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Gear / Technical Help => Ask The Tapers => Topic started by: SDM71 on January 19, 2022, 01:23:21 PM

Title: Hearing Loops at venues
Post by: SDM71 on January 19, 2022, 01:23:21 PM
Doing some research ref: my next show (May, originally scheduled for Nov 2020), assuming I'm going to have to stealth, but looking for indications of the likelihood of the venue policy overruling the band, etc, which led me to the site FAQ.

Which reads

Quote
ACCESSIBILITY

DO YOU HAVE A HEARING LOOP?

We have a radio frequency hearing system here at the Arena that, where possible, is fed from a direct feed from the toured sound desk. You can chose to connect to a neck-worn induction loop or headphones. If you would like to use the system please head to our Reception Desk in the foyer. We charge a £20 deposit for the hearing loop equipment which will be refunded upon its return.

Soundboard feed?  That would simplify things a lot  :) but clearly a pair of headphones will have no line out, and there's no guarantee that the venue's necklace option will have a 3.5mm out (although it seems possible and I will ask).

My question to you fine folk is around the potential to record the RF signal.  In theory it must require a radio tuned to the right frequency and a connected recorder.  Plus no radio interference and knowing/finding the frequency.  Has anyone explored this route in any detail before?

Title: Re: Hearing Loops at venues
Post by: capnhook on January 19, 2022, 06:07:00 PM

Wow man, you waited EIGHT YEARS to ask this question, and THIS is your first post??

Something doesn't smell right about this guy....

(https://i.postimg.cc/gJQ47rTz/Eight-years.jpg)
Title: Re: Hearing Loops at venues
Post by: seethreepo on January 19, 2022, 07:57:08 PM
SAF!

Sketchy as Fuck!
Title: Re: Hearing Loops at venues
Post by: SDM71 on January 20, 2022, 03:32:35 AM
I understand joking "concern", but not "sketchy as fuck".

This site has been a great resource for me occasionally over those years - I'm not a regular taper (maybe a couple of dozen shows), so I would have dipped in when in the market for equipment (currently Sony M10, previously iRiver H140). 

I didn't see any references in any of the "read first" posts to any kind of entrance exam to posting, or a statute of limitations on posting - perhaps you two could point me in the right direction...?  You both took around a year to make your first posts - is that the sweet spot?

Finally - had I joined yesterday and posted the above, would that be MORE "sketchy as fuck" or less?
Title: Re: Hearing Loops at venues
Post by: capnhook on January 20, 2022, 05:05:19 AM
Welcome to taperssection, human.  We try to keep the trash to a minimum around here.  :smash:
Title: Re: Hearing Loops at venues
Post by: datbrad on January 20, 2022, 08:23:04 AM
Perhaps the OP is not aware that IEM, ALS, and other "hacks" are more taboo to discuss openly here than stealth audience recording. It's been so long since this site and etree were first started by tapers who only record artists with permission using full size rigs, that the value of that distinction to those who abide by artists wishes is no longer widely understood. Every now and then we have to remind folks that the core base of tapers who pioneered this community are very protective of their moral authority to stand behind the argument that there is a very clear distinction between sanctioned audience tapers and those who tape artists who specifically state a no-recording policy in their contract riders sent to venues. Any tapers who have years, even decades of experiences with self appointed bootleg cops in the audience who try to lecture them about their "crime" and have to repel them with a solid argument for why it's not bootlegging understand fully why stealth tapers and IEM leeches only undermine those of us who are open tapers. I have stealth taped many times when an uptight venue forced that method, but only for artists who are ok with fans taping but they won't interfere with venue policies. The OP should know it's not personal when the topics he's raised here are so swiftly pounced on.
Title: Re: Hearing Loops at venues
Post by: SDM71 on January 20, 2022, 11:00:13 AM
Perhaps the OP is not aware that IEM, ALS, and other "hacks" are more taboo to discuss openly here than stealth audience recording. It's been so long since this site and etree were first started by tapers who only record artists with permission using full size rigs, that the value of that distinction to those who abide by artists wishes is no longer widely understood. Every now and then we have to remind folks that the core base of tapers who pioneered this community are very protective of their moral authority to stand behind the argument that there is a very clear distinction between sanctioned audience tapers and those who tape artists who specifically state a no-recording policy in their contract riders sent to venues. Any tapers who have years, even decades of experiences with self appointed bootleg cops in the audience who try to lecture them about their "crime" and have to repel them with a solid argument for why it's not bootlegging understand fully why stealth tapers and IEM leeches only undermine those of us who are open tapers. I have stealth taped many times when an uptight venue forced that method, but only for artists who are ok with fans taping but they won't interfere with venue policies. The OP should know it's not personal when the topics he's raised here are so swiftly pounced on.

Thank you.  I accept the education.  I was aware of some of the tension between open / stealth, but had failed to grasp the intensity.
Title: Re: Hearing Loops at venues
Post by: hoserama on January 20, 2022, 12:20:40 PM
ALD recordings are very persnickety. There can often be limiters or EQs, so sometimes they'll be very compressed or shrill. Depends on the venue. Also, at least in the US, they tend to be on 72mhz or 216mhz frequencies, which is very susceptible to cell phone interference and/or SD card write RF noise.. The ALD receivers use the headphone cord as the antenna, so make sure the headphone cord is loose, free, and untangled. I'll have a pack in my breast pocket, have the cord go up to my shoulder, and then loop back down my body to the recorder in the fanny pack.

If you're serious about this, go to a sports game at the venue and test it out. You can figure out if it's worthwhile, reception quality, decent locations in proximity to transmitter, etc. And then if it works for you, don't torrent or release it. No need to ruin it long-term if it's good.
Title: Re: Hearing Loops at venues
Post by: SDM71 on January 20, 2022, 07:01:58 PM
From use of the terminology above, I've been able to search the boards (and elsewhere) more successfully, and see how incendiary having this as my first post was.  I'm going to leave it there.