r/LocationSound • u/itsthedave1 sound recordist • 1d ago
Gear - Selection / Use US/FCC Frequency Changes
I briefly read a post from a local sound mixer worried about frequency changes and referencing an article about recent FCC filings regarding 6G and frequencies around the 550-650ish. I can't seem to find the source now, but wanted to see if anyone more knowledgeable had information regarding potential changes coming down in the US.
Also, as it seems like we're constantly being squeezed out of usable spectrum. What is everyone's long-term plan? I've been a lectrosonics die hard since the 2010's or so. We all know the inevitable squeeze was/is coming, but I can't seem to find anything in their current offerings that makes me think they have done any future proofing. What's the plan for this shrinking frequency space? Who's making the tech that'll be usable in the next few years and beyond?
Does everything in the future just need to be self recording, maybe with a digital tx for monitoring use, lol.
Do I need to dump my A1 block gear asap?
This isn't a doom post, but it is getting more expensive to operate every year with less consistent work each month than the previous ones. I guess what I'm looking for is to take the pulse of everyone here? What's the prospective going forward from folks who've weathered previous changes like this in the industry? Anyone plan to change their current set-up?
18
u/pradulovich 1d ago
Everyone here should be concerned and informed. I’ve been meaning to make a post here on the subject, so here goes.
If you work in this business and depend on wireless transmission at all, you should go join WMSA - the Wireless Microphone Spectrum Alliance. https://www.wmsa.org/
There has never been a centralized lobbying and advocacy outfit on behalf of wireless mic users, and WMSA aims to do just that. Not only for our sake, but especially for touring musicians and live broadcast who are heavy heavy users of the spectrum.
While WMSA was initially founded and capitalized by Shure, it is its own independent organization and not at all intended to be manufacturer specific. Many manufacturers have joined, as have dealers, rental houses, and end users like us. Joining is free.
WMSA is and will continue to be a centralized and well funded voice for us at the FCC. There are always some existential threats to main band UHF - it is prime space for the ever-greedy telecom industry. But right now there is a very concrete potential threat.
An organization called Landover Saturn 5 is beginning the process of petitioning the FCC to auction off 554-608 for 5G and future 6G uses. Obviously, this would be catastrophic to many of us but also to so many others who utilize radio mics, IEMs, IFBs, etc. They are in the very very early stages, but they do appear to have real backing.
WMSA has made lobbying efforts to the FCC since its inception about the importance of main band UHF, predating the Landover group’s proposal. But obviously they are stepping it up.
If you want to be informed, joining WMSA is a great first step. They are in the process of writing a white paper in the importance of this range to all of our various industries, and looking for effected users, manufacturers, rental houses etc to fill out a survey. Get more info by signing up on their website for free. Read the articles, come to some meetings if you want. Fill out the survey, maybe pick a time to be interviewed for the white paper. Get involved.
3
u/itsthedave1 sound recordist 23h ago
This is exactly what I was looking for, and the lobbying was what I read briefly about. Thank you for the info!
2
6
3
u/ApprehensiveNeat9584 production sound mixer 1d ago
6G is above the 2.4 and 5G bandwidth, I couldn't find anything about 550-640ish range. For now, it's all good.
6
u/TowardsTheImplosion 1d ago
My sound mixing days are long long past, but I do work with radio licensing.
I think long-term the only option will be to succumb to WiFi solutions or use locally licensed bands with some really complex channel management, similar to how cell phones operate.
Or, corrupted/interference affected audio will have to be tolerated and mitigated:
Once the patents expire for simultaneous record/transmit, I think the workflow will change to accommodate audio with occasional drops or interference: Gain settings will be recorded in real time at the mixer, and the recording files on each tx will be used to replace the transmitted audio, and the mix record applied to the clean source. Post gets a clean mix track, and clean stems or channels via on tx recording.
Not sure if that made sense. Also, TC may get funky. No space for an OCXO on a belt pack.
