1. January 19, 2012
Duoson Multimedia
Presentation to MPI Technology Day
Understanding Digital Multi-microphones and Simultaneous Interpretation
Delegate Takeaways
 When and how to specify digital conference microphones
 Options for planning a digital multi-microphone conference system
 How to plan interpretation systems for bilingual and multi-lingual events
Digital Conference Microphones
Microphone Overview
Importance of Good Sound
 Audio is primary form of communication
 If delegates can’t hear properly they will become disengaged
 Bad or annoying sound reflects badly on the event host
 Best quality starts with the input to the system, the microphone
Microphone Applications
 Wired microphones
 Wireless microphones
 Automated microphone systems
Microphone problems
 Multiple open microphones create a greater risk of feedback, degraded quality of
sound, and increased reverberation.
 Operator cannot actively manage a large number of microphones
Solutions
 Tune out feedback tones with a graphic equalizer
 Keep the microphones away from room speakers
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 Limit the number of open microphones
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Duoson Multimedia, 1177 Newmarket Street, Ottawa, Ontario K1G 3V1
T. 613-742-7474 F. 613-742-3434 www.duoson.com

2. Multi-Microphone Discussion Systems
Check List for Choosing a Digital Multi-Microphone System
 Eliminates the problems with multiple microphones by allowing only a limited number of
them to be open at any time
 Fast and easy installation for large hollow square conferences
 Easy to add more microphones
 Built-in speaker on microphone pedestal can eliminate the need for a p.a. system
 Interfaces directly to Simultaneous Interpretation system with a secure hard wired listening
connection
 Allows delegate presentations, questions and comments without the need to go to a floor
microphone resulting in better structured and more productive meetings
 Name handling feature gives visual map of delegate names and affiliations on the
chairperson’s computer screen for better control of the meeting
 Extra features are available such as delegate registration, automated camera control and
delegate voting
Microphones can be controlled by either:
 delegate
 chairman including override function to turn off all mics
 technician to turn mics on or off if delegate hasn’t
 optional automated control by voice activation
How it works
 Press to request to speak or to be added to the cue to speak next
 Press again to remove the request
 Press when finished speaking to turn off the microphone
 Tally light on the microphones confirms the delegate’s status
How many microphones to order
 one per delegation
 one per delegate; especially for international delegations and when using name handling
 one for every two delegates to save cost of equipment and space at the hollow square
table
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Duoson Multimedia, 1177 Newmarket Street, Ottawa, Ontario K1G 3V1
T. 613-742-7474 F. 613-742-3434 www.duoson.com

3. Simultaneous Interpretation
This is a quick presentation on Interpretation, commonly confused with Translation.
Types of Interpretation
 Written
 Sign Language
o Langue des signes québécoise (LSQ)
o American Sign Language (ASL)
o English and French oral (lip-reading) interpreting
o Deaf-blind intervener (tactile interpreting)
 Consecutive
 Court/ legal
 Whisper or Escort interpreting
 Simultaneous Interpretation (SI)
o Single channel
o Bilingual
o Multilingual
 Remote interpreting
Types of Technologies for SI
 Radio Frequency (RF)
 Wired
 Infrared (IR) analog or digital
What questions do you need to ask your client when they request SI
 How many languages will there be and how many teams of interpreters do they have
booked?
 Make sure you have the right number of booths. As a general rule you will need one booth
per language.
 How many delegates will be attending?
 Do they know their headset (receivers) requirements from past events?
 Do they need to record the SI?
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Duoson Multimedia, 1177 Newmarket Street, Ottawa, Ontario K1G 3V1
T. 613-742-7474 F. 613-742-3434 www.duoson.com

4. Basic Requirements
To enable interpreters to provide the best service possible, you must:
 Provide all documents in advance
 ensure that interpreters have a direct view of the speakers’ table & visuals
 ensure that the doors and windows of the booths are not blocked
 give lapel microphones to presenters
 place pitchers of fresh water in each booth at the start of each session.
Interpreters
 Certified or not? Remember, when the big day comes, your speakers will only sound as
good and convincing as the interpreters in the booth.
 Book interpreters early and only use only certified interpreters
 Demand for specific languages determines the availability of interpreters. For instance, in
Europe and Canada there are few interpreters with Asian languages such as Japanese,
Korean or Thai.
 The number of interpreters for a specific language combination is determined by the AIIC
Professional Standards, which are applied at virtually all conferences.
Hiring Consultant Interpreter Services for large or Multilingual Events
Your consultant interpreter will be able to:
 Advise on the composition of the interpretation team on the basis of the languages to be
used at the conference
 Talk you through the options that are available for your meeting
 Explain how to make the best use of interpreters’ services
 Provide a quotation for the service
 Recruit the best available interpreters
 Negotiate fees and conditions with interpreters including travel day’s allowances, daily
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subsistence allowances (DSA), travel costs, ground allowances
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Duoson Multimedia, 1177 Newmarket Street, Ottawa, Ontario K1G 3V1
T. 613-742-7474 F. 613-742-3434 www.duoson.com

