Intercom desperately needed

[zwolf59661]

I've been sort of looking into intercoms for my school auditorium, because it currently doesn't have one but desperately needs one.

The way our auditorium is set up, we have the spotlight in the balcony, light board at the back of house, and various other people on/back stage (SM, director, whoever else may be in charge as per event). There is NO (if any) communication between positions. A wireless intercom system is preferred because a wired system would require our auditorium to be remodeled, which won't happen. I don't know about funding, as our school district is generally anti-arts, but I can try pulling a some strings.

Any suggestions?

[Footer]

Do a search for wireless intercoms/clearcom. You should come up with some options. It IS NOT going to be cheap, probably in the 4-6k range. I would look a bit hard to see if you can't string cable or steal a sound run.

[icewolf08]

Originally Posted by zwolf59661

I've been sort of looking into intercoms for my school auditorium, because it currently doesn't have one but desperately needs one.
The way our auditorium is set up, we have the spotlight in the balcony, light board at the back of house, and various other people on/back stage (SM, director, whoever else may be in charge as per event). There is NO (if any) communication between positions. A wireless intercom system is preferred because a wired system would require our auditorium to be remodeled, which won't happen. I don't know about funding, as our school district is generally anti-arts, but I can try pulling a some strings.
Any suggestions?

If the positions that you need comms at don't usually change then there is no reason for the expense of wireless. Also, there is less chance of failure with a wired system. It isn't that hard for you to run cable in inconspicuous places, and it certainly does not require the space to be remodeled. People have a fascination with wireless comms, but wired ALWAYS are more reliable and cheaper.

[zwolf59661]

Originally Posted by Footer4321

I would look a bit hard to see if you can't string cable or steal a sound run.

Could you explain that a bit more, please?



And maybe a wired system would work, if we had somewhere to put it and a way of installing it. Any suggestions for a wired system? I've got the websites for Telex, Clear-Com, and Markertek.

[Footer]

Telex and clearcom are both good gear, however production intercom has some really great stuff for much cheaper then either of the other two, and its fully compatible with both companies. Do you have a sound system in your school? If so, you already have half the job done. Take a mic line that goes to each side of stage and you can run your clearcom line down that instead of pulling new cable. Yes, you will lose an input but I think what you will gain will offset that.

As far the balcony goes, get creative. If you get smaller mic cable, sometimes it can be tucked under trim, or who knows what else. There is a way to get cable everywhere, you just have to look at every option.

[mbenonis]

I'll second the motion to look at Production Intercom. Ruggedly built gear that just works. Be sure to spec in the cost of lots of XLR for the intercom - at least one 25' and one 10' per pack, plus some 50' and 100' runs. Mark them as com-only for your own sanity.

[avkid]

Originally Posted by mbenonis

Mark them as com-only for your own sanity.

Or you might even stick a 4 pin XLR connector on them to make sure nobody feels the need to use them for other purposes.

[icewolf08]

Originally Posted by avkid

Or you might even stick a 4 pin XLR connector on them to make sure nobody feels the need to use them for other purposes.

And um, how exactly does that help you? The comms need 3-pin so all you would do by getting 4pin is incur the extra cost and hassle of making adapters. And what happens when some lighting guy thinks it's scroller cable?

Easier to just pick an obnoxious colored cable, like bright yellow.

[avkid]

Originally Posted by icewolf08

And um, how exactly does that help you? The comms need 3-pin so all you would do by getting 4pin is incur the extra cost and hassle of making adapters. And what happens when some lighting guy thinks it's scroller cable?
Easier to just pick an obnoxious colored cable, like bright yellow.

Oh duh, 4 pin is the headset connector.
6 pin is for two channel
Shows how much I have worked with comm lately.

[mbenonis]

Originally Posted by avkid

Oh duh, 4 pin is the headset connector.
6 pin is for two channel
Shows how much I have worked with comm lately.

Only Telex 2-Channel, IIRC. ClearCom, RTS, and Telex 1 Channel use 3-pin.