GB2303017A - Portable audio mixing equipment with radio link - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a radio microphone system comprising a microphone 1, a control means adapted to accept audio output signals from the microphone and from one or more portable audio sources such as a tape cassette player or a CD player 2, said control means being further adapted to combine and mix said signals in a manner controllable by the user, a radio link means 6 adapted to transmit the combined signal to, for example, a sound reproduction system, and a portable power source, eg batteries. The equipment includes means to generate cueing signals 3.

Description

IMPROVED AUDIO EOUIPMENT Field of the Invention The present invention relates to improved radio microphone equipment.

Background to the Invention Radio microphones are increasingly popular for use in situations where it is desirable that the user be able to move freely, unencumbered by the trailing cable of a conventional microphone. Such microphones are used not only by performers but also by lecturers, sports and similar instructors, by the clergy and so forth. A radio microphone system replaces the normal cable connection of a microphone to its associated recording or amplification equipment with a low powered, short range radio link A variant provides a similar link for the output of an electric guitar or other instrument.

In certain circumstances the user of a radio microphone has the need to operate other radio equipment at the same time, for example to play back pre-recorded music etc. If this equipment is not itself portable, either because of its nature or because it must be connected to the recording/amplification equipment, much of the advantage and freedom of the radio microphone may be lost, or at the very least compromised.

Examples of such situations might be music-based sports instruction (e.g synchronised swimming, gymnastics), aerobic instruction, theatrical rehearsals, performance checking of large public address systems, etc.

The aim of this invention is to provide a neat, portable and easy to use solution to the problem of impeded freedom of movement for the user of a radio microphone where simultaneous use of certain other audio equipment is also required.

Summarv of the Invention According to a first aspect of the present invention, in its broadest sense, there is provided a radio microphone system comprising: i) a microphone; ii) a control means adapted to accept audio output signals from the microphone and from one or more portable audio sources such as a tape cassette player or a CD player, said control means being further adapted to combine and mix said signals in a manner controllable by the user; iii) a radio link means adapted to transmit the combined signal to for example, a sound reproduction system; and iv) a portable power source e.g batteries.

Preferably the control means and the radio link means are constructed as an integrated unit in one housing.

Preferably the housing is adapted to be worn on a belt or on a strap, thus providing the user with easy access to the controls.

Preferably the control means incorporates tone controls and/or other frequency response control circuitry.

Preferably the control means incorporates on/off or muting switches in the circuitry for one or more inputs or outputs.

Preferably the control means is further adapted to incorporate circuitry to mute the microphone when the user is not speaking by sensing the sound level reaching the microphone.

Preferably the control means is further adapted to incorporate circuitry to limit, compress or otherwise modify the dynamics of the input and/or output signals.

Preferably the control means incorporates circuitry to produce audible cue signals.

Brief Description of the Drawing A preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be more particularly described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawing wherein: Figure 1 shows in diagrammatic form an integrated radio microphone/mixer control system.

Description of the Preferred Embodiment The embodiment shown in Figure 1 represents currently the best method known to the applicant of putting the invention into practice. But it is not the only way in which this could be achieved. It is illustrated, and will now be described, by way of example only.

Figure 1 illustrates a device adapted to mix the signals from a hand-held of body-worn microphone with those signals from another audio source or sources such as a personal cassette player or a CD player which can be carried and controlled by the user. The resulting combined signal can then be relayed to a sound or recording system (following equipment) using a radio link of the same type as a normal radio microphone system. This combination of audio mixer and radio transmitter would preferably be constructed as an integrated unit, as shown in Figure 1, but for some applications it may be preferable to construct the mixer section as one unit and to employ a standard proprietary radio microphone transmitter/receiver set for the link.

The radio microphone system illustrated in Figure 1 is shown clipped to a belt worn in the usual way. A microphone mounted on a headband 1 is connected to the device via an input panel, as are a personal cassette player 2 and a hand-held switch to trigger audible cueing (tempo) signals 3. The levels of the various signals are adjusted to produce the required balance using the controls 4. The resultant combined signal is converted to a radio frequency signal of a type approved for use with radio microphones. This conversion takes place within the device and the resultant signal is radiated via the aerial 6.

The mute switch for the microphone 5 allows the user to switch off the microphone temporarily, in order to have a private conversation, without disturbing the balance which has been set up.

The personal cassette player 2 and the cueing switch 3 could be clipped to the belt when not in use, or the cassette player could be operated in this clipped position.

Use of this device allows complete freedom of movement over an area governed only by the reception area of the radio system, whilst maintaining complete control of a comprehensive audio system.

In some applications it is also advantageous to incorporate circuitry to produce audible cueing signals (e.g as one might clap one's hands) to guide performers' timing or tempo. Such circuitry, operated by a hand-held switch would produce signals which could be mixed into the combined output signal and thus be relayed to the following equipment as part of that signal. This facility would be especially valuable where the listeners cannot easily hear other tempo guidance. An example would be syncro-swimmers, who had their heads under water for much of the time where they can hear music via underwater loudspeakers but not hand claps or similar signals.

A wide variety of other controls can be incorporated into the control function of this device. For example, tone controls or other frequency response control circuitry can be incorporated, giving the user control of the tonal quality of the sound produced. This is particularly useful when swopping between various input sources, whose quality can vary considerably.

Various on/off and muting controls can also be provided, including the facility to mute the microphone when the user is not speaking. This function can be performed automatically by sensing the sound level reaching the microphone.

The facility to limit, compress or otherwise modify the dynamics of the signals can also be provided, including digitisation if necessary.

By incorporating the mixer/control unit means and the radio microphone function into a single integrated unit, and thus into a single housing, considerable savings in size, components and cost can be achieved. In addition, only a single power supply is required.

In summary, the invention comprises a radio microphone system powered from a source carried by the user, preferably within the equipment, and comprising: a) circuitry to interface with the chosen microphone; b) circuitry to interface with other audio equipment; c) facilities to control the relative levels of various input signals mixed for form the combined output signal; d) circuitry to mix the input signals; e) circuitry to match the output signal appropriately to a low powered radio transmitter; f) a low powered radio transmitter of a type approved for use as part of a radio microphone system; g) a primary or rechargeable battery power source.

Claims (9)

1. A radio microphone system comprising: i) a microphone; ii) a control means adapted to accept audio output signals from the microphone and from one or more portable audio sources such as a tape cassette player or a CD player, said control means being further adapted to combine and mix said signals in a manner controllable by the user; iii) a radio link means adapted to transmit the combined signal to, for example, a sound reproduction system; and iv) a portable power source eg batteries.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 and in which the control means and the radio link means are constructed as an integrated unit in one housing.

3. Apparatus according to claim 2 and in which the housing is adapted to be worn on a belt or on a strap, thus providing the user with easy access to the controls.

4. Apparatus according to any preceding claim and in which the control means incorporates tone controls and/or other frequency response control circuitry.

5. Apparatus according to any preceding claim and in which the control means incorporates onloff or muting switches in the circuitry for one or more inputs or outputs.

6. Apparatus according to claim 5 and in which the control means is further adapted to incorporate circuitry to mute the microphone when the user is not speaking by sensing the sound level reaching the microphone.

7. Apparatus according to any preceding claim and in which the control means is further adapted to incorporate circuitry to limit, compress or otherwise modify the dynamics of the input andlor output signals.

8. Apparatus according to any preceding claim and in which the control means incorporates circuitry to produce audible cue signals.

9. Apparatus substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated in any appropriate combination of the accompanying drawings.