Access Equipment FAQs

Access equipment can be rented by a trained and authorized access provider or theaters and theater companies who are planning to use a trained and authorized access provider to use the equipment. 

The Minnesota Association of Community Theatres offers Audio Describer Trainings and other workshops. For information on upcoming training opportunities, email Jon.

While running the Open Captioning machine itself can be relatively straightforward, it is strongly recommended that a trained professional prepare the script with the proper format and the access provider attend a demonstration of how to use the equipment at the Minnesota Fringe office in advance of rental.

Audio Description
Audio Description equipment rental for up to 7 days is $30. Late equipment return is $10/day. Theater companies fiscally sponsored by Minnesota Fringe receive a 50% discount on rental fees.

Open Caption
Open Caption equipment rentals are $200/week with a one week minimum to allow time for set-up, technical trouble shooting, and testing in addition to performances. Late equipment return is $50/day. Theater companies fiscally sponsored by Minnesota Fringe receive a 50% discount on rental fees.

NOTE: Open Caption renters must also provide a Certificate of Insurance specifically covering the Compusult CD-2400N Caption Display unit and its accessories for $6,710 and listing Minnesota Fringe Festival - 79 13th Ave NE, Suite #112, Minneapolis, MN 55413 as additional insured. This certificate can be obtained from your general liability insurance provider at no additional charge.

---

Access equipment was acquired through a generous donation from Guthrie Theater and with support from the Minnesota State Arts Board Accessible Arts grant. Rental fees are intended to help offset the cost of program management, equipment upkeep, and eventual replacement.

When requesting access equipment, the requestor must indicate who will be billed for equipment use on the form. It could be the access provider who may pass the cost along to whomever they are providing access for, or it could be the theater where the access performance is taking place.

Equipment usage invoices will be mailed to the address provided after the equipment is returned. You may also request to pay with credit card via PayPal invoice for an additional processing surcharge of $3 for Audio Description equipment and $5 for Open Caption equipment. Payment is due upon receipt.

The Minnesota Access Alliance (MNAA) provides an Accessible Arts & Culture Calendar for patrons who use accessibility accommodations. Anyone can register to establish an account and submit an event. Please allow 48 hours for submissions to be approved.

• Select Location. Position the transmitter near the audio source from which it will receive sound.
• Install the Antenna. 
• Connect to Power. Plug the power supply cord into an outlet. On the power up, the number 8 will scroll across the display while the system initializes. The system will then display the default frequency (72.9 MHz) or the last selected frequency set by the previous user.
• Select the Frequency. Press and release the down or up buttons until the desired frequency is displayed. After 3 seconds, the frequency selection will be set.
• Connect the Audio Source. On the back, an audio In jack is available for connecting a line-level, unbalanced audio source. on the front, a Mic Input jack is available to connect to a microphone.
• Adjusting the Audio Source. With the audio source playing, use a small screwdriver or tuning wand to rotate the adjust control on the front. Turn clockwise to increase the audio level, or counterclockwise to decrease the audio level. 
• Listen with an FM Receiver. Make sure the receiver is on the same frequency and batteries are installed. Plug in the earphone, turn on the receiver, and walk around the listening area. The signal should be clear and quite loud when the volume is turned up.

If you'd like more details, a digital version of the manual and user guide for our equipment can be found at this link.

A brief how-to video can be found at this link.

Transmitter frequency display (LED) not lit.

• Make sure the wall transformer is plugged into the transmitter.
• Make sure the electrical outlet is on.

No sound through receivers.

• If some of the receivers work but other don't, check for bad batteries or earphones on the receivers that aren't working.
• Check to see that the receiver frequency matches the transmitter frequency. On the transmitter, the frequency is illuminated on the LED panel on the front of the unit. On the receiver, there may be a sticker on the inside of the battery door of the receiver. If these frequencies do not match, adjust them as needed. 
• If none of the receivers work, check to see if the power is connected to the transmitter and the frequency display on the front of the transmitter is illuminated.
• Check to see if the transmitter is connected properly to the sound system.
• On the front panel of the transmitter, turn the audio input level control clockwise using a screwdriver to increase the audio level. Make sure that the audio light is flashing occasionally but not continuously.
• If you are not using an input signal from a sound system, make sure the AV microphone is plugged into the Mic jack on the front of the transmitter.
• Make sure the antenna is installed and connected properly.

