How to Choose an Interpreting Booth(TourGo Your Best Choice)

How to Choose an Interpreting Booth(TourGo Your Best Choice)

When organizing a conference or meeting that requires simultaneous interpreters, you may need to procure an interpreting booth (or several!). But if you’ve never worked with an interpreting booth before you may not know what to look for or which type best suits your needs.

There are basically two different types of interpreting booths you can use for your conference: tabletop interpreting booths and full-size interpreting booths. The functionality and setup for each differs and which one will be best for your event depends on the needs of your audience, the size of your venue, and your available resources.

Tabletop Interpreting Booths

As their name suggests, tabletop booths are placed atop a table — any reasonably sturdy table will work. The interpreter sits at the table, with their upper body and interpreting equipment inside the booth.

However, the booth is not completely enclosed — it’s open in the back. Therefore it is not completely soundproof. On the upside, this also means it is small and easily transportable, and it can be set up and operated by a single person.

Full-Size Interpreting Booths

Full-size interpreting booths are standalone enclosures that come with the works: four walls, a floor, a ceiling, a door, and even a ventilation system.

Interpreter(s) sit inside the soundproof booth with their equipment for the duration of the conference. You’ll need to provide a table for the interpreters to sit at so make sure you keep a spare at the venue. It’s also usually recommended to have an audio technician available to assist with any technical issues that may arise.

At a minimum, full-size booths are big enough to fit a pair of interpreters, but larger booths can accommodate as many as four, if need be.

Because of their size, they require assembly by more than one person and are consequently harder to transport than tabletop booths.

Don’t Forget!

Whichever type of interpreting booth is employed, the same audio equipment will be used by the interpreter. So be sure to consider the differences between booths when deciding which one will best serve the needs of your conference.

And no matter which type of interpreting booth you use, or where you position it, be sure there’s an electrical outlet nearby! It’ll be hard for a conference interpreter to speak to your audience if the microphone doesn’t have any power.

TourGo Can Help

Whether you already know which type of interpreting booth is right for your event or you need help selecting an interpreting booth, TourGo can help.

We offer a wide variety of audio equipment rentals and are available via email or phone to answer any of questions you may have. Additionally, our professional audio engineers are available to plan, install, maintain, and operate interpretation equipment on-site.