We are using a 30 year old PA system at our rocket launches to announce flights and for safety and information announcements.
We would like to be able to play music, streamed via bluetooth from various members phones.
What we want is, when you pick up the microphone and turn it on to make an announcement, the streaming music is paused until the mic is turned off. There are many people that work the launch control and we need this to be very simple.
Our mic and the PA system uses the 6.3mm single channel jacks for input and output.
What can we get that would allow that functionality?
Thanks...
Jeff
We would like to be able to play music, streamed via bluetooth from various members phones.
What we want is, when you pick up the microphone and turn it on to make an announcement, the streaming music is paused until the mic is turned off. There are many people that work the launch control and we need this to be very simple.
Our mic and the PA system uses the 6.3mm single channel jacks for input and output.
What can we get that would allow that functionality?
Thanks...
Jeff
Trying to get music to pause from multiple sources will be very expensive if you can even find that capability. What you really need is a compressor that has a "ducking" function. The compressor would work to drastically lower the level of the music input, anytime the mic input goes above a threshold level (user set). When the voice stops, the music comes back up to volume. The rate/speed of both the reduction and the recovery should be user adjustable on a good compressor.
IMO, the best inexpensive compressor that has that function is the Really Nice Compressor (RNC) sold by FMR Audio. It has a side chain insert hat will allow ducking.
NOTE: if all the music can be loaded onto a computer, then computer audio software may be used to "pause" the music, and then restart it once the microphone input goes below a certain level. You will have to research this unless someone posts a suggestion to software with that capability. Also, if you want, you can use audio software on a computer to perform the ducking function, instead of buying a hardware compressor.
IMO, the best inexpensive compressor that has that function is the Really Nice Compressor (RNC) sold by FMR Audio. It has a side chain insert hat will allow ducking.
NOTE: if all the music can be loaded onto a computer, then computer audio software may be used to "pause" the music, and then restart it once the microphone input goes below a certain level. You will have to research this unless someone posts a suggestion to software with that capability. Also, if you want, you can use audio software on a computer to perform the ducking function, instead of buying a hardware compressor.
Most commercial PA systems have a "ducking" function built-in which does exactly that.
Please post exact brand and model of yours, to search and check its user manual, it might already be there.
If not ... would you build a "ducking" add-on device? (hint: you are on DIY Audio 😉 ), or maybe you can buy one to use with your current system.
How do you get BT music into your amp? If 30 y.o. I doubt it includes a BT receiver.
I don´t see a multiple sources problem because as described there is one microphone, and system can play one Music source at a time, probably coming from a single BT receiver.
Please post exact brand and model of yours, to search and check its user manual, it might already be there.
If not ... would you build a "ducking" add-on device? (hint: you are on DIY Audio 😉 ), or maybe you can buy one to use with your current system.
How do you get BT music into your amp? If 30 y.o. I doubt it includes a BT receiver.
I don´t see a multiple sources problem because as described there is one microphone, and system can play one Music source at a time, probably coming from a single BT receiver.
I assumed the a 30 year old PA system would not have the ducking function. I personally have not seen it on older Bogens, EV and the like, and then I've only used Mackie and Behringer mixing boards and the like form 10-20 years ago which do not have the ducking function built in (which is one reason why I ended up with my own RNC).
I was not aware that single purpose ducking boxes exist! I just did a search and the Rolls DU-30B Audio Ducker came up; at $89 it is a good price for an outboard box from a reputable company with decades of pro audio experience.
I was not aware that single purpose ducking boxes exist! I just did a search and the Rolls DU-30B Audio Ducker came up; at $89 it is a good price for an outboard box from a reputable company with decades of pro audio experience.
The small PAs we see around, often converted to guitar amps, won't have ducking, but ducking has been around for ducking. I used to service commercial jukeboxes, and they even have ducking. SO the 30 years is more impediment to Bluetooth than ducking.
Outboard duckers:
https://www.rdlnet.com/blog/tips/automatic-audio-ducking/
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/prod...MIhq_dt8CN9wIVf21vBB1kowUgEAQYAyABEgKEtPD_BwE
And even a commercial basic product "with mic talkover"
https://www.ebay.com/itm/2553535195...MIhq_dt8CN9wIVf21vBB1kowUgEAQYCCABEgJdQ_D_BwE
Outboard duckers:
https://www.rdlnet.com/blog/tips/automatic-audio-ducking/
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/prod...MIhq_dt8CN9wIVf21vBB1kowUgEAQYAyABEgKEtPD_BwE
And even a commercial basic product "with mic talkover"
https://www.ebay.com/itm/2553535195...MIhq_dt8CN9wIVf21vBB1kowUgEAQYCCABEgJdQ_D_BwE
Thanks for the replies. I learned a lot from your suggestions and links. At least now I know what I'm looking for.
Our PA is locked in a sea-container on the farm we launch from and we won't be out three until the crops are harvested so it may be a while before I can get the PA, part numbers etc. I would be surprised if it had a ducking feature built in, but who knows...
Right now I'm thinking the Rolls DU30b Audio Ducker with Microphone Preamp with a MP3 player or bluetooth streaming device plugged into the music side with out mic should work pretty well.
With what you all have taught me, I think I'm heading down the right path.
Thanks...
Jeff
Our PA is locked in a sea-container on the farm we launch from and we won't be out three until the crops are harvested so it may be a while before I can get the PA, part numbers etc. I would be surprised if it had a ducking feature built in, but who knows...
Right now I'm thinking the Rolls DU30b Audio Ducker with Microphone Preamp with a MP3 player or bluetooth streaming device plugged into the music side with out mic should work pretty well.
With what you all have taught me, I think I'm heading down the right path.
Thanks...
Jeff
My links were just basic stuff, first things I came to stuff. There may be other products even more suited to your use. Keep your options open.
just be careful who you invite to your launches if you are playing copyright material over the P.a. hope ya get it sorted tho music helps the atmosphere but a heads up call for a ballistic return is REAL important lol (fallow rocketeer )