The crews behind today’s most demanding productions know what they need from their comms, and they don’t compromise. At Clear-Com, our innovation starts with our users, not just by observing, but by listening.
Our award winning FreeSpeak Icon beltpack is the result of that collaboration. Developed in direct response to user feedback, FreeSpeak Icon, the newest addition to the FreeSpeak family, introduces a next-generation beltpack to the award-winning FreeSpeak family, designed to meet the evolving needs of production professionals with improved usability, modern ergonomics, and seamless system integration. FreeSpeak Icon brings together the powerful RF performance of 1.9 GHz with the modern interface design of FreeSpeak Edge, resulting in a next-generation beltpack that just makes sense.
“The buttons felt so easy to use that I didn’t have to worry about it… I quickly adapted to them as second nature while I called cues to lighting, automation, stage management, cameras, and video playback.” said Don T., Yamaha Entertainment Group.
The Evolution of FreeSpeak
The FreeSpeak line has set the standard for wireless intercom across industries, with systems trusted in everything from broadcast trucks and theater stages to live event venues and theme parks. FreeSpeak II and FreeSpeak Edge are already known for delivering reliable, scalable, high-quality wireless communication in even the most challenging environments.
“FreeSpeak has always been about giving users the freedom to communicate clearly and reliably, no matter how complex the environment,” said Marco Lopez, Chief Technology Officer. “With Icon, we’re taking advantage of FreeSpeak’s scability to hundreds of users per system while rethinking the user experience offering access to more PLs, Groups, or point to points.”
What Customers Asked For
In every conversation, the feedback was consistent. Users wanted a FreeSpeak beltpack that:
One broadcast engineer told us:
“The system performance is rock-solid, but I needed something that new team members could understand and use without a full tutorial.”
Scott Dahl, Head of Audio for Blue Man Group Las Vegas noted:
“The color screen is bright and easy to read, even from a distance, and the extra programmable keys allow us to customize configurations for program feeds, call signals, and point-to-points, giving us the flexibility we need on stage. Dark mode is such a useful feature, especially when we have multiple users on stage.”
FreeSpeak Icon Delivers
FreeSpeak Icon was designed to meet those needs without disrupting existing workflows. The result is a modernized beltpack that feels familiar to FreeSpeak users, while offering significant user experience enhancements.
Key Features:
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Backward compatibility with existing FreeSpeak II transceiver infrastructure
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Flexible channel assignment and simplified menu structure
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9 programmable buttons for instant access to key comms functions
“We heard from dozens of users that they wanted a cleaner interface with less guesswork, especially in fast-paced, live environments,” said Justin Emge, Senior Manager of Applications Engineering and Training. “With Icon, we focused on making the most-used features more accessible, while preserving the system performance people count on.”
Part of the FreeSpeak Family
FreeSpeak Icon is not a standalone departure, it’s a natural evolution within the FreeSpeak ecosystem. The beltpack is fully compatible with the existing RF infrastructure of both the IPT and E1 transceivers. You can mix and match the 4-button and the new 9-button beltpack on the same system. Moreover it is compatible with, FreeSpeak Edge base and Arcadia Central Station R4.0, giving users a straightforward upgrade path without the need to reconfigure entire systems. To ensure seamless setup, FreeSpeak Icon is supported in Eclipse HX with software version 14.1 and higher.
“This is still FreeSpeak,” Lopez emphasized. “Icon reflects our ongoing investment in the platform, and in helping customers transition into the future, on their own timeline without having to throw away their current infrastructure”
The FreeSpeak product family remains one of the most awarded wireless intercom solutions in the industry, and with Icon, the platform continues to evolve to meet the next generation of production challenges.
Your Input Shapes Our Future
FreeSpeak Icon is the result of direct input from our user community, and it won’t be the last. At Clear-Com, we believe the best product development happens in partnership with the people using our systems every day.
To learn more about FreeSpeak Icon or to schedule a demo with your local Clear-Com representative, contact us.
You asked. We delivered. And we’re just getting started.
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