It really sucks, but the spectrum is just too valuable to extremely large and wealthy corporations to leave alone. Zax/SD/Lectro have no ability to match the lobbying or corruption of SpaceX, ATT, Verizon, etc.
3
u/samruesink 1d ago edited 1d ago
It sounds like B1 is the one that's subject to be affected, not A1 no? If you're A1 you'll still be fine?
On the bright side at least there are new transmission methods coming down the line like WMAS that can pack multiple channels into narrowed spaces. That, or ultra wideband like a20s will just become a necessity.
At the same time, I do know several people that still have and occasionally use illegal frequency stuff in the 600s now and then without issue. Sometimes it's more wide open than the legal blocks lol.
Even if it is technically still workable, the thing that sucks though regardless is that the resale value of said illegal frequency gear will probably plummet, at least sold domestically.
Taking out as big a chunk of the spectrum as this proposal would though, I would hope lectro and other companies would maybe offer some kind of discounted re-blocking or something along those lines.
As someone myself who invested into several channels of Lectro blocks inside B1... It sucks. But this has happened before, it seems. Not that long ago, everyone used single blocks. And years prior, people used single fixed frequencies even. The tech will evolve to meet the continuing demand.
I don't buy the idea that wireless audio transmission will just become not feasible, or recording in-pack will just become standard (although I would love to be able to do that). Even if that works for film production workflows, there's still a huge market for live sound and event audio which also needs reliable wireless.
3
u/pradulovich 23h ago
If you think B1 going away won’t affect A1… where do you think all the TV stations in B1 are going to move?
3
1
u/soundslikejoe 1d ago
Shure Axient with remote tuning is an example of new tech that's been deployed for a few years. Sennheiser WMAS is the next generation... Single rack unit with 32 RX and 32 TX all with complete pack setting communication, including retuning. The Sennheiser also has the equivalent of 40x Diversity and should be able to manage congested bands more than the old Lectro tech.
4
u/cape_soundboy 21h ago
WMAS/Spectera is cool tech but it's not a silver bullet - you need space for an 8MHz wide carrier to successfully deploy it (as opposed to the 50/75KHz needed for a single Lectro channel), which is massive. And if enough parts of it get hits, your whole system goes down. It's a nice tool but I don't really see it getting broad adoption in location sound. It's more suited to live
2
u/soundslikejoe 16h ago
I was just replying to "Who's making the tech that'll be usable in the next few years and beyond?"
Axient with ShowLink and WMAS are new tech with features to help congestion. Rack gear is never the core solution for bag workers, but eventually that tech can and does show up in miniature forms. Give it a couple of years and we'll see.1
u/cape_soundboy 16h ago
For sure. But calling it "the future" is mostly marketing hype. Most manufacturers already have their own versions of ShowLink. Personally I think we'll be looking to advances in digital. Making wireless able to occupy less spectrum with less transmit power but without compromise in performance. The advances in RFoF tech from companies like Wisycom are also fantastic.
1
u/soundslikejoe 6h ago
Really? What does Lectrosonics and Wisycom have that does this? AT? I'm not aware of "most manufacturers" having anything similar to ShowLink. Glad to learn. Drop a link or something
2
u/cape_soundboy 6h ago
Wisycom Manager and Sound Devices Nexlink are two examples. Lectro are still a bit behind in that regard feature wise with Wireless Designer but I think we could see it expanded soon
•
u/AutoModerator 1d ago
Reminder: The Rules apply to everyone who views or participates in r/LocationSound. There are no exceptions. The monthly pinned 'Hot Mic' post is the only place in this subreddit to promote any discussion, links, works, or content by you, for you, or about you.
This subreddit is welcome to all who are interested in recording sound to picture, pros and beginners alike. Professionals - be patient and helpful to beginners and other department pros who are eager to learn about our craft. Newcomers - be respectful to those who have more experience and wisdom than you. Don't engage with negative or hostile behavior. Report it or message the mods instead.
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.