New to the History Channel. Life After People studies an Earth suddenly devoid of people. Combining interviews from experts in the fields of engineering, botany, biology, geology and archeology with special visual effects, it paints a strking picture of our environment.

One episode draws heavily on interviews, many of which took place on a military base – a particularly hostile environment for the wireless microphone systems being used.

An established name in location sound recording for documentary and independent feature making, Ty Chu’s credits include Monsters Inside Me on Animal Planet and The Universe’s Biggest Blasts on the History Channel. While he’s encountered of difficult scenarios during his years in the business, the challenges of working in a congested military RF environment proved an eye-opener. And his collection of Lectrosonics SMDa Super-Miniature, SMa Super-Miniature and HM plug-on transmitters and UCR411a compact receivers proved essential.

‘Between the air taffic, radar towers and a multitude of other communication signals, the RF environment was positively stifling,’ Chu confirms. ‘This was, without question, the most difficult RF area I have ever encountered. Lectrosonics provided no dropouts – even though my whole band was taken up by military RF. The spectrum analyser in my four UCR411a’s helped out tremendously.’

Chu uses four SMDa transmitters and two SMa transmitters, and most recently, acquired Lectrosonics’ new HM plug-on transmitter for his UCR411a receivers. ‘First and foremost, the sound quality of the Lectrosonics equipment is what makes all the difference,’ he says. ‘The Digital Hybrid Wireless technology yields much higher dynamic range – without the sonic artifacts – than wireless systems using a compandor are able to offer. For all intents and purposes, the audio quality is on par with a wired microphone.

‘Second, the build quality and the product’s overall engineering are exceptional. I’ve used this equipment in the desert where the heat reached 115°F and I’ve had the same gear out in the snow and the rain. Nothing seems to bother it. The LCDs and the membrane switches on my transmitters are easy to read, and sealed so that dirt and moisture really can’t damage the electronics. Further, the housings are all custom machined out of metal and, in the case of my SMDas and SMas, their size makes them easy to conceal them on the talent. In the heat of the moment, no other transmitters allow for a quick change of frequencies on the fly with such an easy-to-use menu system. Its details like these that inspire confidence.’

More: www.lucky7locationsound.com
More: www.lectrosonics.com