QampA with Benedict Sweeney

How long has Hosa been around?

Hosa Technology Inc commenced business as a one man operation in June 1984, so in 2010 we celebrate our 26^th year of operation in servicing the musical instrument and pro audio markets.

What other companies are part of Hosa? And what do they do?

Hosa is the principle business which also incorporates two subsidiary brands, Zaolla Silverline and Goby Labs, and distributed brands CAIG Laboratories (US), Neutrik (LI) and Da-Cappo Micro Microphones (AU).

Zaolla is our flagship premium boutique line of solid-silver cables, which in effect is a custom shop with the ability to terminate, with quality connectors, some of the best cable for signal quality and continuity money can buy.

Goby Labs came about through a partnership with CAIG Labs and offers an environmentally friendly range of cleaners, conditioners and sanitisers for instruments, microphones and more. They are water based and 100 per cent trusted on vintage instruments and finishes.

Neutrik is synonymous with professional-grade and innovative connectivity solutions and we’re proud to be part of its master distribution network. Our best cables are terminated with Neutrik connectors in both our Zaolla and Hosa lines and we also offer in bulk for those looking to terminate in the field or have a passion for soldering.

Da-Cappo Micro Microphones is an Australian based company that specialises in broadcast-quality, head-worn and lapel microphones for use in broadcast, theatre, ministries and spoken word applications. Superb sonic reproduction is afforded by a high-quality Danish element that provides high intelligibility and transparency. This line integrates into the majority of the wireless solutions currently available on the market through an interchangeable series of adapters.

Who distributes your products in Asia?

Hi End Technology for China, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Macau, BGW Guitars in Singapore, Sound House in Japan and Intelliware in Australia distribute our Hosa, Zaolla, CAIG and Neutrik lines. We’re the appointed distributor in the Americas for Da-Cappo.

Do you feel education is necessary for houses of worship on cable selection and usage?

Education is the basis for any informed decision and a degree of knowledge is absolutely required in all facets of connectivity, particularly when you’re installing over longer distances and incorporating multimedia technologies. This often requires a combination of power, audio, video, lighting and security components, so connection and control is fundamental! Whether you’re a hobbyist or the most seasoned professional you need to ensure your signal path is secure and won’t cause reliability or signal degradation problems down the track.

Obviously budgets play a major part in the decision making process and yet time and time again we see this as being an afterthought in the implementation process. You can have the latest and greatest piece of hardware with tremendous specs however putting the incorrect cable or choosing a “junk” cable in the signal chain will cause all sorts of woes ranging from pops, crackles, intermittent sound, image noise, delayed or incorrect cues through to electrocution. Not to mention the anguish and distractions it can cause to the talent.

What are common mistakes you see regarding cable usage in houses of worship?

Cable care or maintenance is the most common issue where cables aren’t rolled properly after a performance. This can cause internal breakages to the either the conductor or shielding, which in turn affects the overall integrity of the jacket. This then leads to cables that won’t lie correctly on the floor, which in and of itself can cause a possible safety hazard through tripping, and furthermore reduces the lifespan of the cable.

There are myriad ways a simple oversight in handling (or cable choice) can lead to a catastrophic conclusion. Another area to be extremely careful is when connecting any equipment that outputs electrical voltage. This can be lethal if not treated with the true caution it requires.

Are there any trends that you see regarding cable and/or connector development?

Digital capture and transmission has been developing steadily over the past decade or so and has matured enough where it is now permeating most aspects of live production. Optical fibre and Cat5 and Cat6 have seen a tremendous boom in the infrastructure side of the equation. However, we’ve yet to really see that in the general interconnect side of things. This will be an area to keep your eye on with regards cable. Combination connectors or more ergonomic designs, such as in Neutrik’s range, is where we’ll continue to see innovation as people look for faster and safer ways to connect equipment.

What are the aspects of a good quality cable (What types of things should you look for in a cable)?

Specifications rule supreme, and they are followed by ruggedness and handling. You want the thickest conductor to transport the signal, the best shielding to prevent unwanted noise or disruption to the signal, connectors with high tolerances (tight connection between female and male couplings) and decent strain relief. Every time a cable is connected or disconnected to another piece of equipment there is strain placed on the devices as they are pulled, pushed or rotated. If the point of solder, from the conductor to the connector, isn’t protected or supported sufficiently this will eventually cause a break, which unfortunately might happen during a sermon or performance. This could manifest in damage to equipment, ears and egos!

Why are good quality cables important in a HOW?

It’s all about communication, and the key to this, as is proven through studies, is for the audience or congregation to be able to clearly hear and see the message. You also want to ensure, from a production viewpoint, that there is consistency in both the management and design of the installation and equipment. Think of cables like you do performance tires on a race car. Without constant contact with the road surface you become unable to control the direction or speed of the vehicle. Cables are similar to this as they need to be able to assist the production without being front of mind—kind of like an insurance policy.

Hosa also distributes Da-Cappo microphones. What features help make these suited for the house of worship market?

Obviously the intelligibility aspect of a microphone is critical to any purchase decision. We utilise an element that originates from the medical and hearing-aid sector that means our intelligibility is rated with the best of the best.

We pride ourselves on comfort and fit and the DA12BE in particular, our biggest seller, is hugely popular with ministers, as they can move around freely without being aware of the mic and, more importantly, it doesn’t require additional tape and won’t dislodge when you turn your head or take spectacles off. Furthermore each component (cable, adaptor, clip, pop filter) is interchangeable and you can integrate each model into all the major wireless brands by selecting from the variety of adaptors that are available.

From a technical viewpoint this means the venue is not tied down to one particular wireless solution and can also include touring rider equipment, through changing out the wireless adaptor portion only for compatibility, should there be a complete and closed system introduced into the environment. There are several additional benefits, including zero handling noise with the cable, fully water-resistant elements with the omni capsules (ideal for more humid or salty environments) and, lastly, the ability to alter the boom length and ear piece to fit the user.

What are the conditions where a lavalier mic would be preferred in a HOW?

The use of lavalieres is predominantly an aesthetic one these days, in my opinion. The most likely reason for not choosing a head-worn mic would be mainly for cosmetic reasons – not wanting the microphone to be seen on the talent. There may be the odd occasion, say during a wedding, where the additional pickup of a lavaliere may compliment the capturing of vows by a videographer, but even then we have a better solution by utilising the DA11 “Stick” mic and placing that into the center crease of the bible, facing towards the bride and groom, and thus capturing the vows.

What are the conditions when an earset mic would be applicable for a house of worship?

Anytime there is a need to amplify the speaker’s voice and where there is a single presenter. Our design does allow for fast changes, if sharing with other congregational members or clergy, and the ability to sanitise using alcohol swabs or our Goby Labs microphone sanitiser spray means you can be confident in sharing the earset. I would say at present an earset mic is going to be the best solution for the pastor, the audio technician and the congregation without a doubt.

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