Production sound mixer Mark LeBlanc relies on antennas from RF Venue for on-set sound capture

— Since discovering RF Venue^®’s Diversity Fin^® antenna, LeBlanc has added their CP Beam™ and RF Spotlight™ antennas to his RF toolkit. He says, “Having the ability to deploy the right antenna for a given location has proven invaluable.” —

Walpole, MA, USA, October 24, 2024 — Production sound mixer Mark LeBlanc has scores of credits to his name from his four decades of experience capturing sound in the high-pressure environs of film and television production sets, where wireless audio has evolved into the de-facto standard for gathering microphone signals. LeBlanc, a Cinema Audio Society and Television Academy member, recalls that in 2015, while on the set of the Fox Network’s Scream Queens, “episodic TV’s fast pace, combined with claustrophobic, small location choices, had me wishing for a smaller antenna solution that did not compromise performance.” LeBlanc found his solution in the innovative Diversity Fin antenna from RF Venue’s line of wireless audio essentials – which led in turn to his adoption of additional RF Venue antenna options for specific on-set applications. “Having the ability to deploy the right antenna for a given location has proven invaluable,” he declares.

“My local vendor sent me a Diversity Fin antenna to demo,” LeBlanc says of his original experience with the antenna. After a few days of testing the Diversity Fin’s ability to deliver true diversity reception from a single mounting point, along with its patented cross-polarized design that ensures dropout-free reception regardless of the angle of wireless bodypack (or handheld mic) antennas, LeBlanc bought the demo unit. “The compact antenna lets me place it directly in the shot, hidden in plain sight,” he exclaims. “Since my first Diversity Fin antenna, I have added RF Venue’s CP Beam and RF Spotlight antennas to my RF toolkit.” 

RF Venue’s CP Beam antenna deployed in a diversity configuration by production sound mixer Mark LeBlanc on the set of The Chosen

Production sound mixer Mark LeBlanc hid an RF Venue Diversity Fin antenna in plain sight in a fish monger’s netting on the set of The Chosen

Production sound mixer Mark LeBlanc and his rig, including a pole mounted RF Venue Diversity Fin antenna, on the set of The Chosen

Production Mixer Mark LeBlanc calls the Diversity Fin his “go-to antenna,” adding that he takes advantage of the 3/8-inch and mic stand mounting holes, and keeps various quick release systems handy, to quickly adapt to wherever the maximal antenna placement might be.

One of three problematic towers causing RF interference on the set of The Chosen, which production mixer Mark LeBlanc conquered with antennas from RF Venue.

“In 2023,” says LeBlanc, “I started working on The Chosen, a story set in Biblical times but shot in two of the most RF challenging locations of my career. The main stages and exterior backlot sets are located on top of a hill outside of Midlothian, Texas. We are surrounded by radio, TV and other transmission towers on all sides. Also, the sets are built with solid rock, held in place with chicken wire and cement. These issues push my wireless to the limit.”

LeBlanc calls the Diversity Fin his “go-to antenna,” as it is easy to hide and delivers excellent reception. “I take advantage of the 3/8-inch and microphone mounting holes, and keep various quick release systems handy, to quickly adapt to wherever the maximal antenna placement might be.”

While RF Venue’s circularly polarized, high-gain CP Beam antenna was developed primarily for wireless in-ear monitor signal transmission, the antenna has found favor in wireless mic applications where directionality and reach are particularly important. “While on stage, the CP Beam allows me to track the actors through our large, newly built ‘Roman’ sets,” says LeBlanc. “The sets are 30 to 40 yards deep for some shots.”

Production mixer Mark LeBlanc’s first use of RF Venue wireless audio essentials was with a Diversity Fin antenna on the set of Fox Network’s Scream Queens

Production mixer Mark LeBlanc’s rig with RF Venue’s CP Beam and Diversity Fin antennas deployed together on the set of AMC’s Interview with the Vampire

Production mixer Mark LeBlanc’s rig with RF Venue’s Diversity Fin antenna deployed in a cemetery scene during Season 1 production of AMC’s Interview with the Vampire

Production mixer Mark LeBlanc’s rig with RF Venue’s Diversity Fin antenna deployed together in a UNO airport scene during Season 3 production of AMC’s Preacher

One of three problematic towers causing RF interference on the set of The Chosen, which production mixer Mark LeBlanc conquered with antennas from RF Venue.

Conversely, there are situations where a critical area can be best covered by a closely placed antenna with a shorter reception range, effectively ignoring much of the background RF noise. The RF Spotlight antenna (dubbed “The Pancake” by LeBlanc) is a low-profile floor pad antenna that enables wireless mics to function reliably where multiple wireless systems must inter-operate and open channels are limited. And, for LeBlanc, when he wants to invisibly place a mic within a set, he says, “I’ve found The Pancake a handy tool. I can easily hide it under a table where two actors are having a conversation. The background RF drops off and allows you to concentrate just on the scene.”

“I feel every mixer should approach antennas in a similar fashion to microphone choice,” says LeBlanc. “For example, a helical antenna [like the CP Beam] has amazing range but might not be the right choice when shooting a morgue scene with metal everywhere. In the last few years, I’ve switched over to Zaxcom digital wireless and, when paired with my RF Venue antennas, I have a versatile RF palette that I can feel confident about.”