Broadcasting and telecoms have had a long relationship, one that in recent years has become closer and more symbiotic. But there is one area where the two clash head on: radio spectrum. This is a vital resource for not just television and radio transmission but also the production of entertainment shows and outside broadcasts today, which relies heavily on wireless microphones and cameras, in-ear monitors (IEMs) and mobile communications. Parallel to this is the ever-growing demand from mobile phone companies for frequencies to support video streaming and wireless telephony as well as telephony.
This article is a basic primer with excerpts taken from the larger comprehensive document written by this article’s author for iZotope, Inc. The complete eBook and PDF is available for free at: https://www.izotope.com/en/support/support-resources/guides/
You are sitting there quietly watching your favorite show on TV when all of a sudden the commercial comes on – BAM, WAM, BUY, BUY… screams at you. The purpose of the commercial is to grab your attention in the few seconds of the spot. The recording engineers in the commercials production agency will turn up the sound levels into the red for maximum impact and effect to shake you out of your slumbers. However the effect can be to intensely annoy the viewer who reaches for the channel change, or worse calls the TV company to complain.
In many cities, radio stations have become the new TV stations. Radio stations gain visibility (literally), the station talent gains additional exposure and radio becomes more of a two-way experience for listeners/viewers. In addition, co-owned TV stations often do break-in interview segments with their partner radio stations as a form of cross promotion. The news casters and DJs banter for a couple of minutes resulting in good publicity for both stations.
With the FCC’s upcoming auctions of broadcast spectrum, wireless microphones not only face technology challenges, but political ones as well over the next few years.
Most audio professionals over 50 years old have lived through an era of extraordinary change. They began their careers using precision hardware-based sonic tools designed to capture and process sound in large studios with real musical instruments. Now, they can work almost anywhere on a portable computer with low-cost workstations and software plug-ins that can emulate the greatest audio technology ever invented.
These days, audio and video recordings can be made by almost anyone. From smartphones to sophisticated studios and sound stages, large amounts of media content are created daily. And as our world becomes increasingly and audibly congested, the rate of ruined recordings is rising in tandem. Human error, unexpected electrical or mechanical interference and unwelcome intrusions from aircrafts, cell phones, pets, people and Mother Nature regularly impact even the most seasoned professional. Many times, it just isn’t possible to record the take over again, particularly when editing coverage of a live event, or working to meet budgets and deadlines.
Headphones continue to be an important tool for accurate audio monitoring.