I am looking for a comfortable, not-that-expensive and washable pouch to hold standard Sennheiser and Audio-Technica bodypacks for a musical productions. On the past shows I have designed, I have always been able to avoid using a pouch, either by having pockets built into the inside of the costume or, if a female cast member wants it this way, just clipping the pack to the inside of their bra strap. I know that I can ace wrap it to the inside of their thigh but I only like to do this if they are wearing a really tight dress because I am guessing it is on the uncomfortable end of the spectrum. I was thinking about sewing some from muslin and elastic but that seems like a lot of work if I can avoid it. Anyway, what do y'all theatre guys use?
Bodypack Pouch
- Thread starter Matthew Haber
- Start date
Re: Bodypack Pouch
I've used:
elastic strips with velcro
garter belts
I've been out of the theatre game for a while now, so I might have forgotten a few.
I've used:
elastic strips with velcro
garter belts
I've been out of the theatre game for a while now, so I might have forgotten a few.
Re: Bodypack Pouch
Can you elaborate? Are you just clipping to one that is already part of the costume or are you asking cast members to wear one expressly for mic pack holding purposes.
Can you elaborate? Are you just clipping to one that is already part of the costume or are you asking cast members to wear one expressly for mic pack holding purposes.
Re: Bodypack Pouch
In a professional environment you're seldom allowed to add any clothing that the designer hasn't approved.
I usually worked with the costume designer to find the least obtrusive and most comfortable placement.
The most important consideration, is whether or not it works with the costume.
For instance, with tight dance outfits you can pretty much forget placing the transmitter anywhere except the small of the back without ruining the dancer's silhouette.
In a professional environment you're seldom allowed to add any clothing that the designer hasn't approved.
I usually worked with the costume designer to find the least obtrusive and most comfortable placement.
The most important consideration, is whether or not it works with the costume.
For instance, with tight dance outfits you can pretty much forget placing the transmitter anywhere except the small of the back without ruining the dancer's silhouette.
Re: Bodypack Pouch
There's a Google Group for theatre sound-
http://groups.google.com/group/theatre-sound-list
You'll recognize some of the regulars... John Huntington, Mac Kerr, Steve Devino, Henry Cohen.
You can search the group archive, and you'll get several hits back. Originally an email list-serve, the info page at http://www.brooklyn.com/theatre-sound/ has lots of links and a couple of them might prove helpful to you.
I do a fair bit of youth theatre, and the wardrobe moms built a bunch of pouch belts from muslin (for the transmitter pouches, they have velcro closures), 2'' elastic strap and 2'' velcro. The pouches are sewn to the middle of the elastic strap and about 6'' of the wide velcro is sewn to the ends of the elastic. They made them in 3 sizes (cast on mics tend to be 11-18 y/o) and numbered them so the same actor gets the same belt after wardrobe launders them. That's the classic way. You can do thigh packs and other placements with variations on this theme.
There are other treatments you may need for your transmitter, like condoms or plastic bags (sometimes with cotton rolls or desiccants) before they go into the pouch if you have sweaty actors or transmitters that don't like moisture (to some degree, that's nearly all of them).
Have fun, good luck.
Tim Mc
There's a Google Group for theatre sound-
http://groups.google.com/group/theatre-sound-list
You'll recognize some of the regulars... John Huntington, Mac Kerr, Steve Devino, Henry Cohen.
You can search the group archive, and you'll get several hits back. Originally an email list-serve, the info page at http://www.brooklyn.com/theatre-sound/ has lots of links and a couple of them might prove helpful to you.
I do a fair bit of youth theatre, and the wardrobe moms built a bunch of pouch belts from muslin (for the transmitter pouches, they have velcro closures), 2'' elastic strap and 2'' velcro. The pouches are sewn to the middle of the elastic strap and about 6'' of the wide velcro is sewn to the ends of the elastic. They made them in 3 sizes (cast on mics tend to be 11-18 y/o) and numbered them so the same actor gets the same belt after wardrobe launders them. That's the classic way. You can do thigh packs and other placements with variations on this theme.
There are other treatments you may need for your transmitter, like condoms or plastic bags (sometimes with cotton rolls or desiccants) before they go into the pouch if you have sweaty actors or transmitters that don't like moisture (to some degree, that's nearly all of them).
