How to Take Control of Your Wireless Microphones

Show notes, images, and links: http://wp.me/p1sfi8-1DH Support Sound Design Live on Patreon for as little as $1: https://www.patreon.com/sounddesignlive In this episode of Sound Design Live I interview Karl Winkler from Lectrosonics. We discuss the basics of frequency coordination, wireless microphone myths, and how the Super Bowl manages 1,000 channels of wireless devices. Karl also explains what a backup frequency is, whether bluetooth devices, microwaves and cell phones will cause interference, and how to prepare for rogue wireless devices. 1. Music in this episode by The Giovanni Quartet, Brodsky Quartet, The Bartok Quartet, and Brentano String Quartet. 2. USC Recording Arts
 3. Karl's principles for success in audio 1. Have a good attitude. If your job is to roll tires from the back of the store to the front, you should be so good that people will pay to see you do it. Don't be afraid of the work or think of it as being beneath you. 2. The basics always matter. Every art and science requires you to know the fundamentals. 3. Really listen. Learn to use use your ears as a troubleshooting tool. See Trouble-Shooting Audio Systems tutorial. 4. SynAudCon - Making Wireless Work
 5. Wireless Workbench
 6. Myths 1. Wireless mics are voodoo. 2. A directional antenna is always better. 3. I can get more range with boosted antennas. 4. Lectrosonics is too expensive. 7. Cavity Filter = Pass band filter. Blocks out bands of frequencies to focus only on the ones you want. 8. Interview with Jim Venable from the Wireless Speaker Association
 9. Axient system from Shure
 10. Spectra Pulse from Audio Technica
 11. Lectrosonics Facebook Group and FAQ page
 12. Words 1. Shark Fins = Directional antennas = LPDA (log periodic dipol arrays) 2. Intermodulation distortion = Occurs when two or more signals mix within an active device and create phantom frequencies. 3. Backup/spare frequencies = Pre-coordinated channels that you don't need at the moment, but are already calculated to fit, preventing guess work. 13. Big Mistakes 1. Not separating your IEMs, comms, and mics into different bands. 2. Bad antenna placement. 3. Not calculating signal loss for long antenna cable. 14. Quotes 1. "Audio is a guilded career. You start as an apprentice. That's how most people get their start." 2. "Your attitude is irreplaceable." 3. "There is something to learn from everything you do in life." 4. "Any time you add an active component, you are potentially raising the noise floor and increasing distortion. It can mix signals and create intermodulation products. You always want a net zero gain between antenna and receiver."