Making the Case for Two-Step Intercom Redundancy in Broadcast and Media Production With the complexity of live broadcast and production environments today, especially those utilizing hybrid and remote workflows in the wake of the pandemic, the success of full-duplex wireless and wired intercom systems is more important than ever.  If the primary IP or power connection goes out, so does everything connected to them – rendering potential catastrophe on a broadcast or live production ...

Designing an intercom system can be challenging! That's why I wanted to write a guide to give people a step-by-step process that is both effective and straight-forward. It doesn't have to be complicated, I promise! Communication systems are often based on several design criteria that a designer may consider such as the technical ability of the user to use an intercom station, the frequency that an intercom may be used versus the cost for wiring a facility. Communications systems ...

We are five months into 2021...

For intercom users who are connecting across departments...

Normally my job involves a lot of travel...

Charlie Butten, an East Coast transplant, made his way to San Francisco in the 1960's and helped revolutionize the intercom industry we know and love today. An audio genius, Charlie became well known to Rock n' Roll bands such as Cream, Carlos Santana, Canned Heat and Procol Harum. Together with Bob Cohen, the sound mixer at the famed Avalon Ballroom, Charlie developed the very first distributed amplifier intercom system consisting of a beltpack powered by a main station. Thus, the first ...

This is probably a question that forms on most newcomers lips as they anxiously fondle their smartphone and walk up to the first day on set or stage. “Why use this intercom when I have a phone?” The answer used to be very clear in the past; if you are on a call and a third person needs you, they will find you blocked. You cannot run a show, manage a stage, choreograph an event or coordinate a rocket launch without someone else in the same ‘project’ being able to talk or alert you at any ...

Comedian Bob Newhart's first record album...

In the first part of this series...

People have always needed to communicate...

Professional video and audio systems integration firm...

Zach Williamson of Live Design magazine...

Looking for a foot switch...

 I'm using HelixNet Partyline at our theater...

The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort...

Logic Systems, a 2013 Hometown Hero Regional Sound Honoree...

HelixNet Partyline Orbital Sound...

Christ Fellowship of Palm Beach Gardens...

Here’s a handy tip for the standard pinout to use when using CAT5 cable with XLR connectors for HelixNet Partyline: XLR CAT5 1 Orange & Orange/White (RJ45 2 & 1) – Ground 2 Green, Green/White, & Brown/White (RJ45 6, 3 & 7) - PWR +ve 30v & Digital Audio 3 Blue, Blue/White & Brown (RJ45 4, 5 & 8) - PWR-ve 30v & Digital Audio *Note: If you are using CAT5E cable, then put the screen of the cable to the XLR chassis.