Ultimate Airport recorded with Lectrosonics
Published: MEA
UAE: Dubai-based cameraman and soundman, Tom Savage, used Digital Hybrid Wireless technology from Lectrosonics for his work on the second series of National Geographic Channel’s Ultimate Airport Dubai produced by Arrow International Media.
‘For this show, I was working with four Lectrosonics UM400a beltpack transmitters plus one HM plug-on transmitter and, for receivers, I was using the company’s SR Series dual channel slot-mount ENG units. For the most part, we used an average of four channels for any given day of shooting,’ recalled Mr Savage. ‘The Lectrosonics equipment has been absolutely brilliant with their range and quality of sound during this project. Providing clear audio while working in and around a bustling airport with a countless number of obstacles to contend with is no small challenge, and my Lectrosonics gear handles it all really well. With all the planes taking off and landing, trucks, construction work, and numerous other obstacles that routinely come between the transmitter and receiver, I’ve been really impressed with how easy the equipment is to use and the audio quality I’ve been capturing.’
Mr Savage is also impressed with the equipment’s durability. ‘We work among some pretty extreme temperature variables with really high humidity – frequently near 95 per cent – and the gear never blinks,’ he stated. ‘This equipment also takes its fair share of knocks. It routinely gets bumped when passengers run up and down the stairs, jump in and out of cars, and so forth. I find this equipment light and easy to use, which makes all the difference when you’re working in this type of environment.
‘My experience with Lectrosonics’ customer and technical support services in the US has been brilliant,’ he continued. ‘Their staff are very easy to work with, knowledgeable, responsive, and very professional. I once had to get my HM transmitter repaired and the representative for the Middle East and Africa went out of his way to put me in contact with the “the mother ship” so I could get my transmitter working again. I was really impressed.
‘I’ve been using Lectrosonics for four years and have had a very positive experience,’ concluded Mr Savage. ‘Being able to deal with extreme heat, humidity, sand, dust and other conditions for months on end for over 12 hours a day without even a glitch is no small accomplishment. The gear sounds great, is incredibly reliable, and I couldn’t be happier with the service and the professionalism I’ve encountered from the company.’