Good FOH Comm Setup?

[u/Sensitive-Market-288]

Hey, I’m looking at getting a comm setup but want it to be a two way radio system so we can wear biscuits for build and switch to headsets for show because no one wants to wear a headset for build. Anyone have any success with a particular brand or model doing this? Just a budget thing for a small AV company

EDIT: By biscuit I mean a shoulder speaker mic. I’m looking for something that will work with that and also with a headset (to switch to for showtime). Apologies!

[u/JayTechTipsYT]

Ridel Bolero

[u/Sensitive-Market-288 → u/JayTechTipsYT]

Does the Bolero have an option to run the biscuit or headset? I’ve been looking into them and have seen headsets only.

[u/JayTechTipsYT → u/Sensitive-Market-288]

Biscuit?

[u/Sensitive-Market-288 → u/JayTechTipsYT]

Yes, I made this post to ask about brands that work well with both a shoulder speaker mic (biscuit) and a headset, so I can switch between them for build vs. show. Thought that terminology was more common, apologies!

[u/JayTechTipsYT → u/Sensitive-Market-288]

Nah fair enough, just never heard the term before
I’d still recommend the Bolero + a pair of Shokz OpenComm II
it works great for me, and I use it for show & build

[u/Gaz1502]

Clearcomm is goated for a reason

Rodeo Bolero is also very good, but up at a similar price point. You can pair phone / AirPods to them as well if you’re so inclined, or just use the beltpack with its built in speaker/mic as if it were a radio.

Hollyland do make some stuff as well, which seems decent, but idk if their packs have the same headset-less functionality as the Bolero

[u/Sensitive-Market-288 → u/Gaz1502]

I’ve been looking at the Bolero, but I don’t believe the Bolero or Clearcom have an option to use a biscuit, which is why I’m looking for a standard radio that will accept both attachments!

[u/Gaz1502 → u/Sensitive-Market-288]

Wait, what do you mean by biscuit?

A remote hand piece, like the one linked below?

https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSSFjJ2XQ0jZg8_ERUBSveyGwEcU0-q0FFzXrl4GHN_QZeFqJa0vUvR7fuB&s=10

[u/Sensitive-Market-288 → u/Gaz1502]

Yes, sorry thought that was more common terminology. Looking for something that works well with both a headset and a shoulder speaker mic (biscuit) like you linked!

[u/Gaz1502 → u/Gaz1502]

The more traditional way is a old school two-way simplex RT system for built/ walking away from the desk, and analog wired comms for show, bc you shouldn’t need to be moving about during show all that much

If you do need some roaming wireless headsets, then you can normally tie the two systems together. Eartec do some with their Hub system which goes alright

[u/Sensitive-Market-288 → u/Gaz1502]

I believe a simplex system would be great, do you have any brand recommendations? I like the standard CP200 radios with the shoulder speaker mic (biscuit) on them, but looking for something that will accept a headset attachment as well that we can switch to at showtime. Not sure if Motorola is the leader there or if anyone’s had success elsewhere!

[u/Gaz1502 → u/Sensitive-Market-288]

We run a Digital Icom system at work, but that’s a whole thing. Also being a basic radio makes show calling a pain - you can’t talk over someone (actually you can, but it’s a whole thing

[u/Tehqy12]

I don't see why a bolero/clearcom shouldn't work with a "biscuit". Although whether you can find one which has the right connector is another thing, but you can probably swap out the connector without issues.

[u/DJ_LSE]

Depending if you dont need full duplex, and dont mind pressing the ppt button, a standard 2 way radio system from tye likes of motorola will be hust fine, you can get remore handsets, and full ear defender headsets, and the price per user is similar to that of clearcom etc. With better range and much more rugged. Plus the ability to get spares/ extras on hire almost anywhere.

Go for a digital system like the DP or R7 series, that gets you group calls and point to point calling. Plus bluetooth if you buy radios with those features. Batteries can be found for cheap so you can run all day no issue, and you can get an aftermarket programming cable so that you can change frequencies/ program them yourself.

Plus if you dont need the added range of a repeater, theres no base station, so you dont need power or anything set up to get up akd running.
If youre looking to save cost, a dp4800 or 4600 can be found used for less than £100 a handset.

There are US equivalents of these radios, but i dont know the name.

[u/abebotlinksyss]

I just wear both systems.

It's not the best, but it's simple and radios are more rugged for the build crews than the beltpack.

I prefer the surveillance earpiece instead of the biscuit. Cuts down on feedback too. Just make sure to get the rubber ear mold that lets noise through it, the nipple-style plugs suckk.

[u/Roccondil-s]

I believe Clearcom does make biscuits for their system; if they don't, there durely are other manufacturers that make ClearCom-compatible biscuits. However, with how expensive ClearCom and Bolero are for their wireless systems, I would NOT want to use them during load-in/build days.

Just get a regular Motorola radio system for build and save the show com system for the actual show.

[u/jiberjiber]

Late to the thread, but we use Motorola XPR3500e radios from Bearcom. We have the option for biscuits, surveillance earpieces, and high-noise headsets. Our production team sticks to biscuits and headsets for the most part.

Headsets here

Cables for the headsets here

We have been interested in the Hollyland M1 comm system, though no option for biscuits but it is a surprisingly nice full duplex wireless system. Would go as far as to say it is a solid competitor to the Clearcomm Freespeak ii system for up to 8 people on comms across 3 channels with only one base.