Insufficient range, good reception near transmitter, poor at a distance.

• Check to see if the antenna was installed correctly. If not, correct or replace the antenna. The signal should be clearly audible at least 100 ft within the line-of-site to the transmitter antenna.
• Check to make sure no other transmitters (or other devices) are transmitting on the same frequency or channel.

Sound through receivers is loud, but distorted. Noise (room noise or electronic noise) seems to grow after talking stops. Audio Indicator Light is continuously on.

• On the front of the transmitter, use a screwdriver to turn the audio level control counter-clockwise. This will decrease the audio level. The audio indicator light should flash occasionally, but not be lit continuously.

Sound through the receivers is weak and noisy.

• On the front panel, use a screwdriver to turn the audio level control clockwise. This will increase the input signal strength. The audio indicator ight should flash occasionally.
• Increase the input signal level from the sound system.

Buzzing or humming noise in sound system. 

• There is nothing wrong with the transmitter. One or more pieces of equipment in the sound system are being disturbed by radio frequency signals produced by the transmitter. The most likely suspects are the amplifier, mixer, or the audio source. The energy gets into the other equipment primarily through the power cord, speaker wires, or unshielded inputs, all of which can act as antennas. Try moving the transmitter away from the other sound equipment.

Step #1: Prepare the Script

• Prepare your caption script in an application (such as Notepad) that saves the script as a .txt file.
• Remove or replace any symbols or characters not recognized by the software ("curly quotes", curly apostrophe', long/em dashes --, ellipses..., etc). They may cause confusing text (such as “ ”) to display, or they may cause the caption screen to stall.
• Remove unnecessary information like stage directions, page numbers, headers and footers.
• Include the name of the speaker on the same line as the start of the speech.
• Preserve formatting for text and lyrics (like iambic pentameter or song phrases).

Step #2: Prepare the Caption Display

Settings – Control Panel > Style/Timing

• Display Style: set to Roll Up 
  Note: the default setting is Pop Up. Be sure to change this setting to Roll Up, so that the captions display smoothly and don’t appear to pop or flash. (Popping/flashing text is very jarring for many audience members, and may trigger vertigo, nausea or even seizures in some audience members.) 

Settings – Control Panel > Playback

• Select Play forever
  Note: This is the default setting; leave it as is. 

Open the caption editor

• Launch the Caption Display application
• Select Open Editor (Caption Text box, right sidebar)
• Select File > Open
• Highlight the .txt file you prepared > Open 
• Select File > Close

Display the captions

• The captions will display in the Display panel (left side of screen).
• To control the captions, click on the text in the Caption Text panel (right side of screen).
• To advance the captions, press the down-facing arrow on your keyboard.

Add live captions

• Place the cursor in Real Time Captioning box (below caption display, left side of screen).
• Type the additional live captions.
• Press Enter to display live captions.
• To return to the prepared captions, click on the text in the Caption Text panel (right side of screen).

Step #3: Connect the Caption Screen
(Note: This can also be done before Step #2.)

• Select Connect in the Display panel (left side of screen).
• Select Port > OK.
  (Note: If you cannot connect to the serial port where the machine is connected, try moving the connection to another input on your computer.)

Step #4: Disconnect the Caption Screen
When the performance ends

• Select Clear.
• Select Disconnect.
• Close the Caption Display application by selecting the X in the top right corner of the screen.
• Unplug the connecting cord from the laptop.
• Unplug the power cord from the caption sign. 

Rentals are available on a first-come, first-served basis and subject to availability.

To rent equipment, please fill out the form at the bottom of the Access Equipment page on our website. You will receive a confirmation email and our Director of Audience & Volunteer Engagement, Felicia Cooper, will be in touch. 

Equipment can be picked up / dropped off at the Minnesota Fringe offices (79 - 13th Avenue NE, Suite 112, Minneapolis, MN 55413), Monday - Friday, 9am - 5pm. Late returns may incur a late fee.

NOTE: The Open Caption kit comes in a 23"w x 66"l x 9"d road case with handles and wheels. Please check your vehicle cargo space to be certain there is room.