LOS ANGELES—My company, State Media, specializes in Bolero system rentals and sales that are highly curated to the scripted film and TV, commercial, music video and documentary spaces.

For many years as a cinematographer working in scripted film, television and commercials, I worked in a niche of the entertainment industry dominated by walkies. Yet, I always found the most natural way of communicating with my department heads and sharing information, which is vital to the quality and efficiency of our work, was two-way communication.

Unfortunately, the systems we were using were limited to one, and at best two, party lines with uncomfortable headsets. Those headsets added wires to what they already wore between the walkies, which we still had to carry, and the Comtek receivers for program feed (the audio mix from the sound department, often referred to as “program audio” in other areas of production). I felt terrible having to make them wear these things and listen to lots of voices that they didn’t need to hear on a busy set.

First in North America
Thankfully, I learned about Riedel’s Bolero intercom system shortly after it came out, and I wound up becoming the first person in North American scripted film and TV to buy a system. Our community had no idea Riedel existed—and Bolero solved a number of problems we had with the systems we’d been using. With access to up to seven party lines on a belt pack, it meant that we could divide conversations up in smart ways to keep unnecessary voices out of people’s heads and share information easily when it was relevant.

For example, with a party line dedicated to the “A camera” crew, we can let the camera operator, first AC and dolly grip talk as much as they want, both in rehearsal and during a take if on the fly changes are needed to save the shot—all without anyone else having to listen to them and be distracted from their own work.

However, the biggest game-changer for my crew has been the ability to use lightweight, comfortable, wireless Bluetooth earpieces and the integration of walkie channels into Bolero. Our shoot days are usually at least 12 hours long, and any extra ounce, slight discomfort or extra wire adds up over time to the body.

In addition, the ability to integrate program feed, “voice of god” (a term for the director or AD speaking to the crew over a loudspeaker or intercom) and the ability to integrate the walkie channels into Bolero is a massive relief for the crew. Now they only have to carry one device that can deliver all of their communication needs and it’s completely wireless. My camera, grip and lighting crew heads love being on Bolero. We can’t work without it now.

Many Microinefficiencies
We purchased our first Bolero system purely for me and my crew to use, regardless of whether we would ever turn a profit. It was a tool that would allow us to do our jobs better. And then, by accident, it became a comms rental business in the pandemic.

Since then, as more and more people became aware of the power of the system in our cinema style of production, it’s become very commonplace. Producers who experience a crew on Bolero for the first time love it, too, because they quickly see how hundreds of microefficiencies accumulated throughout the day more than make up for the cost of the system’s rental. Directors love it because the most limiting thing for them is time and Bolero gives them more of that.

For more information, visit www.riedel.net/en/.

LAS VEGAS—As vice president of Live Events at 4Wall Entertainment, I’ve seen first hand the evolution of intercom systems in the broadcasting and streaming industry. At 4Wall, we specialize in providing cutting-edge solutions for live events, broadcast productions, and streaming services.

Our expertise lies in creating seamless, high-quality audio-visual experiences for a wide range of clients, from major TV networks to online content creators. Integral to our operations are the intercom systems that ensure clear and reliable communication among our team members.

One intercom product we rely on heavily is the Bolero wireless intercom by Riedel Communications. We chose Bolero based on its exceptional audio quality, flexibility, and robust performance in demanding environments. Although we considered several options, Bolero stood out due to its superior technology and practical integration capabilities.

Reliable Connectivity
We utilize Bolero for a variety of purposes, including live event coordination, on-set communication during broadcasts, and managing streaming productions. The ability to communicate seamlessly across different departments ensures that our productions run smoothly, without the hiccups that can occur with inferior systems.

One of the primary challenges Bolero addresses is the need for a reliable, high-quality wireless communication system that can perform well even in crowded RF environments. In live events and broadcast settings, interference can be a significant issue, but Bolero’s advanced RF robustness and flexibility in integration mitigate this problem effectively. This reliability allows our team to focus on delivering top-notch content without worrying about communication breakdowns.

Deploying Bolero is straightforward and efficient. Its decentralized architecture supports flexible deployments, accommodating various production sizes and setups, from small studio broadcasts to large live events. The use of 4-wire ties via NSA-02s is particularly useful for connecting Bolero with existing wired intercom systems, providing a unified and streamlined communication network. This was crucial as technicians had to monitor multiple broadcast program streams during rehearsals and the live event.

One operator, Carlos Ostero, had never used Bolero prior to a recent event. Despite his lack of experience with the system, he found it incredibly easy to program and set up. The intuitive user interface and straightforward configuration enabled Carlos to get the system running without any issues—a testament to Bolero’s user-friendly design.

Our favorite Bolero features include its intuitive user interface and the ease of integrating it with other systems. The beltpacks are lightweight and user-friendly, and have plenty of battery life, which is critical for long productions. Additionally, the ability to configure the system via a web browser provides us with the flexibility to make adjustments on the fly, ensuring optimal performance.

Advanced DECT
Unique features of Bolero that have impressed us include its patented Advanced DECT receiver technology—designed to reduce sensitivity to multipath reflections—and its ability to operate in standalone mode. This allows for a highly flexible and scalable deployment, making it an ideal solution for various production environments.

