PROFESSIONAL PLACEMENT; RESEARCHING INTO THE KIT

Whilst still completing my placement, i have been introduced to a number of different pieces of equipment that i had not used/heard of before and therefore wanted to look into more.

1) Audio and Vision Mixers - this was something i had heard of before, but haven't ever used. Originally and simply i thought that these just edited the audio and vision together, but i found out on my placement that this was not the case. An audio mixer can amplify incoming signals which allows the volume to be switched up or down and most importantly, it allows for multiple audio signals to be layered together correctly enabling for a smooth sound. For example when a piece of music is layered with the audio of someone speaking. A vision mixer is a piece of equipment that is used to select between a range of different video sources; for example this is most important with any form of live event that a multi-camera set up is being used. Within the event i was at with Sound Credit; they were webcasting a presentation event for a french banking company, therefore they were using about 3 cameras in order to cover the entire stage that the presentation was set on. Within this the mixer would be useful as it would allow the director to move between cameras as the people on stage move around, allowing for the best coverage.


2) Speakon Cables - this was a term that i hadn't ever heard of before, I first heard it when i was at my first event with Sound Credit and then when i was back helping in their warehouse for a few days i asked a few questions about what is was. A speakon cable is used to connect a power amplifier to a loudspeaker, because of this they are most commonly paired with XLR cables, for example XLR cables may be plugged into the piece of equipment that will be recording the sound and going into the mixer, and the speakon cable will be used to amplify the sound to be heard through a loudspeaker. Most commonly used for live events with many speakers being used, a speakon cable comes with 2 main advantages of use over any other type of audio cable. Firstly, a speakon cable can take a very high current and therefore be used for a lot more high voltage events with lots of big speakers etc, secondly most of the cable comes with what is called a 'twist and lock' connection by which you secure the cable into the amplifier/speaker by locking it in, therefore the chance of disconnection is very low.



3) PPU; Portable Production Unit - In essence this is the main component of a live studio production, its portable and designed to easily fit into the back of a van to allow for quick movement from production to production. Standards PPU's can run up to 12 cameras; using a digital video switcher. Connecting with the audio and vision mixers allowing both to run out for a smooth transition.