The microphones are part of the 'sim tran' set up so it is no problem to record what is said on the floor or in the booths. This can result in a recording of the floor in the original languages and any or all of the individual languages. (in this case the tape will be in a single language whether it originates from the floor or the booth)
A video recording can also be made, and again the sound track can be in one language or the languages used on the floor. These recordings of the interpreters will usually be used as a rough cut with a final voiceover being used for the final tape.
Simultaneous interpretation systems have to have microphones, so nothing is simpler than adding a loudspeaker system to them, then in addition to having clear, natural speech for the simultaneous interpreters the same quality is heard in the meeting room.
Sao Khue technicians lead the installation teams, ensuring that equipment is installed safely, meets the requirements of the clients and is fully tested. During the meeting the technician operates the system to ensure its optimum operation for clear and natural speech. The other important role for the engineer is to facilitate the interface between the interpreters and the organisers and the delegates so that the event runs smoothly.
The number of Interpretation booths required at any event will depend upon the number of languages to be used and the working method of the team of simultaneous interpreters.
Sao Khue are not committed to any single range of simultaneous interpretation equipment suppliers and so have selected a range of interpreters consoles, from the DCN industry standard to individual consoles manufactured in-house for very small set-ups.
Sao Khue uses a wireless system which uses the infrared spectrum to transmit audio signals to the delegate receivers. The system behaves like light, reflecting off solid walls and surfaces and traveling through open spaces and transparent materials.
The transmission is distributed from infrared radiators installed round a room on stands or hanging from ceiling bars. The number and positioning of the radiators depends upon the number of channels to be transmitted, the size of the area to be covered and the texture and colour of the walls.
Because of the bandwidth of each channel transmitted, infrared provides true voice reproduction of simultaneous interpreters, speakers and other original sound sources, such as Powerpoint presentations.
Interpretation systems must use microphones to enable the interpreters to follow the proceedings. The microphones can also be used for PA systems and recording the event on audio or video cassettes.
The style of conference or meeting will dictate the range of microphones to be installed, which may be any or a combination of the following :
Question and Answer microphones which are hand held and can be taken to members of an audience when they want to speak.
Stand microphones, which are placed around a conference hall for the audience to walk up to when asking questions.
Typically each delegate has a headset, comprising a small boxed receiver and light weight headset. Receivers can tune into a range of channels (6 to 16) by using a simple switch and individual volume levels are selected with a gain control.
As seen on TV, at the United Nations, the European Parliament and at the EU, interpretation systems link a speaker using one language to listeners using one or more other languages via interpreters sitting in booths. The multi-lingual interpreters are able to work because they are enabled to listen to the speaker via a microphone system and their interpretation can be received on headsets by listeners using radio or infrared transmission systems or plugged into a cable network.
Sao Khue introduced the original infrared transmission system to the UK short-term hire market in 1979 for use as a simultaneous interpretation system. Infrared is now the accepted industry standard system for ‘sim. Tran.’ Systems.
The elements to make up a simultaneous translation system are: