How many of your venues keep a VOG/ emergency mic FOH or with the SM?

[photoatdv]

I was wondering how many venues keep an emergency mic available either FOH or with the SM? I know my old hs started keeping a set-up and muted mic at the FOH position. This of course started after we were trying to evacuate and it took several minutes (okay it seemed like several) for anyone to get on a mic. I know that would seem to be the SM's job, but in our venue we didn't have very functional headsets, so despite the fact a mic was 2' away from me (I was SM) I couldn't hear the call from FOH to make an announcement to evacuate well enough to figure out what they were saying! Fortunately this wasn't a situation where a couple of minutes made a big difference, but I could easily see it being a matter of life and death if there were a fire.

[sk8rsdad]

The only time we've ever had to evacuate was due to a prolonged power outage. The amplifiers are not on UPS (uninterruptible power supply) since they are not deemed critical, so the VOG was not very useful.

[Fred]

HS had one integrated into the booth (SM called almost everything from there). College occasionally had one up there, but also realized that the theatre was small enough that any ASM with a resonable ability to speak loudly could do the same from the stage (great acoustics).

Now, with tiny community theatre fun...well, I can yell pretty darn loud.

[willbb123]

There is always a mic set up by the console. We do alot of concerts so its there as a talkback, but it did get used last time we had to evacuate. We now have a blow horn in case power is out.

[mbenonis]

Our god mic operates through the intercom system (ClearCom Matrix 3), so all the PSM has to do is push a button and her com becomes a god mic. We use this a lot during tech when the PSM needs to give direction to the cast ("hold please"), and also during shows for routine special announcements (talkbacks after the performance, etc).

[Clifford]

I put always because our Mackie 32-8 has a built-in talkback mic. If we need to address the audience, we use that. Not the most amazing thing, but it works.

[DaveySimps]

We always keep one at FOH Mix and one by the SM. The SM also has a paging system for the Lobby and backstage areas tied into our Clear-Com system. We also have an announce mic in the Box Office just in case. All locations also have flashlights and spare batteries.

~Dave

[seanandkate]

Like mbenonis, we go through the Clearcom for VOG. Not much help in a power failure, but it's a small enough venue that a good voice can fill it.

[MillburyAuditorium]

We haven't been keeping a mic at the sound board because really, we don't have anywhere to plug it in, one of our boards channels does not work, but we are planning on fixing it this year, then we will keep a mic at the sound board so we don't need to yell to people at the stage during rehearsals even, and since our entire theatre is on backup power so we dont have a problem with power outages. (As in speakers going out that is.)

We really wished we had one when our power had died out, and backup power didnt come online for a few minutes, was a problem with wiring that has been fixed, and so I had to get up on stage and announce what was happening, and I have a small and shy voice : )

[kiwitechgirl]

We don't have a dedicated VOG mic - the comms are wired into the Tannoy so that I can make dressing room announcements, but nothing FOH. Our space isn't particularly big though (only 300 seats) and on the few occasions where something has gone wrong (other than a fire alarm!), I have had no trouble making myself heard to the audience.