The Welsh National Opera (WNO) has recently taken delivery of a new wireless communications system, deploying the Clear-Com FreeSpeak solution for its new touring season.

The WNO's previous analogue radiocomm system was also supplied by Orbital some six years ago and was due for replacement , as older analogue radiocomms fall far short of the stability and technology available in modern products now available at sensible prices. After looking at several system options, Clear-Com's flagship wireless communications FreeSpeak system was selected as the best option, complementing the WNO's existing Clear-Com wired comms system.

Head of Lighting and Sound, Ian Jones, explains:
"We have had issues in the past with digital delay that you can get with badly designed wireless systems. However, when we tested FreeSpeak, the delay was absolutly imperceptible and it was without doubt the best system we had ever heard. We are currently also field testing FreeSpeak on our spring tour, with the intention of rolling out the full system during April when we return to Cardiff."

More on the WNO's FreeSpeak system in the summer issue of the Spin.