights and Sound
Forum Discription: Technical discussion
URL: http://www.communitytheater.org/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=3910
Printed Date: 5/06/25 at 12:48am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 8.05 - http://www.webwizforums.com

Topic: Headsets for techies

Posted By: Nyria
Subject: Headsets for techies
Date Posted: 3/30/09 at 9:25pm

What is the basic thing I need to communicate from backstage to the tech. booth? Something cheap cuz we is poor. I just need headsets and mics - I've used them tons of times but I don't know what they are actually called.

I need to go buy some from ebay or perhaps an electronics store but I have no idea what to CALL them.

Help please =)

Thanks

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NYRIA

Replies:

Posted By: Scott B
Date Posted: 3/30/09 at 10:05pm

Well .. you can get something like Cobra walkie talkies that can be purchased at Wal-Mart or a Radio Shack. I would think ebay would have them as well. You do take the risk of interference and they might or might not work through walls. Ours have worked out just fine. Other options are going to go up in cost. If you're cheap or poor ... then try them out and see if they work.

Posted By: Nyria
Date Posted: 3/31/09 at 2:02pm

Sorry - I should have been more specific - 'cheap' is like $100 - $200 (but we'll pay what we need to). Just not the thousand dollar units ;)

We tried using walkie talkies - we have them in the office at school - and they were a pain in the butt.

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NYRIA

Posted By: horgonzo
Date Posted: 4/18/09 at 8:24pm

To answer your basic question, your talking about headset communicators which are made by a few different companies. One of the most known companies is clearcom and telex. These systems cost into the thousands, however anchor audio make a cheaper version called portacom. Good luck.

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Scott

Posted By: gaftpres
Date Posted: 4/19/09 at 8:09am

Radio shack has headset walkie talkies. They come with vox or manual operation, ie push a button to speak to the other headset. These are failry reasonable aroudn $100 or less. They work fine for short distances, under 200ft. We have used them in our CT, they do have a wire and a clip box for your belt, waistband etc. It isn't the most comfortable and the box tends to fall if a lot os scene change business is being completed. If you are using them for a cue to open the curtain or something like that. We have a red light attached with a remote that will turn it on. The remote is located back stage and the light is in the front of the house to cue the in hous techs that the bacstage is ready. Just couple cost effective things that have worked for us.

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Old volunteers never die, they just get recycled!

Posted By: gaftpres
Date Posted: 4/19/09 at 8:11am

oh boy, sorry for all the typos. I didn't realize there were so many until I read it back. oops fat and tired fingers today I guess.

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Old volunteers never die, they just get recycled!

Posted By: David McCall
Date Posted: 4/19/09 at 12:00pm

I like the security of wired headsets, but wireless is better for people that have to move around a lot. One of the groups I work with have had good success with walkie-talkies with a headset or earbuds. I don't know what models they are using. Remember to change the batteries :-)

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David M

Posted By: jtonner
Date Posted: 5/21/09 at 12:12pm

Try the Eartec MC1000 CT units. The receiver is 125 and the head sets can be as low as 25.00 each. Excellent full wirless for a very good price.

John

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John

Posted By: David McCall
Date Posted: 5/21/09 at 5:22pm

I think I like the idea of using wired to all of the positions that don't need to move around much, but have wireless for the stage crew. There was once an article that told about tyeing relatively inexpensive walkie talkie style intercoms to a wired system. Does anyone here know anything about that?

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David M

Posted By: Gaafa
Date Posted: 5/22/09 at 1:46am

This is a handbook, available on the net, that may help with interfacing Radio/wire to wire Talk back systems;-

http://www.telexradiocom.com/binary/Handbook%20of%20Intercom%20Systems%20Engineering.pdf - http://www.telexradiocom.com/binary/Handbook%20of%20Intercom%20Systems%20Engineering.pdf

[I posted this previously on site & could be the article your refering to David]?

I have used a cobbled together wire/wire sysyem using utalising the venues AC power oulets. Modify an AC intercom units, available from most electronic outlets/shops. Interconecting Headsets into the units, which works well. The units just plug into ypur normal AC General Purpose OUTLETS & TALK BACK is carried over the venues power system - however ensure it's installed by a Licensed Electrician!

Other wise the cheap radio hwad sets, as previously mentioed, from your loccal electronis shop work well - however you can alsoget a lot of interferiances from other users on the same frequency.

Wire to wire systems are the best to use, along with the draw backs of trailing a cable & other little dramas!

Otherwise for a cheap system, 'Traffic Light' Boxes work well, for cues.

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Joe
Western Gondawandaland
turn right @ Perth.
Hear the light & see the sound.
Toi Toi Toi Chookas {{"chook [chicken] it is"}
May you always play
to a full house}

Posted By: TimmyP1955
Date Posted: 1/02/10 at 2:02pm

http://www.beltpac.com

Compatible with "the standard" (ClearCom), but less expensive and more reliable (according to the local concert production house).