With an event like the NBA All-Star Game, production staff must carefully coordinate all wireless technologies to ensure their frequencies do not interfere with one another. To this end, PWS began strategizing its frequency coordination for the NBA All-Star Game weeks before the actual game. “The NBA is extremely proactive in regards to RF communications and we work closely with them leading up to the All-Star weekend so we are well-prepared going in,” says Brooks Schroeder of PWS. “Once we actually got on site, we were able to move users around the spectrum as needed to ensure things operated smoothly without interruption.”

The PWS team was responsible for managing close to 500 frequencies at the Toyota Center in Houston, a large television market with a heavily saturated spectrum. Facing this reduced amount of spectrum space, PWS took extra care to stay on top of all users to ensure they were working within the guidelines.

For the All-Star Game, the NBA provided an in-house 2.4GHZ Wi-Fi system. PWS was tasked with coordinating and managing the system — tracking down uncoordinated and rogue devices to help maintain good signal and data flow. Once located and identified, the individuals or clients who were out of compliance were asked to shut down or move to an acceptable Wi-Fi channel.

In addition to frequency coordination, PWS collaborated with Quantum Q5X to manage the player microphones for the All-Star Game. Quantum Q5X provided its QT-5000 microphone system, which users can control remotely and wirelessly. Sewn into the jerseys of eight of the players, the rechargeable, flexible and customized QT-5000 transmitters allowed game broadcasters to build packages that could be rolled into the game, and provided audio for NBA Films productions to use for archival purposes and any future shows. The rubberized, flexible, water-and-sweat-resistant QT-5000 body pack will not injure the player even if he falls on it or takes a direct hit. John Garrido from PWS and Quantum Q5X’s Mark Donkers managed the system together.

The antenna system utilized for the player mics was the PWS Domed Helical. The antenna combines the highly successful circular polarization configuration pioneered by the original PWS Helical, but with the unit sealed within a unique new compact “domed” design. This provides robust, uncompromised multichannel wireless microphone, in-ear and intercom wireless connectivity. Constructed from rugged polycarbonate, PWS’s Domed Helical is designed to hold up to considerable road-related abuse.

“The NBA All-Star Game and associated events are always challenging for us, but our team has extensive experience in coordinating large events and does a fantastic job,” adds Jim Van Winkle, general manager of PWS. “We look forward to working on this event each year.”

Quantum5X Systems Inc. (Q5X®) a global leader in innovative wireless microphone systems and technologies has been nominated for a Technical Achievement Award by the membership of the Cinema Audio Society for the development and successful deployment of the Q5X® TapshoeMic
With a decade of technical excellence as a foundation, and a history of making the world’s smallest, most durable, wireless transmitters work in extreme conditions, Q5X® launched the TapshoeMic in 2009 in response to a request from New York based Radio City Music Hall (RCMH). The request was simple… but the solution was complex… help RCMH convey the true sound of tap dancing from the shoe, rather than emulate sounds synthetically, or use stage floor based systems.
“The challenge originally seemed overwhelming” states Allen Kool, Founder and President, “But we had already proven the durability of our core systems in the world of sports, with success… we just had to think outside the box… or in this case, inside the heel.” The result is an integrated wireless transmitter and mic system, controlled remotely by the equally technical Remote Control Audio System (RCAS), completely and seamlessly engineered into the heel of the client’s tap shoe inventory.
According to Paul Johnson, CEO… “When the renowned Rockettes Christmas Spectacular is staged, the world watches, and we simply cannot have any issues with the mechanical installations, the audio fidelity, or remote control… to date, the Q5X® TapshoeMicTM and the Remote Control Audio System (RCAS) have performed nearly as well as the dancers!”
About Quantum5X Systems Inc. (Q5X®)
Quantum5X Systems Inc. is an award winning, wireless audio solutions provider responsible for creating leading edge, wireless audio solutions for global broadcast, sport and entertainment companies. With breakthrough wireless microphone products like the QT 256®, the waterproof QT 256 AquaMic, the QT 1000 PlayerMic® and many others, Quantum5X Systems Inc. counts many leading entertainment and sports enterprises as clients including the NBA, MLB, NFL and Radio City Music Hall. Networks like Fox Sports, NBC, CBS, ESPN, Comcast, Turner and many others consider Q5X® the source for durable, dependable wireless audio technology.

London and Toronto, Canada, January 2013… Two award-winning Canadian audio technology leaders have announced a strategic development partnership.

Holophone®, originators of multi-channel surround sound microphones, and Quantum5X Systems Inc. (Q5X®), creators of leading edge professional broadcast quality wireless audio solutions, have joined together to develop a new standard in handheld wireless microphone systems.

The upcoming NAMM 2013 in Anaheim will mark the debut of the first of three upcoming single channel wireless systems, featuring Holophone’s new customizable handheld Super C super cardioid condenser mic. Holophone’s new single channel microphones feature the same proprietary capsule design employed in the company’s acclaimed surround sound mics, including the award-winning H2-PRO®, the world-class standard for concert sound, broadcast, film, and music recording.

Q5X® is the preeminent manufacturer of professional broadcast quality wireless systems designed for the most demanding sports and live event productions. The new wireless systems will integrate Holophone’s cutting edge line of high-quality, customizable handheld microphones with Q5X’s acclaimed high broadcast quality radio frequency technologies, to create a state of the art, audiophile quality wireless system delivering unparalleled sound, performance, and show-stopping looks.

“We are pleased and delighted to announce this partnership,” remarked Q5X® President and Founder Allen Kool. “Holophone® is world renowned for their groundbreaking surround sound audio systems, and this alliance builds on the strengths of both companies’ technologies. Together we will be significantly raising the bar for sonic quality and performance for wireless microphone systems.”

“Q5X® is the only wireless technology manufacturer that can meet Holophone’s exacting standards for sound quality, and we’re excited by the potential of this alliance,” added Holophone® President and Founder Michael Godfrey. “This is a great opportunity for both our companies, but more importantly, it’s an exciting time for audio professionals. This is the new standard in custom wireless systems.”

Holophone® and Q5X® will showcase the first of several handheld single channel systems in Booth 5399 in Hall B at the NAMM show in Anaheim, California January 24-27, 2013. A series of remote control wireless microphone systems will be introduced at the NAB Show, Booth C2839 Central Hall in Las Vegas April 8-11, 2013.