Audio Assist: What Are IFB, Comteks And Camera Hops? Plus, Taking A Look At The Zoom F4 Mixer/Recorder
Communication on a set is a big deal. If you haven’t worked in larger productions, you should know the most common audio concern besides miking and recording talent for the production is on-set communication.
In my experience, this type of communication can be divided into two main categories, plus a third smaller category, which is mainly used for documentary-types of productions and reality shows:
1. Communications From The Director, AD And Producer
The first is communication from the director, AD and producer to the crew. Although the days of directors wielding megaphones are a bit past their prime, directors and especially assistant directors still need to have on-point communication with their crews.
IFB, or interruptible foldback (IFB), is also known as interruptible feedback, interrupted fold back or interrupt for broadcast. In essence, it’s a monitoring-and-cueing system used in television, filmmaking and video production for one-way communication from the director or assistant director to on-air talent or a remote location. The IFB is a special intercom circuit that consists of
