BSP (Best Solution Possible?)

Big Shot Productions is a small time company specialising in radio automation software and other applications. Its main product, BSP Studio, is installed in a number of stations around the UK and is mainly focused at community and student radio audiences, the company has progressed well and the software is still in development, it was the main selling point of BSP - until now.

According to the website (see below), BSP can create and install a customisable microphone pulley system for £100 per unit. A snip compared to other competitors (which are hard, if not impossible to find!).

This ingenious idea gives the presenter the ability to move their mic anywhere within a certain area and it will sit it place, suspended in mid-air. The XLR cables from the microphones then run up into sockets which are installed in the ceiling, ran through the ceiling, then down again at a convienient point and finally up into the mixer. The use of 30lb fishing wire ensures that the weights holding the microphones are very safe, hanging silently to the side of the room. Furthermore, the advantage of silence is a great asset to the presenter, gone are the days of the creaky 'lamp arm' mic stands which would easily ruin the flow of a link if moved. The cables running into the ceiling also means any sound travelling through the desk will not run up into the mic, e.g. a mug placed on the surface or even the presenter moving a mouse. In my opinion the best advantage is the look of the design, when not in use the microphones still well out of the way up on the ceiling, and to pull them down to speaking level (standing or seated) is effortless, and more importantly, silent.
The design is not unique by any means, Radio 1 are probably the most well known purveyors of this technology, but other commercial stations follow suit also. However with the introduction of the system on such a budget, it will not be long before these new additions to a studio become industry standard.

To view BSP's summary of the devices click here

Below is a video of a BSP employee explaining the process, with questionable commentary skills.