Press Boxes

Press Boxes!

When Press Conferences are held on campus, it is common for a "Press Box" to be requested. You may also hear them called "Mult. boxes" due to their ability to multiply a single channel of audio output from a mixer.

This box allows local media folk (Think TV Channels 2, 6, 8, 10 and 12) to plug into the existing sound system and capture the audio for their recording devices- All without getting in your way. Knowledge and use of these boxes is important because the audio you produce on the board is many times the audio which is used in your local news cast.

In CAVET we have 3 kinds of Press boxes.

A. Passive Line in, Mic out boxes
B. Passive Straight pass thru (My term)
C. Active Pressbox with selectable line/mic leve inputs and outputs

A. The Passive Line in, Mic out box is non powered and requires that you have a line level output on your mixer to the box. It will then duplicate the signal to multiple XLR outputs at a mic level. The number of outputs depends on the model you are using. These XLR outputs are made available to local press so that they can record your audio mix from the board. You cannot plug a mic directly into this box.

B. The Passive Straight pass thru is also non powered and will accept a mic level signal. That signal will be reproduced as a mic level signal to all of the outputs on the box. No Mixer is necessary.

C. The Active Press box with selectable line/mic level inputs and outputs requires power from a wall outlet. You must select the input as line or mic depending on your source. Local media outlets can then plug into any of the 6 XLR outputs and independently select line or mic level to their recording device. Individual output channels also have a gain/attenuation control to adjust the audio level. These outputs should all be set at "Unity Gain" What this means is: If you put a line signal into the press box at +4 dB, the signal coming out of a line level output should also be +4 dB; Nothing should be added or taken away from the signal.
If you have questions about how to use one of these boxes, please consult with Jeff, look them up online, or just make arrangement to test one out.