I think that you need, of course, a wireless mic setup and a pre-amp. This then get's wired into the input on the amps that run the surrounds.

Anything else or better ideas.

I can't recommend a wireless microphone, though...most of the ones that I have heard were quite bad. Please post here if you find something that's decent. You'll probably have to put the receiver in the booth window to get decent reception, or put it in the auditorium somewhere and run a balanced line to the mixer/preamp.

Two recommendations on mics: first, avoid the lavalier (clip-on) type, as they often have highly sensitive condenser microphones in them which are just asking for feedback. Go for a handheld unit with a nice windscreen. Second, go UHF and/or diversity if you can afford it. Lower likelihood of interference, phenomenal range.

As far as a mixer goes.... I'd go with either a Numark or Mackie rack mount DJ mixer. You guys are going "WHAT!!??". But yes, I've seen many drive-in theatres with DJ mixers in the sound rack. The flexibility of a DJ mixer is great. My Numark mixerS have 2 mic channels with XLR & 1/4" inputs, 3 line channels with "preamp" inputs for 6 sources, a "booth monitor send", "stereo master outs", and "stereo record sends".

You could run your non-sync music CD player through the mixer, as well as the mic feeds.\

Which wireless mics to use?? I personally use only Shure UHF True Diversity wireless systems. They're built rock solid, have a great warranty, and the reception is flawless. I've got a SM58 wireless handheld, and a body-pack lavalier set in each of my DJ systems. You can pick up a good Shure wireless system for around $500-$600.00 each.

Good call on the Mackie... there's one right next to our MOD V and I'll never let it go!

The closest thing I could find quickly was this auction on Ebay--only $27.77 with under 2 hours to go:
http://cgi.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=519646993

Actually, this is just a mixer/preamp, but it would do what you want if you intend to connect it to the non-sync input on your Dolby unit.

On a Ultra*Stereo processor there's an "AUX" input on the back of the unit. It takes a regular line level input, such as that from a CD player and puts it to the right and left channels. All you have to do is press the proper button on the format module.

We have had a company come in and do satellite feeds in the auditorium. They brought their own projector and receiver. They fed the signal into a regular old mixing console. There was a handle for the sound and they had a mike as well.
Program your individual inputs on "sub" masters and use the "grand" master to vary the overall level. That way you can make sure the mike and the audio feeds are balanced, loudness-wise.

Just make sure you have the output of the mixer turned DOWN before you try it. You can always slowly turn it up. It's a lot harder to turn it down after you've blown out your processor!

The other place I've done this is in a regular "stage" theatre. They use a DSP to send the outputs to the speakers, though. All you have to do there is hook all your mikes up as normal and then flip a switch on the back of the computer. The DSP does all the work.

Just make sure you do a walk test before you are ready for your "Go-Show". You can have a lot of feedback because the speakers are behind the person speaking on stage. You'll have to play with the levels to get that "happy medium" where the voice will be loud enough but it won't cause feedback.

Try to set up a podium and keep the mike on the podium. That'll force the person speaking to stay in an area that you know will be safe. They won't walk in front of a speaker and "screech-out" the room that way. It's nigh on impossible to tell your average person that they can walk in one place and not in another... especially while they are trying to give a lecture or performance. Most people can't think on two levels at once like that!

They say the ONLY kind of wireless system that's immune to this kind of interference is the kind that uses wires!

At Cinemark we use two-way radios on the FM "business" band. We never had interference problems.

Aaron

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