Posted by Richard Crowley on 06/06/06 23:58

"John" wrote ...
> "Richard Crowley" wrote in message >
>> Cover ALL switches, adjustments with tape before
>> it gets to the "talent"! Else you will be sorry.
>
> Are you saying the talents like to mess with the switches, or just
> accidentally bump them?

Both.

> If they like to mess with the switches, the only motivation I can think of
> is they want their privacy when not on air.

More frequently, IME, is that they just want to help me "save
the battery". Which would be fine if they remembered to switch
it back on in time.

> In that case, if you tape all the switches, they will use other means to
> disable the mic, like unplug the mic. As long as they re-enable the mic
> when on-air, they could be allowed to use the mute switch, right?

I have *NEVER* known talent to "remember" to re-enable the
mic when it was needed. My experience ranges from illegal aliens
who don't speak English to the CEOs of Fortune 100 companies
and University presidents.

When I put a mic on someone, I monitor the AF and RF (visually)
and if either of them fail (before airtime) I know I have enough time
to fix the problem. If they wait until the last minute to switch-on, I'm
frequently screwed. If they don't trust me to not "snoop" on them
when they aren't "on", then they can hire someone they trust better.
I frequently run a one-man band (or I'm using unskilled helpers) and
I don't have the luxury of having someone I can depend on to tend
the wireless mics as the talent gets ready to speak.

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