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yesterday, i was backstage when i saw an old, but never used califone set.  i’ve known it was there.  i have to move it every time i reach for the “bin of brokenness” (clear rubbermaid tub of faulty cables).  but this time i had stored in my sub-conscious my growing need for a clear-com system.  when i picked up the box i thought… man, there’s 10 perfectly good sets of headphones.  so, i opened it and put a pair on.  they fit snug and the noise cancellation was fairly decent.  then i noticed the set came with a hub for the set of 10 headphones which had a 1/4″ source connector.  so, i started rummaging for other spare parts.  i know, i know…. bubbles.  but this time my a.d.d. moment paid off big as one hour later… i had a crystal clear clear-com system… for no money.  i am so serious.  i think this is one of my proudest mcgyver moments ever.

so, you want to know how?  (i know you are all on the edge of your seat.  but, i’m going to tell you anyway. just humor me, i’m really proud of this. )

ok. this is what i did.  fyi, we have a yamaha pm2500 sound board.

listening set up:

1. i came out of an available matrix channel on the board with an xlr cable into a rolls pm50s personal monitor amp.
2. i plugged the 1/4″ cable on the califone hub into the rolls pm50s headphone jack.  this provided the pre-amp and power for the hub.
3. i used additional 1/4″ cable and adapters to extend headphone cords to needed length.

talk set-up:

1. i used the wireless mic we use for recording audio to video.  i just ran the mic signal to a channel the board as if i were using it for the house mix.  i could add a few  wired mics on stage as well if i ever need someone stationed backstage.  a mic you can turn off and on is really helpful as you can kill the open channel when you are not talking.
2. i sent the signal from my mic “clear-com” channels to an available sub-group.
3. i sent the sub-group to the matrix but not to the stereo channel on the board to keep it out of our house mix.
4. i turned all the sub-group knobs down on the “clear-com” matrix channel except for the “clear-com” sub-group.
5. i went through other matrix channels and turned “clear-com” sub-group down as not to send our clear-com banter to the nursing mother’s room, house recording, and so forth.
6. viola!  strong signal… and crystal clear.

now, i had all of this stuff laying around.  but, this is how much it would cost if i were to buy the pieces to build this:

1. comparable califone system new: $188
   but, i found one on ebay that sold for: $69.99
2. 1 xlr cable: $15 (i didn’t have very far to go – longer the cable, higher the price.)
3. rolls pm50s personal monitor amp: $50.00 (this goes before the califone hub so only one is needed no matter how many stations you use.)
4. 1/4″ cable – i used about 60′ for 2 stations:  $20.00 ea. ($40)
5. I had to use 2-1/4″ mono-f to mono-f adapters: $3 ea. ($6)  (this is what i had on hand… though i might consider buying some of these instead to reduce the number of links in the chain that could degrade the signal.)
6. microphones:  this sennheiser is modestly priced and has an on/off switch: $55.00 (but use whatever you have)
7. TOTAL:  about $250 for two listening stations and one talk station. (price of adding additional listening stations is in 1/4′ cable only.  additional talk stations require cable and mic.)  this is about the price for each head set in a true clear-com system.
   

downsides… this system is definitely not a perfect clear-com system.  but it will do in a pinch.  here are the disadvantages i forsee.

1. not everyone will be able to talk due to mic availability.  but the key positions can talk easily by simply picking up a mic.  not perfect, or as convenient as true, two-way clear-com, but it works.
2. eq, trim and faders all play a role in volume and clarity and are not conveniently located for video producer to adjust in a live environment without disturbing the foh guy.  however, it really shouldn’t require any adjustment once set up.
3. there’s no individual volume control.  but on the other hand everyone hears the same thing so whoever is talking can gauge their volume accordingly since they are hearing the same thing everyone else is.  i’ve been nearly deafened on true clear-com systems due to the differences in everyone’s volume adjustments.
4. the headsets are made of heavy plastic, but plastic none the less. so they will have to be handled gingerly from week to week.  but they fit snugly, are washable and do a fairly decent job of noise cancellation.  plus, they are cheap and easily replaceable.  sound quality is irrelevant – clarity is my only concern and they are clear as a bell.

i’m so thankful that part of god’s provision for us is giving us really creative ways to solve problems.  it makes life more interesting, i think.

what really creative ideas has god given you?
what is your greatest mcgyver moment?