Recording a Comms session?

[No X In Nixon]

Evening all,

We're currently in the middle of a big performance that comes along every two years (kind of half variety show, half concert); and the other techs and myself have been trying to think of a way to set up our comms system that we can record it (one of them had the brilliant idea to overlay the comms chatter on the DVD of the performance as an 'extra').

However, as the comms packs are powered through the cabling that also carries the audio; we're very reluctant to plug the 'thru' into an input on a mixing desk for fear of blowing something up (which seems probable...).

Has anyone attempted to plug their comms system into a mixer to record, and if yes, did it work??? And if that's not possible, does anyone know of a way to record the comms without going as far as buying a complete new system?



Thanks a million

No X.

[Hughesie]

depending on your setup your base station might have a line out. I know concert intercomm ones do.

we thought of doing the same thing but never had anything to record it onto, plus some of our comments shouldn't be heard by the public.

I really *swear word* that cue

just an example

[loki]

Low Teck
A idea that might work, is simply plug another coms substation in, in a nice quite place, then turn it up full volume, and stick a mic near the speekers in the headphones and run the mic into a recording deck.

High Teck
I dont know if it exists, but you could make or buy a lead that plugs into the substations "Headphones" jack, and the other end would be XLR or RCA or somthing, then plug it into a recording station, it would elimonate the power issue, and would be neat, just dont know if the lead exists

[avare]

It can be easily done from the cables. However, without specifics of model, number of channels, two wire/single wire, it is impossible to give specific directions. The Handbook of Intercom Systems Engineering has the technical specs for several intercom wiring systems.

Andre

[No X In Nixon]

Thanks for those quick replys guys,

I'll check tomorrow what the model is - however as far as I know, it doesn't have a line out.


And as for the headphone to rca/xlr; that's not a bad idea... Could probably make one with not much effort... Again, I'll let you know how it goes!


Thanks again,

No X.

[waynehoskins]

The basic choices that will dictate how it's done:
- Clear-Com Party Line
- CC Matrix
- RTS TW Two-channel 3-wire
- RTS TW One-channel 3-wire
- Telex

Chances are it's a Clear-Com PL system: those are pretty standard in theatre. RTS is standard in television. Telex never fit in really well anywhere, and now has merged with RTS.

[DaveySimps]

+1 for the make your own cable concept. You should be able to find a wiring diagram for most modern systems that indicate the pinout of your spicific headset.

~Dave

[Van]

Agreed, make your own adapter cable, Just be sure to inform all parties that they will be being recorded, then after the production... destroy the cord so it can't be used again without fore-knowledge of the crew.

I had a Comms cnversation recorded behind my back once and it came back to bite me.

[Hughesie]

we had an ex crew, cast member steal a spare comms once. that wasn't fun

[Footer]

So is the Nixon name and recording conversations that usually are not recorded just a fluke? I had to ask...