Have fun, good luck.
Tim Mc
Re: Bodypack Pouch
We need pouches that won't absorb sweat, in the hope that this will keep the sweat away from the pack (we had an EW100 pack damaged by sweat incursion (corrosion on the PCB). Senny were nice though and fixed it under warranty (and it was two months past).
We need pouches that won't absorb sweat, in the hope that this will keep the sweat away from the pack (we had an EW100 pack damaged by sweat incursion (corrosion on the PCB). Senny were nice though and fixed it under warranty (and it was two months past).
Re: Bodypack Pouch
TP-
I recall someone making pouches out of the material that picnic table covers are made from... vinyl-ish of the top side but with a flocked cotton or polyester underside. Sew the pouch with the vinyl side in, and the cotton on the outside.
There are also neoprene pouches, IIRC.
Make music, not corrosion.
Tim Mc
TP-
I recall someone making pouches out of the material that picnic table covers are made from... vinyl-ish of the top side but with a flocked cotton or polyester underside. Sew the pouch with the vinyl side in, and the cotton on the outside.
There are also neoprene pouches, IIRC.
Make music, not corrosion.
Tim Mc
Jonathan Martin
Little Lebowski Achiever
Re: Bodypack Pouch
And I happen to know there are some others lurking.
For the OP . . . get with your wardrobe department early. Often I just give them a transmitter for a template and let them decide as to the best solution for the given performer. (make sure to tell them to allow a little extra room if you plan on wrapping the transmitter in a condom)
If the performer wears the same wig for the whole show I often try to have a pouch sewn into the wig cap and put the entire rig under the wig. If there are a lot of costume changes you will need an undergarment solution.
The bottom line is you need to communicate your needs to the wardrobe department (placement, double transmitters, etc.) and work closely with them to find the right solution. As for the actual construction, they should take care of that for you.
Jake
And I happen to know there are some others lurking.
For the OP . . . get with your wardrobe department early. Often I just give them a transmitter for a template and let them decide as to the best solution for the given performer. (make sure to tell them to allow a little extra room if you plan on wrapping the transmitter in a condom)
If the performer wears the same wig for the whole show I often try to have a pouch sewn into the wig cap and put the entire rig under the wig. If there are a lot of costume changes you will need an undergarment solution.
The bottom line is you need to communicate your needs to the wardrobe department (placement, double transmitters, etc.) and work closely with them to find the right solution. As for the actual construction, they should take care of that for you.
Jake
Re: Bodypack Pouch
To clarify, I understand that having wardrobe deal with this is more-or-less standard practice. I have been a SD for a bunch of shows in the past and that is all well and good. I always condom my mic packs (Durex non-lube) and on past productions, packs have been placed in all manner of pockets courtesy of the costumers as well as in wigs, hats, and ace wrapped to thighs.
In this particular instance, having wardrobe handle this is not going to be possible. This show is a really short run, the costume department can't/won't modify any of the costumes for reasons that I am still unclear on, and they basically told me to deal with the mic packs however I want. As such, two cast members have asked to have it clipped to their bra strap and one will have it on their thigh. That leave ten others who need it to go in a pouch which is what prompted this post.
Jonathan, I have seen the Professional Wireless one in the past and that is probably what I will go with if I don't find a cheaper or better option. They look pretty nice.
To clarify, I understand that having wardrobe deal with this is more-or-less standard practice. I have been a SD for a bunch of shows in the past and that is all well and good. I always condom my mic packs (Durex non-lube) and on past productions, packs have been placed in all manner of pockets courtesy of the costumers as well as in wigs, hats, and ace wrapped to thighs.
In this particular instance, having wardrobe handle this is not going to be possible. This show is a really short run, the costume department can't/won't modify any of the costumes for reasons that I am still unclear on, and they basically told me to deal with the mic packs however I want. As such, two cast members have asked to have it clipped to their bra strap and one will have it on their thigh. That leave ten others who need it to go in a pouch which is what prompted this post.
Jonathan, I have seen the Professional Wireless one in the past and that is probably what I will go with if I don't find a cheaper or better option. They look pretty nice.
