CHICAGO—On Stage Audio has provided
cutting-edge technology and service for
most Fortune 500 companies in the more
than 30 years we have been in the live
sound business. We’ve now chosen to use
the Shure Axient wireless system for all of
our high-profile events due to its remote
data control over wireless networks, extremely
tight RF filtering, and spectrum
management software that natively communicates
with the hardware. I find it very
difficult to design a show without Axient, as
wireless microphones are one of the most
important elements in any production. In
my world, you only get one chance to make
the show flawless for the audience and client.
DIVERSITY SAVES THE SHOW
The biggest selling point for me was
Axient’s frequency diversity mode—this
enables the transmitter to deploy a second
independent frequency when interference
is detected. Recently, I was involved in an
event with some very notable speakers,
and noticed after the show was completed
that my main mic channel had taken some
RF hits and the system deployed the backup
frequency that I’d pre-programmed.
This made me realize that this system really
looks out for its users. I’ve always placed
two transmitters on presenters when using
bodypacks in a hostile frequency environment,
and it’s been up to me to either see
the interference via the receiver software,
or to hear it through the PA system. I’d never
had this automatic second channel deployment
luxury until Axient arrived.
There’s really nothing more unsettling
than hearing your lead vocalist cutting in
and out due to RF interference and then
running to get a spare mic to them. With
Axient, I don’t even hear the transition from
main and backup frequencies when the system
decides it’s necessary to switch.
TRANSMITTER REMOTE CONTROL
Spectrum Manager plays a big role in
the system’s success and nowadays has
become indispensable. Backup frequency
ranking has become a great comfort factor
for our applications. I look at this as my
safety net to ensure that RF interference
doesn’t spoil a rehearsal or event. This system
actually detects small issues before
they become problems, then offers to fix
them for you, maintaining perfection for
the audience. Additionally, having the ability
to change transmitter settings wirelessly
via a computer is very handy. I’ve used
this function to manipulate RF transmit
strength on packs, trim audio levels, and
change frequencies on the fly, all without
physically touching the transmitter.
The sound quality from the Axient system
is also by far the best on the market.
Additionally, an AES output for each channel
makes the noise floor nonexistent and
always free of hum and grounding issues.
This is a really great addition to the hardware
from an engineering perspective,
as typically this allows us to remove two
analog-to-digital conversions in the chain.
We do our best to push the advantages of
this system to our clients, and in most cases,
they agree that Axient is the only RF solution
capable of fulfilling their demands and
expectations.
Carmen P. Educate is a senior engineer
for On Stage Audio and has been with the
company for more than 15 years. She can
be contacted at ceducate@osacorp.com.
For additional information, contact
Shure at 800-257-4873 or visit www.Shure.com.