Our non-profit uses the local historic theater as a venue for live musical performances. When the theater was remodeled the glass portion of the box office window was removed and replaced with a solid piece of glass. At the bottom of the glass enclosure is an opening for passing through the money and the tickets. I’ve been told that opening cannot be altered even though it is breezy inside and the tickets and money fly around.
The problem that we are having is being able to hear. The person selling tickets (usually an older volunteer) has to bend forward and down to shout out the opening at the bottom. The person purchasing tickets also has to bend over and shout in the opening or use sign language, which is difficult if one wants a child’s ticket or the number of tickets isn’t obvious.
Any suggestions for solving the problem?
Thank you.
Replies
check here and see if it leads to any ideas -
http://www.fullcompass.com/category/Intercom-Hard-Wired-Stations-and-Interfaces.html
A baby monitor?
Is there any kind of soffit over the ticket window? If there is, maybe a small speaker can be mounted up high and out of the way. Small PA amps are available from places like Parts Express and some have tone controls that would let you get a decent sound instead of being really tinny.
Our theater is in a relatively small town. I generally have a way of finding the right person who "thoroughly" enjoys accomplishing what others would consider work...although it is often the best apple pie maker from our local fair or a home brewer!
I have not a clue who to ask for help on this project. To my knowledge there is not a professional in our area who does such a project. My plan was to give your suggestions to the "right" person. Do I seek someone who has done a fabulous sound system in their home, an electrician, our sound tech? Any suggestions?
Thank you.
Apple-"Can't be modified" as in impossible? Or "can't" as in you're not allowed to modify due to the historic nature of the building? My immediate reaction is to install one of those through the glass mics like the real movie theaters use. You know- the round ones with a speaker right in front of you when you walk up to the window. I am also thinking something Bluetooth might be workable. I know there are aftermarket bluetooth modules available to be installed in an automobile. Pair that with a bluetooth headset and you could fabricate something affordable, decent looking, and relatively inexpensive. Then build a weighted bookend type arrangement to block the slot and keep out the breeze. Something like this might work if there's a way to pair it to a bluetooth headset:http://shop.vzw.com/?id=Sony+SRS-BTM30+Stereo+Bluetooth+Speaker+System+32015
Where are you?
"I cut this piece four times and it's still too short."
Our theater is Raymond, WA., 50 miles north of Astoria, OR on Hwy 101.
I have to think that someone in your area knows how to do this.
"I cut this piece four times and it's still too short."
Electrician? Not usually, unless audio is their hobby. Your sound tech may know how to do this- they tend to be fairly inquisitive when it comes to these things.
"I cut this piece four times and it's still too short."
Here's one source for those ticket booth intercoms. http://www.feelsafer.com/speakthrus.html You have to cut a hole in the glass to mount it.
FWIW, the new booth glass may well be tempered. If so, drilling ain't gonna happen. In that case, mounting a mic outside on the counter, with a speaker inside, may be the best that can be done.
Mike HennessyPittsburgh, PA