CAS Quarterly

Summer 2018

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C A S   Q U A R T E R L Y     S U M M E R 2 0 1 8   33 said, production sound mixers still managed to tweak this and find a reasonable gain staging scheme to make something like this sound decent. But if that sounds like a compromise, it was. Dynamic range limitations were the main deterrent and continue to be in the option discussed below. Then enter the implementation of plug-on or "butt-plug" transmitters. I loathe calling them that, even though I will say most in the industry refer to them under that horrendous nickname. This has become a fairly common solution once wireless boom as a "thing" caught on and became, not only mainstream, but so widespread that I didn't know anyone not doing wireless boom (possibly some just most of the time). This solution is at least consolidating; one device that provides phantom power and is typically robust in build quality and sound quality. Also, it's designed for non- lavaliere microphones. The main challenge with some of these devices is that they Audio Limited   A10 for Wireless Boom Tech Review: b y D e v e n d r a C l e a r y C A S I set out to demo the new Audio Ltd. A10 system with the specific intent on testing it for my own use as a wireless boom set. For purposes of this review, I intend to keep to that specific theme. My opinions and thoughts could be applied to its implementations as a talent body mic as well but, keeping on point as an unboxing of a wireless boom option, I think Audio Ltd. may have potentially, unintentionally stumbled upon an underserved market for wireless boom systems with our options being a hodgepodge of multiple devices, heavy devices, overkill devices and, lastly, items not intended or designed for this purpose. This elegant solution may have had wireless boom as an afterthought, but maybe not. Either way, upon first glance—I'm impressed. WIRELESS BOOM IS A "THING" Most bodypack transmitters don't feature 48 volt phantom power, much less a balanced input. They usually have lavaliere specific inputs with a confusing hi-Z wiring scheme. In the early days of wireless boom experimentation/implementation, we would just Velcro a bodypack transmitter to a portable battery-powered 48 volt phantom power supply. We'd then cram these components into some sort of belt- worn bag. This is what I meant by hodgepodge. This rig required multiple battery changes, was susceptible to RF interference and pigtail cable failure; and would also utilize a mic preamp that was not necessarily intended for non-lavaliere-style mics. With all of that Using the boom pole mount A10-TX

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