5.  Collect and submit interpreter CVs to clients
 Negotiate contract terms; draft and sign contracts with clients
 Prepare interpreters’ contracts
 Handle conference documents to be forwarded to interpreters
 Liaise between conference organisers, speakers, chairs, and interpreters before and
during the meeting
 Advise on interpretation equipment
 Handle invoicing as appropriate
 Check that SI equipment is properly working and liaise with technical staff.
Simultaneous Interpretation Equipment
The success of a congress depends to a large extent on the quality and reliability of sound
transmission. It is in your best interest to use standardized equipment and competent
technicians. Your SI equipment supplier and your consultant interpreter can advise you on the
specific needs for your meeting.
What You Will Need
 one interpretation booth per output language
 interpreter consoles(minimum two mics and headsets per booth)
 audio mixer for volume control
 a transmission system(IR or RF)
 receivers and headsets for presenters and delegates
 microphones for interpreters and for participants
Booths
You will normally need one booth per language. The booths should conform to ISO 4043 (built-in)
or ISO 2063 (mobile) booth standards. They should be sound-proof and have a silent ventilation
system. This will ensure better communication and trouble-free listening by delegates.
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The ISO 4043 and 2063 Standards produced by AIIC with ISO cover basically the following points:
Duoson Multimedia, 1177 Newmarket Street, Ottawa, Ontario K1G 3V1
T. 613-742-7474 F. 613-742-3434 www.duoson.com

6.  Size: a mobile 2-person booth measures 1.60 m wide x 1.60 m deep x 2.00 m high.
 Location: booths must be placed (usually at the back of the meeting room) in such
a way as to give interpreters an unobstructed clear view of the screen and
speakers, and allow them to gauge the reaction of participants.
 Windows: booths should have clear (not tinted) glass or plexiglass windows - one
covering the front from table height to almost top and one covering the front half
of the side.
 Ventilation: each booth must have a silent ventilator, usually fit into the roof at
the back, appropriate lighting (small movable desk lamps), and be properly sound-
proofed.
Checklist for Hiring Simultaneous Interpretation Equipment
A multilingual conference requires professional conference interpreters, reliable equipment, and
competent technicians. The simultaneous interpretation equipment is usually hired separately
from the interpretation service. Here are some points to help you ensure that the equipment you
hire is adequate.
 If possible, your equipment supplier should provide the whole system, including
microphones, amplifiers and headsets, in order to avoid technical hitches. The hotel
microphone and amplifier system (PA system) is frequently incompatible with the
simultaneous equipment.
 The equipment supplier's technician should operate the system throughout the
conference rather than leave it in the hands of untrained operators. The equipment
supplier should provide experienced technicians for the duration of the conference.
 Ensure the equipment supplier includes sufficient microphones and receivers for all
speakers and delegates. All microphones should be monitored from the central console
operated by the technicians.
 Make sure you have the right number of booths. As a general rule you will need one booth
per language.
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Duoson Multimedia, 1177 Newmarket Street, Ottawa, Ontario K1G 3V1
T. 613-742-7474 F. 613-742-3434 www.duoson.com

7. References
http://www.aiic.net/
http://www.btb.gc.ca/btb.php?lang=eng&cont=001
http://www.btb.gc.ca/btb.php?lang=eng&cont=1125
Value of SI to Your Conference
Simultaneous interpretation can be expensive to some people but it depends on how you look
at it. Simultaneous interpretation does not come for free, but it is only a small part of the total
budget for your meeting. And yet, it can be key to getting the most out of your overall
investment. If your meeting does not result in creating the desired communication, all of that
money will have been spent in vain.
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Duoson Multimedia, 1177 Newmarket Street, Ottawa, Ontario K1G 3V1
T. 613-742-7474 F. 613-742-3434 www.duoson.com