Headset communication when filming bands ?

Paul R Johnson · October 28th, 2009, 11:13 AM

We do it with standard Tecpro comms gear, a single XLR cable runs it all. DT150 type headsets work fine, apart from the cameras near the PA. The David Clarke aviation headsets are great (but amazingly expensive) and make close to PA work better, but turning on the mic still squirts plenty of PA down the line. There are some noise cancelling mic headsets, but they're not common. Digital comms kit is now available, but again has a high cost, although it can be rented. Walkie-talkie style radios are hopeless, because they are simplex - you have to push a button to speak, and while speaking, cannot listen. Vox (auto-transmit) doesn't work if it's loud, and even when it does, chops off the beginning of each sentence.

What we tend to do is allocate one camera as the 'master' - the one that normally can get the best shots. This camera op then tells the others what he has, and the mainly wide op ensures he covers when the others are hunting for new shots. If everyone can talk, it works fine, everyone working as a team to tell the others what they have. "I'm on the guitar" - "ok, I've got the singer" - "I'm still wide - anyone got the drums? He's doings something...."

This even works with rookie ops, the skilled ones can just talk the rookie through what they know he can do. It doesn't guarantee the edit, but is much better than the usual guesswork.

October 28th, 2009, 11:13 AM	#16
Paul R Johnson Inner Circle Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Lowestoft - UK Posts: 4,045	We do it with standard Tecpro comms gear, a single XLR cable runs it all. DT150 type headsets work fine, apart from the cameras near the PA. The David Clarke aviation headsets are great (but amazingly expensive) and make close to PA work better, but turning on the mic still squirts plenty of PA down the line. There are some noise cancelling mic headsets, but they're not common. Digital comms kit is now available, but again has a high cost, although it can be rented. Walkie-talkie style radios are hopeless, because they are simplex - you have to push a button to speak, and while speaking, cannot listen. Vox (auto-transmit) doesn't work if it's loud, and even when it does, chops off the beginning of each sentence. What we tend to do is allocate one camera as the 'master' - the one that normally can get the best shots. This camera op then tells the others what he has, and the mainly wide op ensures he covers when the others are hunting for new shots. If everyone can talk, it works fine, everyone working as a team to tell the others what they have. "I'm on the guitar" - "ok, I've got the singer" - "I'm still wide - anyone got the drums? He's doings something...." This even works with rookie ops, the skilled ones can just talk the rookie through what they know he can do. It doesn't guarantee the edit, but is much better than the usual guesswork.