One feature that pleasantly surprised us is Bolero’s NFC beltpack registration. This allows for quick and easy registration of beltpacks, which is especially useful when managing a large number of units. This feature not only saves time but also ensures we get up and running quickly, even in fast-paced environments.

Having Bolero as a tool in our arsenal is significant because it elevates the quality of our productions. Clear and reliable communication is the backbone of any successful broadcast or live event and Bolero’s performance and reliability, combined with its seamless integration capabilities, give us the confidence to push the boundaries of what we can achieve, knowing that our communication system will support us every step of the way.

Bolero has proven to be an invaluable asset to 4Wall Entertainment—its advanced features, reliability, and ease of use make it the ideal choice for our diverse range of projects. As we continue to innovate and expand our services, we know that Bolero will play a crucial role in our success, enabling us to deliver exceptional audio-visual experiences to our clients and audiences. l

For more information visit https://www.riedel.net/en/.

WUPPERTAL, Germany—To ensure that the crew of Amazon Prime Video’s “The Expanse” has reliable multichannel communications, the show’s director of photography Jeremy Benning opted to go with Riedel’s Bolero wireless intercom platform.

Prior to the addition of Bolero, individual teams on “The Expanse” crew had their own communications methods. Bolero offers a single, unified system that helps to remove miscommunications and potential delays.

Bolero is a DECT-based intercom that operates in the license-free 1.9 GHz frequency range. There are 26 beltpacks and four antennas on the set of “The Expanse.” On the set, the audio feed from the sound mixer is patched in to allow all connected departments to listen to actors’ dialog when needed. The crew also uses it to deliver announcements to the entire crew.

Bolero is also used to communicate with actors when they are in their prop space helmets. In addition, three walkie-talkie channels are patched into the Bolero system, enabling the keys to communicate with the rest of the crew.

"The ability to communicate instantly, clearly, and effectively is a critical requirement to keep any film or episodic series on schedule. We knew we needed more efficient, zero-compromise comms capabilities in today's new world, and after extensive testing and comparison with other leading systems, Bolero was hands-down the best tool for what we needed," Benning commented. "Not only does Bolero have excellent audio quality and an ultra-low noise floor, it's also super-easy to control the entire system through the intuitive user interface."

For more information, visit www.riedel.net.  

BURBANK, Calif.—Faith-based Daystar Television Network recently upgraded its communications capabilities with the addition of Riedel Communications’ Artist digital matrix system and Bolero wireless intercom, enabling clear communications between Daystar crew members at the network’s Dallas studio.

Daystar worked with the Austin, Texas-based Omega Broadcast equipment provider on this update. The installation consists of an Artist-128 mainframe that can support AES67, VoIP, Dante and analog intercom signal; 28 SmartPanel App-driven user interfaces; and 10 Bolero antennas that support 20 intercom beltpacks. Daystar also has a separate Bolero antenna in stand-alone mode to support ENG shoots.

Doug Leake, post audio and audio systems engineer at Daystar, says that the Riedel equipment has improved the floor operators’ ability to communicate with mix positions and technicians.

“The Riedel gear has opened up workflow improvements that were not possible in the past,” Leake said. “Also, with Bolero operating in the DECT range, we have gained back valuable spectrum for our growing wireless mic and in-ear transmitter needs.”

With Artist being equipped with Luminex switches, and Artist and Bolero both supporting AES67 signals, the entire Daystar system is IP-ready, which will help with Daystar’s process of establishing an IP link between its Dallas broadcast center and a studio in Jerusalem expected to come online in June, 2021.

BURBANK, Calif.—As the NBA playoffs progress down in the Orlando, Fla., bubble, a key component of production for the games has been Riedel intercom technology, including the Bolero wireless intercom and Artist digital matrix intercom systems.

Firehouse Productions has been utilizing Riedel for production personnel to communicate safely, as well as for officials and coaches.

Firehouse’s bubble setup includes 12 Riedel Artist intercom nodes, providing almost 500 active communication ports to support 113 master panels, 57 Performer C3 intercom beltpacks; 116 Bolero wireless intercom beltpacks and 186 analog four-wire connections to six onsite OB trucks.

The Artist nodes are deployed in a fully redundant fiber ring, allowing them to support users communicating via Bolero beltpacks throughout the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. In addition, Firehouse Intercom Curator Luis Espinal built custom functions into the Artist nodes that allow specific mic feeds to be routed to specific broadcast trucks.

There is also an onsite Bolero universe that is based on two fully redundant hub-and-spoke networks of Luminex switches and offers up to 128 multicast flows.

“Working with the Riedel team, we were able to design a truly elegant and integrated solution that enables crystal-clear communications while also ensuring that officials, coaches and producers maintain safe distances from each other,” said Vinny Siniscal from Firehouse Productions.

For more information, visit www.riedel.net.

WUPPERTAL, Germany—School’s back in session, and students aren’t the only ones who need to prepare for the new school year. The University of Georgia Athletic Association prepared itself for its upcoming schedule of live sport productions by expanding upon its Riedel Communications infrastructure with an updated Artist digital matrix intercom platform.

