PHILADELPHIA – Currently in its 202nd year of operation, the Walnut Street Theatre recently invested in a sizeable wireless microphone setup from Lectrosonics. Roy W. Backes is the Walnut Street Theatre's Production Manager.
Overseeing everything technical, including lighting and sound, Backes opted for a new Lectrosonics 24-channel wireless system consisting of four Venue series receiver mainframes (each with six VRT receiver modules); 24 SMQV dual battery super-miniature beltpack transmitters; two SMV single battery super-miniature beltpack transmitters; plus a single UT handheld transmitter with Lectrosonics' VMC cardioid cartridge.
All equipment uses Lectrosonics' Digital Hybrid Wireless technology, which uses a proprietary algorithm to encode 24-bit digital audio information with no compression and low distortion into an analog format that can be transmitted over an analog FM wireless link. The result: a higher dynamic range free from sonic artifacts.
Backes credited the Lectrosonics gear for compact size, resistance to moisture and its ability to comply with the FCC's recently enacted new wireless regulations for the 700 MHz band.
Radio frequency (RF) agility was another concern that impacted Backes' purchase decision. "Being in the heart of downtown Philadelphia, there is a tremendous amount of RF activity," Backes said. "In addition to broadcast signals, there are several other theatres that use wireless mics. Lectrosonics' SmartTune feature enables us to easily find available frequencies at the touch of a button and, as a result, we haven't had a single issue with competing RF activity."
Lectrosonics' SmartTune feature scans all the available operating frequencies within the system's frequency block range and then selects the frequency with the least amount of RF interference.
The Walnut Street Theatre acquired their new Lectrosonics wireless microphone system in May and used it right away for Fiddler on the Roof, and next for a production of the whodunit, Curtains.
"We've been very pleased," Backes said. "The system has been a solid performer right from the start. When we first took delivery of the equipment, we had a few questions and Lectrosonics' customer/technical support services were extremely responsive, and that's very encouraging.
"We haven't had any issues during performances," Backes added. "When we're doing eight shows a week on a nine-week run, it's really important that this equipment holds up. Reliability is a paramount concern for us and the Lectrosonics equipment has delivered in a big way. We couldn't be happier."
For additional information, please visit at www.lectrosonics.com.