Re: Bodypack Pouch
In that case I would sew some generic belt packs. A 2''-3'' elastic band around the waist with a pouch large enough for the transmitter is pretty standard. A velcro tab to keep the transmitter in place is helpful.
In that case I would sew some generic belt packs. A 2''-3'' elastic band around the waist with a pouch large enough for the transmitter is pretty standard. A velcro tab to keep the transmitter in place is helpful.
RYAN LOUDMUSIC JENKINS
Sophomore
Re: Bodypack Pouch
MiPro Makes some with an adjustable belt that supposedly works with all bodypacks. It is made for ''Aerobics'' but says they are also good for theatre and stage. Part Number ASP-10
I am doing an order this week or next from them. If you are interested in them, let me know.
MiPro Makes some with an adjustable belt that supposedly works with all bodypacks. It is made for ''Aerobics'' but says they are also good for theatre and stage. Part Number ASP-10
I am doing an order this week or next from them. If you are interested in them, let me know.
Re: Bodypack Pouch
NeoPax makes some strap/pouches that are pretty inexpensive and work well:
http://neopax.biz/products.html
NeoPax makes some strap/pouches that are pretty inexpensive and work well:
http://neopax.biz/products.html
Re: Bodypack Pouch
Those look pretty nice. I hadn't seen them before so thanks for pointing them out.
Those look pretty nice. I hadn't seen them before so thanks for pointing them out.
Re: Bodypack Pouch
We use something similar. www.monacor.de/typo3/index.php?id=84&L=1&artid=6837&spr=EN&typ=full But then our area is more amateur rather than professional and these you can throw at someone to stick under a costume with not much hassle. Perfect fit for a G2/G3 senny pack, made out of neoprene (or something very similar). Only issue we have is they're just too damn large for most the people we have through. Going to get our wardrobe
department to make them a bit smaller once they've got some spare time.
We get them from CPC here in the UK. Sure they'll have distributers near yourself.
HTH
We use something similar. www.monacor.de/typo3/index.php?id=84&L=1&artid=6837&spr=EN&typ=full But then our area is more amateur rather than professional and these you can throw at someone to stick under a costume with not much hassle. Perfect fit for a G2/G3 senny pack, made out of neoprene (or something very similar). Only issue we have is they're just too damn large for most the people we have through. Going to get our wardrobe
department to make them a bit smaller once they've got some spare time.
We get them from CPC here in the UK. Sure they'll have distributers near yourself.
HTH
Re: Bodypack Pouch
Hi Rob-
Nice but bulky. I like things that don't have buckles that can show under costume or make the ''talent'' uncomfortable, so these and the neoprene unit linked in another post have the same ''fail.'' I see other uses for it, though. Thanks for the link.
I'm envisioning a thin neoprene pouch on an elastic belt with velcro closures (belt and pouch). I think I need to make a visit to my local industrial surplus yard and talk to my favorite wardrobe stitcher.
Have fun, good luck.
Tim Mc
Hi Rob-
Nice but bulky. I like things that don't have buckles that can show under costume or make the ''talent'' uncomfortable, so these and the neoprene unit linked in another post have the same ''fail.'' I see other uses for it, though. Thanks for the link.
I'm envisioning a thin neoprene pouch on an elastic belt with velcro closures (belt and pouch). I think I need to make a visit to my local industrial surplus yard and talk to my favorite wardrobe stitcher.
Have fun, good luck.
Tim Mc
Re: Bodypack Pouch
These are pretty good. http://www.remoteaudio.com/wireless_pouch_kit/
You can get them at B&H Photo (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?ci=9758&N=4291074638+4291258035)
These are pretty good. http://www.remoteaudio.com/wireless_pouch_kit/
You can get them at B&H Photo (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?ci=9758&N=4291074638+4291258035)
Re: Bodypack Pouch
This option also has the plus of sending the most hated person in the theater to the store for a ton of condoms and batteries.
Don't forget the condoms, non-lubricated of course...
Peace
This option also has the plus of sending the most hated person in the theater to the store for a ton of condoms and batteries.
Re: Bodypack Pouch
This option also has the plus of sending the most hated person in the theater to the store for a ton of condoms and batteries.