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This is an ADLAB PRO video.

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ADLAB PRO is a project funded
by the European Union.

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This video is made available to you
on a Creative Commons licence.

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Hello. I’m Louise Fryer,
from Utopian Voices.

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In this ADLAB PRO video
I will give an overview

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of the technical skills
you need to describe live events.

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This is Unit 2 in Module 3.

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Audio description for live events
is usually closed.

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People with sight loss
listen to the AD using a headset.

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No one else can hear it.

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The describer sits somewhere
soundproof with a view of the stage.

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The view may be direct
from a technician’s booth

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at the back of the auditorium

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or indirect,
you watch the show on a monitor.

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This photograph shows the describer
in a booth with a view of the stage.

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On a desk in front of her
is some tailor-made equipment.

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The describer wears dark clothes
so as not to distract the actors.

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In this photo the describer
wears a headset microphone

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plugged into a unit that allows her
to turn the mic on and off

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silently using a fader.

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Describers should turn the mic off
when they’re not speaking

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so that users don’t hear noises,
such as breathing or rustling.

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This photo from VocalEyes
shows a small mixing desk.

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Through it the describer
controls the level of the show.

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The best sort of AD headset
has three channels:

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one for the AD, and one
for the show sound or show relay

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and a third channel
where the two sources are mixed.

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In the UK the AD is transmitted
via infra-red or a radio frequency.

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With infra-red, the mixer is connected
to modulate the sound at the stage.

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This transmits the AD sound
to the AD headsets

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firing it through a red beam.

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This requires
a clear “line of sight”

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between the modulator
and the headset.

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If someone walks
in front of the headset-user,

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the beam and therefore
the sound is disrupted.

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The position of the modulator might
affect where AD users can sit.

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To avoid these problems,
some theatres use a radio system.

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The AD is transmitted
by a radio frequency

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over a range of around 100m.
This signal cannot be obstructed.

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Users do not need to be early
to hear the audio introduction.

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You won’t be expected
to install the equipment

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but you may need to advise
a venue about what to provide

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and how technicians
set the system if it isn’t working.

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Approximately
an hour before the performance

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carry out a sound check.
Talk into the mic

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while a technician listens to you
in the auditorium via a headset.

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Check: Are you loud enough?
Or too loud causing distortion

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when you say words
beginning with certain sounds?

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Do they stop hearing you
when you close the microphone fader?

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Can you hear the sound
from the stage?

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You will either use a small mic
attached to your headset,

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or a separate mic on a stand.
Avoid a hand-held mic.

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You need your hands to manipulate
the fader and your script.

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Ensure the mic is close to, but
not directly in front of your mouth.

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Test this by placing
your fingers over the mic

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and making some
plosive sounds “PPP”.

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If you can feel breath
on your fingers,

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move the mic towards
your cheek or chin.

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Also test for sibilant sounds "ss"
and dental consonants.

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In English these are
“t” and “d” sounds.

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Read some
of your introductory notes.

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Check the signal can be heard
in all parts of the auditorium,

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especially when seated.

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Wear your headphones
for your sound check.

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Adjust them so you hear
yourself and the show relay

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at a comfortable level. You will
instinctively adapt to match.

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If your level or the show relay
is too quiet or too loud,

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you will speak too quietly
or too loudly too.

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That was an introduction
to unit 2:

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the technical aspects
of audio describing live events.

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Some people find it off-putting
but once you're familiar

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with the equipment,
you can almost forget it’s there

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and concentrate on
delivering the AD.

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The preparation
of this presentation

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was supported by ADLAB PRO.
Audio Description:

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A Laboratory for the Development
of a New Professional Profile

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financed by the European Union
under the Erasmus+ Programme,

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Key Action 2,
Strategic Partnerships.

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Project number:

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2016-1-IT02-KA203-024311.

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The information and views
set out in this presentation

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are those of the authors
and do not necessarily reflect

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the official opinion
of the European Union.

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Neither the European Union
institutions and bodies

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nor any person acting
on their behalf

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may be held responsible
for the use

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which may be made of
the information contained therein.

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This was an ADLAB PRO video.

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ADLAB PRO partners are:
University of Trieste,

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Universitat Autònoma
de Barcelona,

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University of Antwerp,
Adam Mickiewicz University,

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RTV Slovenia,
Utopian Voices,

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Soundfocus and Royal National
Institute of Blind People.

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ADLAB PRO was funded
by the European Union.

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This video was made available to you
on a Creative Commons licence.