It’s time for an InfoComm debrief, as returning guest Elliott Carroll joins Andy and Sean to compare notes on what he and Andy saw during their recent trip to Orlando for this year’s InfoComm trade show. This episode is sponsored by Allen & Heath and RCF.

As Andy puts it, it was the year of big wireless in small packages — so much of the show was about putting eyes and ears on the latest offerings from Shure, Sennheiser, and Sound Devices, but there was also a lot to check out in terms of spatial audio, new software and hardware updates from Allen & Heath, and much more!

Episode Links:
Allen & Heath Qu Series
Sound Devices Astral
Sennheiser Spectera
Shure ANX4
Lectrosonics DSSM and M2 Duet
Pliant Technologies
d&b audiotechnik Create.Control
TiMax Spatial
L-Acoustics DJ
Episode 298 Transcript

Connect with the community on the Signal To Noise Facebook Group and Discord Server. Both are spaces for listeners to create to generate conversations around the people and topics covered in the podcast — we want your questions and comments!

Also please check out and support The Roadie Clinic, Their mission is simple. “We exist to empower & heal roadies and their families by providing resources & services tailored to the struggles of the touring lifestyle.”

The Signal To Noise Podcast on ProSoundWeb is co-hosted by pro audio veterans Andy Leviss and Sean Walker.

Want to be a part of the show? If you have a quick tip to share, or a question for the hosts, past or future guests, or listeners at home, we’d love to include it in a future episode. You can send it to us one of two ways:

1) If you want to send it in as text and have us read it, or record your own short audio file, send it to signal2noise@prosoundweb.com with the subject “Tips” or “Questions”

2) If you want a quick easy way to do a short (90s or less) audio recording, go to https://www.speakpipe.com/S2N and leave us a voicemail there

In Episode 297, it’s all about safe listening levels, hearing protection and more, as Sean and Andy talk to three of the folks behind the Healthy Ears, Limited Annoyance Initiative (HELA) about all things loud (but not too loud)! This episode is sponsored by Allen & Heath and RCF.

Returning guest Laura Sinnott, AuD is joined by Jon Burton and Jos Mulder to explain where HELA came from, its purpose, and much more. From World Health Organization standards for live event audio to which generic fit earplugs to recommend to friends, there’s a ton of great info in this jam-packed hour.

Healthy Ears, Limited Annoyance is a non-profit group of industry and academic specialists in audio, acoustics, and more, offering training and certification about the benefits of responsible sound management.

Created in response to research conducted by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Audio Engineering Society (AES), and hosted by the Electro-Acoustics Research Lab (EARLab), University of Derby, UK, HELA offers training and certification for everyone involved in the live event sector, from bar managers and security staff to sound technicians and concert promoters. It’s designed to provide a clear understanding of the benefits of having a responsible sound management plan for audiences, staff and neighbors.

HELA supports venues of all sizes, from grassroots to large-scale events, in creating positive relationships with their audiences as well as surrounding communities. Topics covered include the Fundamentals Of Sound, Noise Pollution, Sound Level Limits, Personal Hearing Protection, Management & Communication, Audience Expectations, Venue Design and more.

Episode Links:
Healthy Ears, Limited Annoyance Initiative (HELA) FAQs
WHO Global Standard For Safe Listening Venues & Events
ASI Audio 3DME Active-Ambient Technology
Etymotic Research ER20XS Earplugs
Curvd Everyday Earplugs
Laura Sinnott, AuD: Choosing Earplugs, Loop Earplugs Review, Curvd Earplugs Review
STN Episode 177: Hearing Health Matters
STN Episode 152: Dr. Heather Malyuk, Soundcheck Audiology – “All Ears Are Famous”
Episode 297 Transcript

AES Papers:
Education and Certification in Sound Pressure Level Measurement, Monitoring and Management at Entertainment Events
Sound Level Monitoring at Live Events, Part 1– Live Dynamic Range
Sound Level Monitoring at Live Events, Part 2 — Regulations, Practices, and Preferences
Sound Level Monitoring at Live Events, Part 3 — Improved Tools and Procedures

In episode 296, Sean and Andy are joined by Garrett Doran, Sean’s director of operations at Audio Engineers Northwest, to get more perspective on how to get hired as a freelancer in the live audio industry. Garrett shares what he looks for in a resume and/or interview, how to impress a sound company you’re new to, and – just as importantly – what sorts of things are immediate red flags for a company like theirs!

They also dig into strategies for keeping the small to medium size festival gigs that are the summer bread-and-butter for many audio providers running smoothly, from keeping lines of comm open to running a smooth and fast sound check, as well as why the patch tech should be the best mixer on your team!

Episode Links:
Episode 241 – Richard Cadena, Electricity for the Entertainment Electrician & Technician
Episode 296 Transcript

Connect with the community on the Signal To Noise Facebook Group and Discord Server. Both are spaces for listeners to create to generate conversations around the people and topics covered in the podcast — we want your questions and comments!

Also please check out and support The Roadie Clinic, Their mission is simple. “We exist to empower & heal roadies and their families by providing resources & services tailored to the struggles of the touring lifestyle.”

The Signal To Noise Podcast on ProSoundWeb is co-hosted by pro audio veterans Andy Leviss and Sean Walker.

Want to be a part of the show? If you have a quick tip to share, or a question for the hosts, past or future guests, or listeners at home, we’d love to include it in a future episode. You can send it to us one of two ways:

1) If you want to send it in as text and have us read it, or record your own short audio file, send it to signal2noise@prosoundweb.com with the subject “Tips” or “Questions”

2) If you want a quick easy way to do a short (90s or less) audio recording, go to https://www.speakpipe.com/S2N and leave us a voicemail there