Masque Sound’s PWS to Roll Out Wireless Closed-circuit Music Box
May 26, 2005 8:00 AM
Professional Wireless Systems (PWS), a Masque Sound company, is enjoying growing success with Music Box, a unique portable, wireless closed-circuit radio station. Originally developed for Feld Entertainment touring shows including “Disney On Ice” and “Ringling Bros. Circus,” the updated Music Box model will service a range of sporting, corporate, house of worship, government, and educational needs.
Music Box provides synchronized high-quality audio to virtually any point in a venue. Masque Sound vice president Geoff Shearing reports company plans for a national rollout and comments, “Our PWS division has achieved remarkable results with this innovative technology. We are confident that it has many potential applications including sporting, corporate, house of worship, and educational events.”
Consisting of a compact central transmitter placed near the FOH mixing console and a number of small “satellite” briefcase units containing receiver, power amplifier, and directional antenna, the simple yet powerful system eliminates the need for cables and can be set up virtually anywhere.
Developed and refined during extensive field operation, Music Box combines a simple concept with high-end technology. “We utilize Pelican brand cases, and include an EV 7100, 2-channel 100W amp along with Sennheiser Evolution G2 wireless receiver,” explains PWS associate Jason Eskew. “We then modify the transmitter with an RF amplifier that takes it up to the maximum legal limit, to provide a broadcast-quality mono or stereo signal virtually anywhere audio is required.”
“Each satellite briefcase is fitted with a cooling fan and a recessed male Edison plug for connection to standard AC wall outlets or power strips, via extension cord,” Eskew notes. “Two XLR jacks are used to connect a pair of speakers, and a directional antenna is mounted within the box, which is aimed toward the front of house position. Everything inside the case is shock mounted in foam to make a truly roadworthy package. A transmitter at the FOH feeds with the … program audio through an RF amp—it’s that simple.”
The PWS transmitter located at FOH feeds music programming to the Music Boxes. Each box is a self-contained unit with a receiver tuned to the central transmitter via a directional antenna capable of pulling a signal hundreds of feet through concrete walls and related interference. The PWS design team included a power amp and connectors and even etched a bold arrow on the units to illustrate which way to point them toward the stage.
PWS incorporates the latest wireless technology for system upgrades, including a high-quality in-ear system. “We’re currently using G2s because they are frequency-agile,” PWS President James Stoffo. “We have a couple of hundred units out there, and each venue has anywhere from 10 to 24 receiver boxes, enabling them to install remote audio wherever necessary. All they have to do is plug in our Music Box, point it in the right direction, and connect the speakers, and they have excellent audio quality which is well within the FCC’s power output limitations.”
For more information on the updated Music Box, visit www.professionalwireless.com.
