The equipment required for meetings and events with simultaneous interpretation and the latest ISO standards that govern them.

ISO Standards

There are five main technical ISO standards regarding simultaneous interpreting equipment:

ISO 2603:2016: Simultaneous interpreting — Permanent booths — Requirements

ISO 4043:2016: Simultaneous interpreting — Mobile booths — Requirements

ISO 20109:2016: Simultaneous interpreting — Equipment — Requirements 1

ISO 20108:2017: Simultaneous interpreting — Quality and transmission of sound and image input — Requirements 2

ISO 24019:2022: Simultaneous interpreting delivery platforms — Requirements and recommendations 

Overview of the Standards

ISO 2603:2016: Simultaneous interpreting — Permanent booths — Requirements

Interpreters' fixed booths are designed to meet requirements regarding:

a) acoustic separation between different languages spoken simultaneously, without mutual interference between languages interpreted or with the speaker in the hall;
b) efficient two-way communication between the booths and the conference hall;
c) a comfortable working environment enabling interpreters to maintain the intense effort of concentration required by their work.

In addition to architects, project engineers, suppliers, etc., it is essential to consult conference interpreters experienced in technical consultancy, from the earliest stages of planning.

In order to achieve the requirements above, ISO Standard 2603:2016 sets provisions for
factors such as:

• booth location in the conference room, notably to ensure good visibility and avoid noise disturbance
• dimensions and acoustic insulation, for a spacious and quiet working environment
• lighting, heating and ventilation, for comfortable booths

ISO 4043:2016: Simultaneous interpreting — Mobile booths — Requirements

Interpreters' mobile booths are designed to meet requirements regarding:

a) acoustic separation between different languages spoken simultaneously, without mutual interference between languages interpreted or with the speaker in the hall;
b) efficient two-way communication between the booths and the conference hall;
c) adequate working conditions for the interpreters, whose booths are their work-place, such as to enable them to sustain the intense effort of concentration required throughout the day's work;
d) ease of handling and assembly and of lightweight, yet sturdy construction.

In addition to architects, project engineers, suppliers, etc., it is essential to consult conference interpreters experienced in technical consultancy, from the earliest stages of planning.

In order to achieve the requirements above, ISO Standard 4043:2016 sets provisions for factors such as:

• dimensions and acoustic insulation, for a spacious and quiet working environment
• lighting, heating and ventilation, for comfortable booths
• booth location in the conference room, notably to ensure good visibility and avoid noise disturbance.

ISO 20109:2016: Simultaneous interpreting — Equipment — Requirements 1

Simultaneous interpreting equipment is designed to meet requirements regarding:

a) sound quality and fidelity of the overall system;
b) interpreters’ console functionalities and dimensions;
c) interpreters’ headphones and microphones.

In order to achieve the requirements above, in combination with Standard 20108:2017, ISO Standard 20109:2016 sets provisions for factors such as:

• sound equipment to ensure input and output sound which is clear, i.e. devoid of distortion or hums, offering a wide and fairly linear frequency response, etc.
• hearing protection systems to limit exposure to loud sounds that can damage interpreters’ hearing
• standardization of interpreters’ consoles on dimensions, functionalities, headphone connectors, etc.
• video displays, notably in terms of size and positioning

ISO 20108:2017: Simultaneous interpreting — Quality and transmission of sound and image input — Requirements 2

Simultaneous interpreting equipment is designed to meet requirements regarding:

a) quality and transmission of sound to the interpreters; (“quality” meaning the "preservation of the original input to the maximum possible extent", not "cosmetic processing")
b) quality and transmission of image to the interpreters.

In order to achieve the requirements above, in combination with Standard 20109:2016, ISO Standard 20108:2017 sets provisions for factors such as:

• sound chain to ensure input sound quality is kept across the system
• image quality, projection angle, image/sound synchronization

ISO 24019:2022: Simultaneous interpreting delivery platforms — Requirements and recommendations 

Simultaneous interpreting delivery platforms shall, among others, meet requirements regarding:

a) performance of the delivery platform in terms of input and output
b) transmission of sound and image by the delivery platform to the interpreters
c) interpreters’ interfaces and soft consoles, as well as their functionalities
d) working environment of speakers, signers and interpreters.

