Pop Shield

Tonight, I am working with young Jazz Hands for the first time, prerecording his radio show. Midway through the recording session I start getting terrible splats through the mixing desk on the CD player channels. This results in a massive BANG that nearly blows up the loudspeakers. I honestly don’t have a clue what is going on. I try to address the problem whilst keeping the show going to tape.

Jazzy skips into the cubicle during a record. My eyes are drawn down to his very new and squeaky plastic-looking orange shoes. Hmm. This is a long shot, but could it be that static is causing some kind of interference? A while back, I heard a tale about something similar happening with another presenter. At a loss, I suggest to Jazzy that he take his shoes off. Still, the nasty surges continue. Next, my eyes are drawn down to my own shiny new boots worn for the very first time.  Hmm. In guilt and solidarity off they come. This is getting wacky.

Alas, the spikes ensue right to the end of the booking, causing an editing headache for later. I call the Ark, who send two maintenance engineers, side by side, ready to investigate. They soon discover that the mixing desk having completely lost timecode.  In hindsight, yes that was a bit more plausible than shiny shoes.

“Can I put my trainers back on now please?” says Jazz.