The newest member of Clear-Com’s FreeSpeak family of wireless intercom systems – the FreeSpeak Icon beltpack – is currently undergoing a field trial in Las Vegas by the technical team behind Blue Man Group. Known for its immersive, multimedia performances, the BMG has been using FreeSpeak Icon to support its highly coordinated live environment.
While not part of an official partnership or sponsorship, this trial is being independently led by Scott Dahl, Head of Audio for Blue Man Group Las Vegas, as his team explores new solutions for live production communications. Dahl has been overseeing the trial, using FreeSpeak Icon beltpacks in conjunction with an ArcadiaCentral Station, FreeSpeak II-19-TCVRs, and FreeSpeak II beltpacks. Dahl and his team have already seen the advantages FreeSpeak Icon brings to their complex production environment.
‘The 20-hour battery life easily keeps up with our long performance schedules,’ Dahl reports. ‘The colour screen is bright and easy to read, even from a distance, and the extra programmable keys allow us to customise configurations for program feeds, call signals, and point-to-points, giving us the flexibility we need on stage.’
The production team has also found significant benefits in FreeSpeak Icon’s user-friendly design and performance-driven features. ‘Dark mode is such a useful feature, especially when we have multiple users on stage,’ Dahl says. ‘The built-in speaker and mic mode helped us when a headset wasn’t practical, like during breaks or when in fixed positions.’
FreeSpeak Icon’s enhanced control features have been particularly well-received: ‘Having a dedicated master volume control is a big win,’ Dahl says. ‘I can adjust all listen levels with a single key, which is so convenient. The ability to control Channels A, B, C and D independently without toggling between encoders improves workflow.’
Another standout feature has been FreeSpeak Icon’s Bluetooth functionality, which allows for selective user access. ‘I’m impressed with the Bluetooth functionality. The option to assign it to specific roles and keep it hidden from general users ensures I can maintain control over access.’
The FreeSpeak Icon beltpacks have been assigned to the show’s stage manager and A2, seamlessly integrating with the existing Clear-Com ecosystem. With their enhanced capabilities, Blue Man Group’s technical team is experiencing a new level of efficiency and ease in their communication workflows.
‘Clear-Com has always been committed to pushing the boundaries live production communications,’ says Clear-Com Regional Sales Manager, Brian Grahn,. ‘It’s exciting to see FreeSpeak Icon making a real impact in such a demanding and dynamic environment.’
Blue Man Group’s latest addition of FreeSpeak Icon indicates the system’s ability to meet the needs of high-intensity live performance. As Clear-Com continues to refine and expand its intercom offering, productions worldwide are promised yet more advanced tools to support their creative and technical needs.
More: www.clearcom.com