Your First Time on Comms: A Beginner’s Guide
If you’ve just been told you’ll be “on comms” during a show, and your first thought is, what does that actually mean?—you’re not alone. For a lot of crew stepping into bigger touring productions, using a comms pack might be completely new. A lot of departments wont need to be on comms for every tour they do. So you can actually get quite far into your career before you actually need to use them.
The good news? You don’t need to be a tech. You just need to know how to use it properly when it matters.
This intro guide is here to walk you through the basics—specifically for wireless systems like the Riedel Bolero which you’ll find on loads of tours. No setup needed, just plug in, clip on, and know what (and what not) to do.
1. What a Bolero Pack Is (and Isn’t)
At its core, a Bolero pack is just a beltpack radio system that lets different crew departments talk to each other live during a show. It’s usually used for calling cues, solving problems fast, or updating people on timing.
But—and this is key—it’s not really for casual chat. This isn’t a walkie. It’s part of the show. Treat it like you’re stepping into a live, technical version of a group call where clarity, timing, and respect for others speaking is everything. If you’re comfortable enough with your team, and the dynamic of the tour suggests it, chatting on closed comms channels, maybe just with your department during the show is fine. But that is a call you’re going to have to make yourself, and timing is everything.
2. What You’ll Be Wearing
The pack itself is usually handed to you already set up by audio or the comms tech. Here’s what you’ll notice:
A small, sturdy box with one or more buttons (labelled for different channels).
A headset with a mic boom
A volume knob or control wheel.
A mute button or a talk toggle.
You’ll usually only need a few buttons—the one linked to your department, and the one linked to the show. If you’re on cues, that’ll be the one linked to whoever’s calling the show. Keeping that channel free of unnecessary talking is ideal. Else something has changed or gone wrong, you should only need to hear the show caller on that channel.
3. How to Use It During a Show
It’s simple in theory:
Press and hold the talk button found next to each channel, to speak (or press once if it’s set to latch). The button will light up, which means you’re live.
[Latch means you press the button once, and you stay connected until you press it again]
Release to stop talking (or press again if you’re in latch mode).
Keep your volume at a level where you can hear without it blasting your ear off.
Don’t talk unless it’s important, or you’re being cued.
Keep your microphone very close to your mouth, if you want to he heard clearly.
Power button is found on the bottom on the comms pack, usually a red square next to your headphone connection.
If you’re given a cue—whether it’s to shift a set piece, prep for a lift, or stand by—respond clearly and briefly: “Ready.” Or “Copy that.” No waffle, no fluff.
4. Comms Etiquette 101
This is where most people mess it up. Even if you know how to use the pack, there are a few unspoken rules that matter:
Don’t talk over others. Let people finish.
Don’t leave your mic open unless you're actively using it.
(Happens all the time so keep an ear out for it)
Mute if you're coughing, shouting off-mic, or handling noisy kit.
Be careful when using comms to vent, joke, or mess around. You could interrupt the show.
Basically: be clear, be quick, and only speak when needed.
5. Easy Mistakes to Avoid
Here’s what you’ll want to steer clear of:
Breathing heavily or muttering into a live mic (you’ll absolutely get called out).
Forgetting to answer cues because you weren’t paying attention.
Accidentally being on the wrong channel.
Bumping your mic or leaving your belt pack hanging loose so it swings and disconnects.
If in doubt, just take a breath and ask quietly for a repeat. It’s better than guessing.
6. What to Do If Something’s Not Working
If you can’t hear anything, or no one can hear you, don’t panic. Check the basics:
Is the battery pack charged?
Is your headset plugged in securely?
Is your volume turned up?
Are you on the right channel?
Is your mic muted?
If it’s still not working, let audio or your stage manager know. Don’t try to troubleshoot it during a live cue-heavy section of the show.
Final Thoughts
Being on comms can feel a little intimidating the first time, but like most things on tour, it becomes second nature. Keep your cool, stay present, and remember—this system exists to make the show run smoothly. The more clearly and calmly you use it, the better it works for everyone else on the line.
And finally, You don’t always know who is on your comms channel, you might think you know, but you might be wrong. So be careful of what you say at all times. You wouldn’t be the first roadie to have to leave a tour early for not considering this.