Installing a new Artist 128 mainframe in its central core, Georgia uses the system to integrate its multiple sports venues across campus to help streamline live broadcasts, live streaming, video board presentations and in-venue fan promotions. The venues covered by the Artist 128 include Sanford Stadium and Stegeman Coliseum through the central core, while the system is linked via fiber to the frames for Foley Field, Jack Turner Stadium, Turner Soccer Complex, Gabrielsen Natatorium and the William Porter Payne and Porter Otis Payne Indoor Athletic Facility.

The school is also adding a Bolero wireless intercom system with 15 beltpacks and seven antennas to replace a wired system that was used in several venues. The Bolero system can integrate directly with Artist and enables all user groups to communicate with a single system.

Georgia says that the new setup has helped specifically with men’s and women’s basketball and gymnastics, where multiple wireless channels have replaced an existing party line setup.

WUPPERTAL, Germany & MONTREAL—CBC/Radio Canada’s planned state-of-the-art Montreal headquarters, Maison de Radio-Canada, will have a touch of German in it upon completion, as Riedel Communications will supply its Artist and Bolero wired and wireless intercom systems as part of the broadcast center’s communications backbone.

The MRC, which will open in 2020, will be entirely IP-based, utilizing SMPTE ST 2110-30/31 and NMOS IS-04/05/07 standards. Riedel will assist with this by providing the Artist-1024. The latest software-defined node in the Artist series offers 1024 nonblocking ports in a 2RU frame and uses software-definable Universal Interface Cards that combine networking, mixing and management on a single card. A card can be configured to act as a SMPTE ST 2110-30/31 or MADI subscriber card, or as an Artist fiber/router/processor card. There is also the Director configuration software that allows for the changing of connectivity type and scaling up of port count.

Bolero, an AES67-based wireless intercom system that integrates with Artist for a unified wireless communications environment, will handle all wireless communications in the MRC. Bolero is a six-channel, 1.9 gigahertz system that incorporates Riedel’s Advanced DECT Receiver technology for RF environments that can create multipath reflections.

In addition, more than 250 Riedel 1200 Series SmartPanels are set to be installed at MRC. The SmartPanels are ST 2110-30/31 native and provide an app-based user interface for intercom, high-quality audio monitoring and integration of third-party control systems via the SmartPanel Control Panel app.

Riedel says that this installation will be one of the largest for Artist in North America upon completion.

BURBANK, Calif.—Riedel Communications will be on the NAB Show New York exhibit floor demonstrating Bolero, a six-channel, DECT-based wireless intercom system in the license-free 1.9 GHz frequency range. Bolero is now available as a standalone wireless solution or it can be fully Artist-integrated using a standards-based AES67 IP network.

Decentralized antennas connect to AES67 switches and then to Riedel’s Artist digital matrix intercom frames equipped with AES67 client cards, which create an integrated point-to-point intercom ecosystem with roaming capabilities. By using multiple AES67 switch cascades, Bolero can accommodate large areas and long distances. To the system, the beltpacks look like Riedel Artist panels but are wireless, which the company says provide interoperability, programmability, flexibility and user mobility. A reprogrammable FPGA future-proofs Bolero antennas by permitting upgrades for future networks.

Bolero uses a high-clarity 7 kHz voice codec to provide both higher speech intelligibility and more efficient use of RF spectrum. The company reports the codec has excellent latency characteristics providing lip sync-free communications, while offering processing efficiency, providing outstanding beltpack battery life, and saving DSP processing power for other functions. The codec produces audio clarity scores

Riedel will be on the show floor in booth N545.

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BURBANK, Calif. — The NBA’s Memphis Grizzlies has adopted Riedel’s Bolero wireless intercom system as part of a large scale upgrade and modernization of the video control room at the FedExForum, their home arena in Memphis. Bolero enables reliable AES67-based communications for the type of complex, demanding broadcast productions the Grizzlies produce at the FedExForum venue.

With Bolero’s proprietary Advanced DECT Receiver — along with Riedel’s Artist digital matrix intercom solution and SmartPanel multifunctional user interfaces — communications can be relayed across the venue from just three antenna locations.

[Read: 2018 Guide to Intercoms Now Available]

Three decentralized Bolero antennas, located at strategic points in the building, connect to AES67-compliant IP switches, and an Artist matrix intercom frame equipped with AES67 client cards, to enable wireless roaming for six Bolero belt-packs across the facility and control room. With AES67-connectivity, up to 24 additional beltpacks can be supported without further investments in antennas, and 13 wired rackmount SmartPanels and five desktop SmartPanels are used as intercom key panels.

Together, the Riedel solutions form a communications platform that drives live video and audio for broadcast, LED presentations, and AV-based marketing programs within FedExForum.

“During the initial planning stages, it was decided that a standards-based AES67 IP network would be the best solution for distributing antennas throughout the facility,” said Josh Shibler, vice president of Comprehensive Technical Group, the Atlanta-based systems integrator that managed the upgrade. “The result is an … IP infrastructure that allows Bolero to deliver outstanding sound quality from almost any location in the FedExForum.”

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