Stage Research is pleased to announce the release of RF Guru, a coordination tool targeted to anyone dealing with wireless microphones. RF Guru is designed to find the best combination of wireless microphone frequencies to be used at a venue and alleviate intermod (i.e., interference) problems. It calculates based on existing microphones, area TV stations, user-entered known bad frequencies and even mic data from nearby neighboring venues.
RF Guru was previewed in August at the successful launch of Stage Research's Sound 411, a two-day informational event designed to bring together sound professionals and students in New York City with leaders in the sound hardware and software industries. "The new application was an immediate hit," notes Carlton Guc, cofounder of Stage Research. "People told us RF Guru is what they've been waiting for."
The new tool has two key features. It informs wireless mic users setting up their systems of the maximum possible optimum frequencies they can safely use without interference, and it tells those with an existing wireless mic setup of any problems that might lead to intermod. When users give RF Guru their location, it will even take into account local TV signals practically anywhere around the globe. "RF Guru is a unique and invaluable tool for choosing wireless microphones for a new production or event and for testing for problems in a production that already has chosen frequencies," Guc reports.
Utilizing the editable catalogue of frequency manufacturers, RF Guru permits users to build a system of all available frequencies for a specific wireless system then run it through the RF Maximizer(tm) which narrows down the frequencies to the most they can use at any one time with no intermod problems. Included in RF Guru is the FCC database of TV antennas that can be added to the test to eliminate problems associated with TV frequencies.
RF Guru enables users to discover possible intermod problems, inch out one more available frequency, and maximize frequencies at busy venues. "Just enter the frequencies used in the Intermod Checker and RF Guru will indicate what frequencies may or may not affect other frequencies in your system," Guc explains. "If you really need to inch out just one more frequency you can select additional frequencies from the 'Bad Frequency' list and RF Guru will show you what other frequencies could affect or be affected by your choices so you can plan what frequencies to use simultaneously."
And when neighboring venues are using frequencies, "you just enter their frequencies in RF Guru and run the RF Maximizer(tm) to pick frequencies around the neighboring venue," he adds. "Or use RF Guru to help build neighboring venue frequencies so everyone gets to maximize frequencies with no problems." For users building a tour, RF Guru can maintain a route of venues, including TV data based on the zip code for each tour stop.
According to Guc, RF Guru is more effective
than other wireless mic tools on the market today for a number of reasons. "When calculating good frequencies that work together, RF Guru doesn't simply output the first set of numbers it finds," he points out. "Instead, it works its formulas until it finds the largest number of frequencies that do not conflict. When it finds conflicting frequencies it tells users why."
If users find themselves tapped out on good frequencies but still need more, RF Guru can help. After designing your system, if you need that extra frequency or two, RF Guru will help pick out the least bad frequency from the bad frequencies that can be used and it'll show you what frequencies to stay away from," adds Guc.
RF Guru also maintains a library of common wireless manufacturers and equipment and allows users to print out a report or customized labels with frequencies, actors, character names or more.
RF Guru will sell for $159 with an introductory offer for October only of $59.
About Stage Research
Stage Research is the developer of SFX, Soft Plot, Light Factory, ShowBuilder: Sound Design and other audio and lighting software. For more information, visit our website at www.StageResearch.com.