Interpretation equipment hire and conference systems — UK conferences and government events

You need interpretation equipment as soon as your event involves at least 2 languages, requires simultaneous interpretation, and/or has more than approximately 20 attendees — at that point whispering and consecutive interpretation become impractical. Trigger criteria: (1) at least 2 languages on the event with at least one attendee needing interpretation, (2) simultaneous interpretation required (speakers do not pause for consecutive interpreting — conference format), (3) at least 20 attendees where whispering no longer scales. For mobile site visits or smaller groups (2-30 attendees) a whisper kit or tour-guide system is sufficient. For conferences with simultaneous interpretation we recommend a soundproof interpreter booth with interpreter consoles. For remote and hybrid events we deploy an RSI platform (Interprefy, KUDO, VoiceBoxer).

An interpreter booth is a soundproof cabin where interpreters work simultaneously for conferences with 50-1000+ attendees; a whisper kit (also called a tour-guide system) is a mobile wireless case with a microphone and headphones for smaller groups (2-30 attendees) on site visits or guided tours. The soundproof interpreter booth measures approximately ~1.6m × 1.6m × 2.0m, has ventilation, and houses two interpreters who alternate. Interpreters work via an interpreter console (for example Televic D-Cerno or Bosch Dicentis) and route the signal to delegate headsets via UHF or infrared. A whisper kit is designed for mobile situations: the interpreter walks alongside, speaks softly into a microphone and attendees follow via body-pack receivers with earpieces. For UK conferences with simultaneous interpretation a soundproof booth is the norm; for site visits and smaller meetings a whisper kit suffices.

You need at least one channel per target language. For 3 languages 4+ channels suffice, for 5-6 languages 8+ channels, for large multilingual conferences (10+ languages) we deploy UHF/IR systems with 32+ channels. The rule of thumb: one channel per outgoing translation. A conference English ↔ French + German + Spanish therefore needs 4 channels (the source language plus three translations). For EU conferences with 10-24 languages, UHF or digital infrared systems with 32+ channels are standard — Bosch Dicentis and Sennheiser SDC8200 are designed for this. We configure the right capacity based on your language mix and attendee count — speak to our interpretation tech specialist.

RSI is simultaneous interpretation where the interpreters are not physically present, but translate the event via an online platform such as Interprefy, KUDO or VoiceBoxer — suitable for remote events and as a cost-efficient alternative or complement to physical interpreter booths in hybrid conferences. RSI platforms replace the physical booth with a browser-based interpreter environment with dual audio streams and floor management. Interpreters work from their own studio or a dedicated RSI hub; attendees receive the interpretation through their own device or a delegate headset connected to a central control unit. RSI is well suited to hybrid events (part physical, part remote), cost-efficient for smaller meetings, and offers flexibility for last-minute language additions. For larger conferences we frequently combine RSI with physical booths — depending on your event format.

For most organisations hire is more cost-effective: interpretation equipment is event-frequent (not daily use), the technology (Bosch Dicentis, Sennheiser SDC8200, Televic D-Cerno) is periodically refreshed, and hire includes installation, on-site technician and breakdown — capex and maintenance stay with the supplier. Purchase only pays back at more than ~30-40 events per year with comparable configurations. For most corporate event managers, conference organisers and government departments, event-based rental is the norm. Our hire formula includes: configuration advice, delivery, 2-4 hours installation, technical check, on-site technician during the event, and breakdown afterwards. You pay per event — no capex, no storage, no maintenance, no technician recruitment.

Our on-site technician installs the equipment (2-4 hours before start), tests all channels and headsets, supports interpreters with console settings, monitors the signal during the event, troubleshoots technical issues live, and breaks everything down afterwards. Concretely: pre-event setup of booth(s), interpreter consoles, microphones, transmitters and central control units; sound check and channel testing; interpreter briefing on the technology; live monitoring during the event (audio levels, channel routing, headset failures); first-line tech support for delegates; and post-event breakdown + transport. For hybrid events with RSI, the technician supports the hybrid bridge between physical booth and RSI platform.

A soundproof interpreter booth typically measures ~1.6m × 1.6m × 2.0m (for 2 interpreters who alternate), needs direct ventilation, clear sight of speaker and presentation, and power supply — ideally placed at the back of the room with good audio coverage. Additional requirements: flat ground (not on a riser unless secured), available 230V power with earthing, clear sight of the stage and presentation screens (optionally via additional monitors in the booth), acoustic separation between booths in multilingual events, and adequate ventilation — two interpreters in an enclosed space generate heat and CO₂. Our technician advises during the site survey on the optimal location in your venue and arranges supplementary technology (extra monitors, intercom with the venue AV). The technical recommendations of AIIC serve as the industry reference for interpreter working environments.

Standard installation of a soundproof interpreter booth + interpreter consoles + delegate system takes 2-4 hours before the start of the event; complex multi-booth EU conferences (10+ languages) can require half a working day for installation plus overnight prep. For a single-booth setup with 2-4 channels we plan on 2 hours installation + 1 hour testing + briefing. For multi-booth conferences with UHF/IR distribution to 200+ delegates we plan half a working day for installation plus extended sound checks. For EU conferences with 10-24 languages we often start the evening before with setup. Breakdown typically takes ~1-2 hours. Our technician aligns the timing with your event schedule and venue access.