Volvo Ocean Race 2011-2012
On Board Media Equipment - Microphones and Talkback

Capturing and managing audio is one of the most difficult aspects of many outside broadcasts and racing yachts complicate this several times over. Under the extreme conditions experienced on the yachts, there is a difficult balance between intelligible speech and high quality audio.

The approach taken for the Volvo 2011-2012 race was to consider a number of different categories and adopt the best technology to suit; as illustrated by the following scenarios:

Harsh weather conditions: bowman and skipper discussing the problems with a sail change:

This scenario requires the audio equipment to offer the crew a benefit in the form of intercom and for the media desk to ‘listen in’ on the conversation. The equipment must be easy to deploy and not physically restrictive. For this application a wireless Talkback system is used with a high degree of digital filtering and highly directional microphone.

Fair weather conditions: Live interview with captain in the hatchway:

A live interview delivered over the satellite, the key is intelligible speech in both directions under high background noise. For this a professional headset is used with a highly directional microphone and closed headphones.

Good conditions: Above/below decks interview with crew members:

Good conditions allow the use of the professional gun microphone and windjammer, either directly to the Media Desk or with a hand held camera.

Extreme conditions: Yacht broaches:

In extreme conditions the fixed waterproof microphones are the only option. These record ambient sound in the hatchway and stern areas. They have a high degree of isolation from structural noise transmitted through the hull and a built in windjammer to reduce wind noise.