In order to achieve the requirements above, ISO Standard 24019:2022 sets provisions for factors such as:

• information of speakers on proper working environments
• processing of sound to ensure the delivery platform faithfully reproduces the original signal, i.e. does not degrade the sound
• synchronization of sound and image
• internet connectivity to ensure sufficient processing capacity.

Using the Standards

ISO Standards are subject to copyright and must be bought. 
AIIC members: AIIC has acquired a package of standards for you, which can be accessed by logging into your AIIC account .

General Principles

The sound system and the interpreter's console

The best advice in a constantly changing situation is to consult the THC on what is currently the best available equipment.

The THC works closely with SI equipment manufacturers to help overcome the problem of poorly designed equipment that does not comply with the Standards. The THC also offers advice on other ergonomic details important in the design of consoles although not specified in the Standards.

Remember: An unfortunate choice of SI equipment will blight the life of a whole generation of interpreters and their audiences. No management is going to be persuaded to find money to replace apparently new, little used equipment, however useless it may be. So please consult the THC.

The interpreter's console

An important design item is that "listening" and "speaking" controls not be confused. One way is to confine them to distinct areas on the console. The controls most frequently used must be easily accessed (e.g., microphone on/off, tone control, etc.).

Channels

• Multiple incoming and outgoing channels
• Selectors for outgoing and incoming channels shall be easy to distinguish from each other
• 1 outgoing channel per language plus floor channel

Microphones

• Individual microphones for all interpreters
• If the microphone is fixed to the console, it should have a long enough flexible stem so the interpreter is not forced to adopt a rigid or awkward position
• Microphone control: a switch easily distinguishable from other controls (a different colour, for example)
• A "microphone-on" light: an easily visible ring around the mike or a prominent light on the console

Other console items

• Tone controls to adjust bass and treble settings according to individual preferences and different speakers' voices
• Automatic, pre-selected relay
• A "cough button" (mute button)

All controls shall operate silently.

Headphones

• Individual headphones for all interpreters
• High-quality and lightweight, designed for interpreters (not the kind designed for singers or journalists)
• No in-ear headphones - for interpreters or delegates
• High-quality reproduction of audio frequencies

Headsets with microphone incorporated are not recommended for permanent installation.

The importance of sound

Good sound quality in the booth and in the conference room is an essential factor in simultaneous interpretation.

Poor sound causes unnecessary stress and fatigue. Good sound depends on many factors, among others:

• proper sound equipment that supplies the full range of sound, and good-quality, lightweight headphones
• room acoustics
• loudspeakers distributed around the room and volume kept low enough

When working in DI mode, sound chains should avoid live digital signal processors (DSPs) and noise gates. Compressors should be used in the mildest possible way, especially if remote speakers are connected. DSPs, compressors, noise gates and the like should not be used to mask the presence of background noise in the installation, allow participants to keep an excessive distance from the microphone and still be heard and make cosmetic improvements to sound.

Some important details:

• Infrared and fully cabled systems are the systems of choice.
• A loudspeaker installed on the console or somewhere in the booth can be extremely useful for following the speaker while your channel is occupied by relay from another booth, or when the booth is at rest, to be able to follow with the headphones off:
• It must be equipped with volume control, which shall be within easy reach of the seated interpreters
• It shall switch off automatically when the microphone is opened
• It is always wise to provide for more channels than the number of built-in booths. Extra channels can be useful to accommodate additional languages working from mobile booths.
• There shall be one complete set of controls and headphones per interpreter.
• Consoles may be sunken into the table-top or free-standing; however, they must be at a slight angle for easier access.
• If the console is built into the table, it must be placed toward the front edge leaving at least 40 cm of free space (preferably more) for documents, laptops, etc.
• Headphone cables shall pass under the table and be secured under the free edge of the table to avoid getting entangled. The rough requirement is to leave 1.5 m of free cord.
• The headphone plug should be secure and not protrude to avoid getting bumped or caught in clothing.

Category: Technical
Date Posted: October 11, 2023