Running my Marching Band rehearsal with Bluetooth!
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Sphere: Related ContentIt had to happen…Bluetooth meets Marching Band! Over the summer, I went a little gadget crazy and purchased a Motorola DC800 stereo bluetooth gateway and a NaviPlay stereo bluetooth adapter. When you clicked on the links, you probably said “Why on earth did you spend $300 on those contraptions to beat up on the marching field?” Here’s the thing- I spent a grand total of $60 for BOTH!
I have been keeping my eye on them ever since they made their debut in Radio Shack last year (at full price). Being a technology realist (no, really…) I knew that the world of bluetooth was still at least a generation away from making it to the mainstream. After all, look around and all you see are those little bluetooth earpieces- hardly scratching the surface of it’s potential. With the advent of the A2DP stereo bluetooth profile, there are a whole host of great handsfree stereo options on the way.
Now for the application:
I use the setup to “run” my marching band rehearsal (actually, we have a drum and bugle corps…but that’s a long story…). When we have learned a section of drill, I take out my ipod and click the song we are working on- either the “pro” demo recording or a recording of my group playing and voila! We are marching to the beat of a different drummer! Since the unit works up to a 30 foot radius (actually it’s more- I haven’t found the limit yet) I can be up on my tower broadcasting to the portable PA on the 50 yard line.
Some of you may be saying “I can do the same thing with a really long patch cord for a fraction of the price!” yes, but then I wouldn’t be the Digital Music Educator! Besides, who wants to have a student trip over your wire?
-Owen Bradley
Visit Owen Bradley’s music & technology site:
digitalmusiceducator.wordpress.com
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[tags]bluetooth, marching band, music rehearsal, owen bradley, mustech.net, a2dp ,stereo bluetooth adapter [/tags]
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September 17th, 2007 at 8:36 pm
[...] Running my Marching Band rehearsal with Bluetooth! (tags: music technology marching band bluetooth education) [...]
September 17th, 2007 at 10:18 pm
Owen,
Just wanted to let you know that I ordered a DC800 after your article “soaked in”. I am looking forward to using it and exploring the possibilities with regard to our music/arts program(s). I found the new on amazon for $45.00. Seemed like a good price.
Keep the faith! I appreciate all of your great articles and vidcasts…
J. Pisano