Clear-Com technology supported live operations at this year’s Coachella and Stagecoach festivals, which attracted hundreds of thousands of fans to the California desert.
The deployment featured Clear-Com’s latest EHX v14 configuration software, as well as FreeSpeak II beltpacks and an Eclipse Omega HX matrix frame, creating a robust communication backbone for festival production and live-stream broadcasts.
Media Stream Wave’s Azuolas Sinkevicius, who led the project, says: “Festivals like Coachella and Stagecoach require precise coordination between dozens of departments.
‘Freedom and autonomy’
“With so many stages, artists and live broadcast elements in motion at once, communication is necessary to create the fun and carefree environment attendees crave. Clear-Com gave us the freedom and autonomy to keep every cue on time.”
At the heart of the system was a Clear-Com Eclipse HX-Omega matrix, configured with:
EHX v14 software – enabling flexible and intuitive programming across a distributed network.
Two E-IPA 64-port licences – offering a high channel count and scalability for IP-based devices.
A MADI card – allowing integration with audio routing infrastructure.
Three MVX16 analogue interface cards – supporting legacy equipment and third-party integration.
23 IVC-32 IP-connected intercom panels.
To ensure untethered mobility across the sprawling festival grounds, the team deployed 61 FreeSpeak II 1.9 GHz beltpacks, which were worn by the technical leads, stage managers and comms operators.
Sixteen FreeSpeak II IP transceivers were mounted strategically to provide wide-ranging, seamless wireless coverage.
Clear-Com’s support extended beyond traditional intercom to include integration with broadcast trucks and live-streaming workflows. This ensured coordination not only on the ground, but also with remote teams responsible for distributing high-quality content to global audiences.
Vic Lombardi, Clear-Com’s regional sales manager, says: “The scale of this deployment is a great example of what our EHX platform and FreeSpeak II beltpacks can accomplish in large-scale live environments.”
“EHX v14 adds even greater speed and usability for operators working in time-critical scenarios like festival changeovers and live hits.”
Sinkevicius adds: “We didn’t experience a single drop in communications throughout the entire event. Even with multiple stages and changing artist line-ups every hour, Clear-Com performed exactly the way you hope it will – quietly, reliably and transparently.”
