Lectrosonics Helps Document Life After People
Military base location presents numerous RF challenges
Ty Chu with his Lectrosonics gear on site for the History Channel.
Phoenix, AZ – July 2011… What
might happen to our surroundings if people were to suddenly vanish from the
face of the Earth? That’s the premise of Life After People, a new series
on the History Channel. As each day, month, and year passes, the fate of a particular
environment is examined. It’s hypothetical, of course, but the use of
special effects, combined with interviews from top experts in the fields of
engineering, botany, biology, geology, and archeology provides an unforgettable
visual experience. For one particular episode, much of the information gathered
for the program was accomplished through interviews—many of which took
place on a military base. With a plethora of radio frequencies in the environment,
capturing the audio with wireless microphones turned out to be a real learning
experience, but it all came together—thanks to wireless technology from
Rio Rancho, NM-based Lectrosonics.
Ty Chu is a Phoenix-based location sound recording engineer involved with the
Life After People project. A well established audio professional with a solid
track record in the areas of documentaries and independent features, Chu’s
credits include Monsters Inside Me on Animal Planet and The Universe’s
Biggest Blasts on the History Channel. While he’s encountered plenty of
difficult scenarios during his 6+ years in the business, the challenges of working
among a congested military RF environment was a true eye opener. Fortunately,
his entire arsenal of SMDa Super-Miniature, SMa Super-Miniature, and HM plug-on
transmitters all employ Lectrosonics’ highly acclaimed Digital Hybrid
Wireless® technology, as do his UCR411a compact receivers.
“Between the air traffic, radar towers, and a multitude of other communication
signals, the RF environment was positively stifling,” Chu reports. “This
was, without question, the most difficult RF area I have ever encountered. But
I have to tell you, Lectrosonics pulled through for me and provided no dropouts—even
though my whole band was taken up by military RF. The spectrum analyzer in my
four UCR411a’s helped out tremendously.”
Chu uses four SMDa transmitters, two SMa transmitters, and most recently, acquired
Lectrosonics’ new HM plug-on transmitter for use with his UCR411a receivers.
He discussed the attributes of his equipment that impress him the most. “First
and foremost, the sound quality of the Lectrosonics equipment is what makes
all the difference,” says Chu. “The company’s Digital Hybrid
Wireless technology yields much higher dynamic range—without the sonic
artifacts— than wireless systems using a compandor are able to offer.
For all intents and purposes, the audio quality is on par with a wired microphone.”
“Secondly,” he continued, “the build quality and the product’s
overall engineering are exceptional. I’ve used this equipment in the desert
where the heat reached 115 degrees Fahrenheit and I’ve had the same gear
out in the snow and the rain. Nothing seems to bother it. The LCD displays and
the membrane switches on my transmitters, for example, are easy to read and
sealed so that dirt and moisture really can’t damage the electronics.
Further, the housings are all custom machined out of metal and, in the case
of my SMDa’s and SMa’s, their compact size makes them easy to conceal
them on the talent. In the heat of the moment, no other transmitters allow for
a quick change of frequencies on the fly with such an easy-to-use menu system.
Its details like these that inspire confidence.”
In Chu’s line of work, responsive customer and technical support services
are critical. Here too, he had nothing but praise. “On those rare occasions
when I needed assistance,” he said, “I was able to pick up the phone
and get a technician who understood my issue. The company’s support staff
understands the applications for their products, so you get useful answers as
opposed to someone who’s simply reading a canned response. Lectrosonics’
support is nothing short of outstanding when it’s needed, which is very
rare.”
As he prepared for another day out in the field, Chu offered this parting thought,
“In my line of work, nothing compares to Lectrosonics. The sound quality
is excellent and the gear is built to endure the rigors of this type of work.
I really can’t imagine using anything else.”
On March 10th, 2011, Lucky 7 Location Sound is proud to annouce that all of our gear will be powered by Solar Power.
We are using 54 watt Mono Crystalline solar panels to charge Lithium Phosphate and Agm Batteries,
which in turn charge all batteries for Lucky 7 Location Sound.
We will no longer need power outlets from the grid, unless of weather conditions. We will be able to operate for 10 days without sun or power from the
grid. Lucky 7 Location Sound is proud to make its contribution to a cleaner world by using solar powered resources.
Lucky 7 Location Sound is first to offer Renewable Energy for Location Sound.
Location Sound Mixer Phoenix Arizona
Production Sound Mixer Phoenix
Location Sound Recordist
602-614-7215
Documentaries, Features, Commercials
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Phoenix, Arizona 602.614.7215
Los Angeles, California 213.973.8298
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Production Sound Mixer
Greater Phoenix Areas.
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