Tech Focus: Intercoms, Part 2 - What's on the Market

Tech Focus: Intercoms, Part 2 - What's on the Market Flexible, easy-to-use offerings target booming remote-production sector By Dan Daley, Audio Editor

Wednesday, February 23, 2022 - 7:01 am

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By pro-audio standards, intercoms constitute a small market sector, but it's a critical one - and, in the age of supercharged REMI productions, an increasingly competitive one. Here's a look at the latest offerings from the market leaders.

Pliant Technologies Pliant Technologies CrewCom CB2 wireless intercom

The CrewCom wireless intercom system features full-duplex wireless radio packs and extreme range, with multiple RF access points that connect via copper (100 m) or fiber (10 km). CrewCom wireless products are available in 2.4 GHz and 900 MHz models (the latter are limited to where this band is legal). Any combination of these frequency bands may be used simultaneously on the same CrewCom system, providing the ability to put RF coverage where needed while deploying a consistent user interface throughout the system. For larger applications, CrewCom offers a significant price advantage over the cost of deploying multiple wireless users in a production.

Pliant's newest wireless intercom offering, CrewCom CB2, available in 2.4 GHz and 900 MHz, offers the same proven CrewCom wireless technology while also providing ease of use and high-level performance at an affordable price point for a full-featured intercom system. CB2's straightforward design makes it fast and easy to set up but powerful enough for full-time professionals. With CB2, it's now possible to have up to six full-duplex wireless users on one system or to easily add a second system for up to 12 users without compromising audio quality or coverage.

Pliant's MicroCom XR digital wireless intercom system provides full-duplex, multi-user intercom for applications where high-quality audio, extended range, and affordability are essential. The system is a robust two-channel intercom system available in 2.4 GHz and 900 MHz and features ease of use, extended range, and the ability to have up to 10 full-duplex users and unlimited listeners, providing flexibility for a range of applications. www.plianttechnologies.com/

Riedel Riedel Bolero beltpack

Artist digital-matrix audio and intercom ecosystem handles a wide range of audio formats: AES3, AES67 (including SMPTE ST 2110-30/31), AVB, Dante, VoIP, and analog. The system consists of a fiber-based backbone providing a decentralized infrastructure for live audio and intercoms with matrix sizes up to 1024 1024 ports in just 2RU. Multiple frames can be interconnected via dual optical-fiber rings to form a single large, full-summing, non-blocking distributed matrix that looks like one system to the user. The Director configuration software is easy to use and boasts the industry's fastest upload times, according to Riedel.

Bolero is a full-roaming, DECT-based wireless intercom system in the license-free 1.9 GHz frequency range. Fully integrated into the Artist digital-matrix intercom or used as standalone, Bolero offers robust features that can be applied as a wireless beltpack, a wireless keypanel, or a two-way radio. New technologies power Bolero's capabilities: an Advanced DECT Receiver (ADR) for multipath tolerance improvement and near-field communication (NFC) for easy, Touch&Go beltback registration. Bolero also features six channels, Bluetooth connectivity, and nearly 18 hours of battery life. Three network modes are available for Bolero systems, each dedicated to specific applications:

Bolero Integrated leverages the Artist infrastructure, including SmartPanels and extensive I/O connectivity.

Bolero Standalone Link provides plug-and-play simplicity especially suited to smaller installations, portable deployments, or cases when Bolero needs to be interfaced to other systems without the need for an Artist matrix.

Bolero Standalone 2110 (AES67) enables users to set up a standards-based (SMPTE ST 2110/AES67) IP network with no Artist required.

For additional usability, the newly released TARN is an ultra-lightweight in-ear headset for demanding environments that require maximum intelligibility and a secure fit. The noise-canceling microphone offers a secure clip-on mic-boom and an XLR connector.

The 1200 Series SmartPanels feature multiple full-color multitouch displays, innovative hybrid-lever keys, the ability to leverage apps for multifunctionality, and easy adaptability to the various workflows in use today. Uniting powerful intercom, control, and audio-monitoring functionalities in a single keypanel, the 1200 Series SmartPanels deliver a combination of capabilities that empowers users while saving valuable rack or desk space. Besides the 2RU RSP-1232HL with 32 lever keys and stereo speakers, a 1RU version is available: the RSP-1216HL comes with the same feature set as its big brother but with 16 lever keys and one full-range speaker. All 1200 Series SmartPanels natively support AES67, including SMPTE ST 2110-30/31, and can be connected to the host network via Fiber SFP or Copper RJ45 connections. There are actually two Fiber SFP cages and two copper RJ45 connections, offering a variety of daisy-chaining and redundancy options allowing cabling flexibility. www.riedel.net/en/

RTS RTS DBP wired beltpack

The new DBP four-channel/four-button wired beltpack runs on PoE (802.3af and 802.3at) and connects using OMNEO IP technology (Dante, AES70, and more). Its hybrid design supports both digital partyline and matrix keypanel modes: for use as a digital partyline device, DBP connects to an OMS; for use as a portable keypanel, including functionality like point-to-point communication, DBP can be connected to any RTS digital/IP matrix product using OMNEO, including OMI cards in ADAM/ADAM-M frames or OMNEO

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