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Found a cool headset for live guys


William Demeritt

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I found a headset setup that works pretty nicely for live stuff.

 

http://www.amazon.com/AfterShokz-Sportz-AS321-Headphones-Microphone/dp/B009G89ZDU/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1385072936

 

They're bone induction headphones with a stereo mini plug. I've been using them with my Yaesu VX-3R walkie for listening to the PL. Personally, I like them over a modified noise canceling option (like the Bose ComfortQuiet sets) because I can block out all noise rather than fighting to cancel the noise. Also, noise cancellation only kills some of the noise, so I gotta turn the PL up pretty loud to still strain to hear.

 

These sit just in front of the ear canal, resting against your head. Your ear canal remains unblocked, and the headphones play "into your skull". If your stage is quiet, you can still talk to (and hear) your talent or people around you while also hearing the director or anything over PL. If I'm on a loud stage or loud event, I wear earplugs to block any noise coming through the ear canal. The sound bypasses the ear canal, so it actually sounds very isolated and clear.

 

I did a live concert (small studio) deal with earplugs and the headphones, and I was amazed how well it worked compared to other solutions. I also didn't go home deaf from cranking up the PL volume to fight the noise that still got through other headphones.

 

Downside is it runs off a battery, but they last 12+ hours and charge off Micro USB, so you can charge it off a PTAP with the right cable. I'm also going to try and get the microphone on the battery pack to work, but it probably won't with the Yaesu.

 

Regardless, if you fly with a mic on the camera to talk back, then this works as a pretty good solution.

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Hey,

I'm not a live guy, but I love Google search challenges. I think I have found your solution for the mic to the radio.

You need this adapter to go from the "iPhone" Plug to split mic/headset plugs. http://www.amazon.com/Headset-Buddy-Adapter-Smartphone-01-PH35-PC35/dp/B00332DPDG/ref=pd_sim_pc_10

Then from this set of split plugs to the Yaesu plug adapter. http://www.sportys.com/PilotShop/product/10987

If you want, you can even cut the cables and solder them together to avoid the two jack plugs in the middle.

Let me know what you think.

Also these headphones seems great!

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Specifically with the Yaesu radio, I can't talk back through it anyway. I use it mostly to listen, and the mic on camera is used for talking (if ever).

 

However, I have wondered about making some cables so it would work with the 5-pin XLR on the PL packs, something to give a microphone as well as use these headphones.

 

The headphones are pretty good, although certainly not as loud as traditional headphones. However, I do have a pair of the bluetooth ones as well for bike riding.

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Rob, I'd be eager to see what the setup is that you use? I think some guys use the Sennheiser EW100 or whatever to transmit from camera to Yaesu (or whatever ham radio works), but I'd be eager to see what molded headsets you guys use or how you handle the variety (as small as it may be) of PL setups in the live world.

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There are a bunch of different manufacturers of in ear monitors. The guy I used is no longer around. I know you can get them at Guitar Center. Unless you are really into audio, no reason to buy multi driver monitors. The single driver model works just fine for pl. I looked into wireless but really couldn't justify it. I know some folks like to walk around with their vest on, but everyone at Kimmel already knows I'm the Man so no reason to rub their noses in it. (That was not bullying ). I took the mic from an old headset and wired it into a 5 pin xlr. Velcro on side of camera. Also wired a female mini out of the xlr for the in ear monitor wire. Taped it to my fiber jumper. Monitor wire is about the same gauge as your iPhone wire so I don't believe it's messing up the rig.

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I suspect we have a couple of different conversations working here. Rob and I work in VERY LOUD environments. More often than not, ones bowels will liquefy from the low end coming from the speaker stacks. Thus a pair of Depends and In Ear Monitors are the only way to go. I've tried wearing shooting muffs over lightweight earbuds and had some success as well as Helicopter headsets. The problem is they get hot and pinch my noggin. If I were shooting in a more civilized setting, I would certainly go with some of the lightweight solutions offered above.

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I don't have any better choice but to work in a VERY LOUD environments as well.

Most of the time standing 1ft away from a refrigerator-size speaker.

 

The eartec system with its extreme headset works well for me.

Much, much better than RTS or ClearCom headset.

No need to wire any microphone to the camera.

No expensive "Blue" adaptor to Bluetooth.

Just need the truck to send me an XLR to my station so I can hook up the eartec system.

I can hold my shot while talking back to director.

 

It works well for film and commercial works as well.

 

If I have to be tethered with triax or fiber, then I don't bother to use wireless.

Just hook the headset to the back of the camera.

The headset cable never bothers me or my operation in anyway.

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