Capture radio signal with PB?

[wstubbs]

I need some help-

I want to capture audio signals from a lavalier mic in a lecture hall. Is there some utility/device that will allow me to capture the signal and interpret it as audio?

I would like to use AirPort to do it, but I doubt that will work. If I can find the frequency it transmits on, I may be able to catch it. I doubt that it's encrypted (it's a university lecture). I have access to a respectable variety of high-end journalism equipment, but since I'm going to be doing it mobile, I want to keep this setup small and simple.

My equipment is listed below.

Any thoughts or comments appreciated 🙂

New 12" PB G4 512mb 80gb 1.5Ghz
4th gen iPod
griffin iTalk
various wireless microphones with variable frequencies.

 

[superbovine]

The mic is probably an FM signal, therefore all you need is a device that will receive an FM signal i.e. no Aiport. What you should do is find out the brand and model of the setup then you research the feq. Although it is probably an FM signal. You can also just get an FM radio and look for the signal.

http://registration.hauppauge.com/webstore/Macproducts.asp#mytv2go

That is a usb tv/fm turner capture device. however, as cool as that is all you need is a radio with a stereo output with an *amped* signal and run that into your audio line-in on your PB and tune the radio to the freq then capture with your fav recording utility.

i think easiest way is to get the mic attachment for an ipod and record it that way and copy onto your pb. it won't be the feed from the mic directly but it will get the job done.

 

[gangst]

Just out of general interest why do you want to do that? Sounds like a decent piss take lol

 

[wstubbs]

Just out of general interest why do you want to do that? Sounds like a decent piss take lol

Forgive my yank stupidity, but i don't get what that means 😀

 

[CanadaRAM]

It all depends on the wireless system being used by the microphone -- there will be a dedicated receiver that the sound reinforcement system is using. Various models use UHF or VHF frequencies, so while the signal is technically an FM signal, the frequency range is outside of that of commercial FM radio (87.5 to 108.0 MHz). You would have to use a TV tuner, the Griffin RadioShark for example would not work. The AirPort uses a completely different range of frequencies.

Here is information from the top 4 producers of wireless systems

http://www.shure.com/booklets/intro/intro_to_wireless.asp

"Shure wireless microphones and PSM systems designed for use in the United States operate on standard VHF (TV channels 7-13, 174-216 MHz) and UHF (TV channels 14-69, 470-806 MHz) frequencies. Most U.S. cities have any number of local televisions stations, whose operating frequencies must be taken into account before choosing a wireless system frequency." So the manufacturers have charts of good frequencies for each city.

http://www.audio-technica.com/using/wireless/

http://www.sennheiserusa.com/newsite/category.asp?transid=cat56

http://www.telex.com/WirelessMicrophones/products.nsf/pages/ProductType=Wireless Microphones

Thanks
Trevor
CanadaRAM.com

 

[wstubbs]

WOW!

Thanks for the great post. That's uber helpful!

Will