By Dave MacKinnon, VP of Product Management
For theater and sound designers, coordinating complex productions, often across multiple stages or venues, can be a technical challenge. Our LQ Series IP interfaces provide a scalable solution that transforms how productions handle backstage and FOH communications.
What is LQ?
The LQ Series is a suite of Audio-over-IP (AoIP) interfaces that move and distribute audio and intercom signals over LAN, WAN, or the Internet. LQ allows geographically dispersed devices, from beltpacks to intercom panels, to communicate with near-zero latency and high audio quality, allowing teams to scale their communications infrastructure quickly and efficiently.
Why LQ Matters for Theater
- Simplified Setup: LQ reduces the need for heavy cabling; all connections are virtual over your network. Whether deploying beltpacks or connecting intercom panels, it’s a plug-and-play experience.
- Reliable Communications Anywhere: LQ operates efficiently on standard IP networks without overloading IT infrastructure, even in large venues or multi-site productions.
- Scalable Systems: Expand your intercom footprint effortlessly. LQ supports both analog and digital partyline systems, integrates with SIP telephony and mobile apps, and allows multiple endpoints to work together seamlessly.
- Platform Agnostic: Connect any intercom or audio device, regardless of brand, over 2-wire, 4-wire, GPIO, or IP platforms.
Real-World Theater Applications
1. West End & Broadway Productions
Major productions like Stranger Things: The First Shadow, Back to the Future, and MJ the Musical in London, as well as U.S. tours such as Shucked and & Juliet, have deployed IP Transceivers with LQ interfaces. These systems allow:
- Up to 10 FreeSpeak® II wireless beltpacks per transceiver, meeting dense backstage communication needs.
- Seamless roaming of beltpacks across multi-zone performance areas.
- Integration with Dante for show audio, reducing hardware requirements.
- Direct LQ connections to remote production elements for flexible and scalable setups.
2. Alley Theatre, Houston
At Alley Theatre, LQ interfaces complement Arcadia Central Station, FreeSpeak II, and HelixNet systems to cover two theaters totaling 75,000 sq. ft. LQ enables:
- Distributed communications for stage managers, FOH mixers, automation, and technical teams.
- Scalable configurations for intimate productions or large-scale shows.
- Wireless coverage for 16+ beltpacks simultaneously, ensuring uninterrupted collaboration during technically complex performances like A Christmas Carol.
3. David H. Koch Theater, Lincoln Center
During the 2024 Tony Awards, LQ Series IP interfaces bridged the production communication system with the theater’s existing infrastructure, providing:
- Utilization of the in-house IP network without running hundreds of feet of new cabling.
- Integration of FreeSpeak II wireless transceivers with Eclipse® HX digital matrix panels.
- Reliable communication across wired and wireless endpoints, supporting precise coordination for crew and performers.
Incorporating LQ Into Your Workflow
- Pre-Production: Map audio endpoints and determine which LQ interfaces will connect remote areas or backstage teams.
- On-Site Setup: Deploy LQ interfaces at key positions; link devices over IP without complex rewiring.
- Remote Collaboration: Use LQ virtual clients for remote access by designers, directors, or production staff, improving coordination during rehearsals and live shows.
- System Management: Leverage LQ’s intuitive configuration tools to monitor audio distribution, troubleshoot issues, and adjust setups in real-time.
Conclusion
For theater and sound designers, LQ empowers teams to focus on creative vision rather than technical limitations. By providing reliable, scalable, and networked communication, LQ ensures that productions can achieve precise coordination, flawless collaboration, and exceptional live performance experiences.