Home Built intercom at DVinfo.net

Matt Fowler · March 23rd, 2010, 09:56 PM

I'm not sure if this is the right area or not but i was wondering if anybody has built wired a partyline intercom system or no of a simple and fairly cheap one to buy?

Thanks,
Matthew Fowler

Richard Crowley · March 23rd, 2010, 11:03 PM

ComClone2

Mark Wheeler · March 24th, 2010, 03:37 AM

Wow. Cool! :)

Jay Massengill · March 24th, 2010, 08:42 AM

Once for a small 3-camera shoot I was asked to construct an intercom. I used an old Tascam M-06ST mixer that I had laying around. Combined with some $5 computer analog headset mics, unbalanced mic cables, headphone extension cables, and the most expensive items- plug-in-power-boxes for the mics, it worked perfectly for 4 people.
In fact we all agreed it had the best sound of any intercom we had ever used.
However, it was a "contraption". Not convenient or professional looking and the maximum distance it ran was 50-feet to the director in another room (2x25-foot cables each for both mic and headphone return).
If you were willing to have better combo cables made and used dynamic mics that didn't require power and you have an old mixer laying around it could be done and be very workable. But it would be up to you if that was a satisfactory solution versus a real intercom. It was a fun project and got the job done but it was the one and only use of the "JayCom 9000".

Matt Fowler · March 25th, 2010, 09:11 PM

Jay,
What where the plug-in-power-boxes for the mics you where talking about?

Thanks,
Matt

Jay Massengill · March 26th, 2010, 06:52 AM

I got them from SoundProfessionals online. They ran on 2 AAA batteries.
I can post the part number later.

March 23rd, 2010, 09:56 PM	#1
Matt Fowler Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Kansas Posts: 54	Home Built intercom I'm not sure if this is the right area or not but i was wondering if anybody has built wired a partyline intercom system or no of a simple and fairly cheap one to buy? Thanks, Matthew Fowler

March 23rd, 2010, 11:03 PM	#2
Richard Crowley Trustee Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 1,238	ComClone2

March 24th, 2010, 03:37 AM	#3
Mark Wheeler Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Hemet, CA. Posts: 87	Wow. Cool! :)

March 24th, 2010, 08:42 AM	#4
Jay Massengill Trustee Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Burlington Posts: 1,976	Once for a small 3-camera shoot I was asked to construct an intercom. I used an old Tascam M-06ST mixer that I had laying around. Combined with some $5 computer analog headset mics, unbalanced mic cables, headphone extension cables, and the most expensive items- plug-in-power-boxes for the mics, it worked perfectly for 4 people. In fact we all agreed it had the best sound of any intercom we had ever used. However, it was a "contraption". Not convenient or professional looking and the maximum distance it ran was 50-feet to the director in another room (2x25-foot cables each for both mic and headphone return). If you were willing to have better combo cables made and used dynamic mics that didn't require power and you have an old mixer laying around it could be done and be very workable. But it would be up to you if that was a satisfactory solution versus a real intercom. It was a fun project and got the job done but it was the one and only use of the "JayCom 9000".

March 25th, 2010, 09:11 PM	#5
Matt Fowler Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Kansas Posts: 54	Jay, What where the plug-in-power-boxes for the mics you where talking about? Thanks, Matt

March 26th, 2010, 06:52 AM	#6
Jay Massengill Trustee Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Burlington Posts: 1,976	I got them from SoundProfessionals online. They ran on 2 AAA batteries. I can post the part number later.