Discovering Wavetool 3: Revolutionizing Live Audio and Wireless Microphone Management

When it comes to live audio, having the right tools is paramount, especially for those managing wireless microphones. Enter Wavetool 3—a game-changer in the world of audio engineering. My journey with Wavetool began about a year ago, and it has completely transformed the way I approach my work.

The First Encounter

I first encountered Wavetool 3 at an event in Sydney. Although I had heard of it before, I had never used it until then. Initially, I was handed a rental kit with a Mac mini and no touch screen, making it a bit challenging to get accustomed to. However, as I began to explore its features, I quickly realized its potential and usefulness.

A Journey Through RF Coordination

Let’s rewind to five years ago when I truly immersed myself in the world of RF. Mic-up became my primary responsibility on almost every job, and I delved deep into the intricacies of RF coordination. It became clear that having my own cueing rack would be invaluable—one that wasn’t limited to a specific audio protocol but could function across multiple platforms. I envisioned a compact, feature-packed system that could handle any project size, ensuring I could perform at my best.

Diving Deeper with Wavetool

After my initial experience, I opted for a three-day trial of Wavetool to explore its capabilities further. This trial coincided with a TEDx Sydney event at the iconic Sydney Town Hall. The training videos from Shure were particularly helpful, breaking down each feature and guiding me through the software. Shure: Wavetool - Part 1 Audio Device & Control Network Setup | Shure

Shure: Wavetool - Part 2 Main Window & Timeline | Shure

Shure: Wavetool - Part 3 Channel I/O | Shure

Shure: Wavetool - Part 4 iOS & macOS Clients | Shure

Shure: Wavetool - Part 5 Chat | Shure

Shure: Wavetool - Part 6 Groups & Snapshots | Shure

Shure: Wavetool - Part 7 Mic Check | Shure

Shure: Wavetool - Part 8 Players | Shure

Shure: Wavetool - Part 9 Licensing | Shure

Major Projects and Unmatched Performance

One of the major projects where Wavetool truly shined was "School of Rock" at Qudos Arena. This venue, one of Sydney’s largest, required managing numerous channels. Using a Digigrid MGB, which provided 128 channels over MADI from the Digico monitor console, I discovered my love for Wavetool. We set it up to send cued audio back to the console, which the Monitor Engineer, Justin Arthur, sent to my IEMs. The cueing setup was a dream, working flawlessly for the application.

Building the Ultimate Wavetool Rack

Over several gigs, I encountered a few challenges with touch drivers for Mac and the need for an audio interface for my IEMs. Determined to perfect my setup, I sourced a compatible touch screen and achieved the IEM setup I had always envisioned. I’ll delve into more details about this is in a blog listed at the bottom of this one, but suffice it to say, my Wavetool rack is now everything I hoped it would be.

Why Wavetool Stands Out

Wavetool combines audio signal and RF data for each channel, providing battery info, peak data, and antenna info—all in one place. You can even add a picture of the microphone user for easy identification. One standout feature is the ability to listen to the last five minutes of audio on selected channels, which is incredibly useful for identifying issues like pops or microphone problems.

Wavetool is versatile, interfacing with any audio design your laptop can handle. Whether using a MADI audio interface like the MGB box or integrating Dante, Wavetool seamlessly combines audio feeds with RF data, supporting devices like Axient Digital, ULXD, and more.

The Future of Live Audio

Wavetool is a groundbreaking tool, merging audio feeds with real-time RF information. I’m incredibly grateful for its creation and how it has elevated my work.

If you have any questions about Wavetool or are interested in purchasing it, feel free to email me at Jess@rfqueens.net. I’d be happy to help. Also, check out RF Queens on Instagram.

Links Mentioned in the Blog

Stay tuned for more insights and updates on my journey with Wavetool and other exciting projects in the world of live audio!

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