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Watch Hugh Jackman react when a cell phone ring from the audience interupts the opening of his new play on Broadway. A couple of times I have wished my conductor would have taken this tack, or maybe jumped off the stage and grabbed the offender by the throat.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z7PCW5hi9Wc" target="_blank" target="_blank

This brings to mind something I experienced last Thursday at a fundraiser gig I played at. Before the performance, the MC asked that all cell phones and pagers be turned OFF. Not put on 'silence'... but turned OFF completely. He explained that even though a cellphone or pager is set to silent, it can still emit signals (EMI/RFI) that can interfere and cause noise in audio systems. I've heard the 'monkey chatter' on PA systems before but thought it was caused by signals from cell phone towers... not cellphones. Can anyone elaborate?

If I put my phone next to the radio at home, the radio will pick up interference for a few seconds immediately before the phone rings with an incoming call. I don't know if this also occurs on the frequencies used for radio mics, but it may well do.

Cheers,

Cam

At my old high school, the band's sound system was always "on" and would constantly be chirping due to the social activities certain members of the ensemble prefered to engaged in. Cell phone communication works by radio signals being sent to and from cellphone towers, so the conclusion that active cell phones screw with sound systems does hold true.

Last spring the St. Louis Symphony was playing Verdi's Requiem. In the very beginning during the barely audible string parts a cell phone began to ring. Quickly Maestro David robertson cuts off the entire orchestra and turns around very smoothly and quietly says into the mic. Just a s a further reminder please turn off your cell phones to further keep from embarrasing your self and others around you. It was a great tention breaker and got a good laugh. A moment later the symphony began again with no cell phone interuptions.