What are simultaneous interpretation booths? We explain the types, installation points, and how to determine the required number.
- 24 hours ago
- 13 min read
Simultaneous interpretation may be used when dealing with multiple languages at international conferences, seminars, or hybrid events.
In such cases, simply arranging for an interpreter is not always sufficient to create a stable interpreting environment.
The type and number of booths required will vary depending on the scale and format of the event.
This article explains the different types of simultaneous interpretation booths, key points to consider when setting them up, and how to determine the necessary number of booths.
What is a simultaneous interpretation booth?
A simultaneous interpretation booth is a dedicated space set up for interpreters to provide simultaneous interpretation at international conferences, seminars, corporate events, and other similar events.
The interpreter works in a booth, listening to the speakers and participants through headphones, and translating what they hear into another language in near real-time before speaking into a microphone.
The interpreted audio is sent via specialized equipment to participants' receivers or online streaming systems, allowing them to choose and listen in their preferred language.
The main functions of a simultaneous interpretation booth are as follows:
The interpreter makes the speech easier to understand.
To prevent the interpreter's voice from leaking into the venue.
Create an environment where interpreters can refer to speakers and materials.
It is also important to create an environment in the simultaneous interpretation booth where speakers and screens can be viewed directly or via monitors.
In actual events, the system is operated by combining microphones and headphones for interpreters, equipment to transmit venue audio to the booth, and transmitters and receivers to deliver the interpreted audio to participants.
Therefore, when implementing simultaneous interpretation, it is important to determine the necessary equipment and audio delivery methods by considering not only the size and location of the booth, but also the venue layout, the number of languages to be used, the number of participants, and whether or not the event will be streamed.
Types of simultaneous interpretation booths
Simultaneous interpretation booths can be broadly categorized into the following three types, depending on their setup and the venue's facilities.
Full-size booth
Portable booth
Permanent booths at the venue
Let's take a closer look at the characteristics of each below.
Full-size booth
A full-size booth is a box-shaped booth where an interpreter enters and is furnished with a desk, chair, and interpreting equipment.
At event venues, you can also see types that are assembled and installed using panels.
Because the interpreter is surrounded by a booth, noise from the venue is minimized, and the interpreter's voice is less likely to leak out. Therefore, it is suitable for events such as the following:
International conferences where multiple interpreters take turns providing support.
Long conference
Large-scale corporate events
On the other hand, in addition to the space required to place the booth itself, a route for transporting and assembling it is also necessary.
When setting up, be sure to check not only the number of interpreters, but also the space available for desks and equipment, ease of entry and exit, ventilation, lighting, and how the speakers and screens will be visible.
Portable booth
A portable booth is a simple booth that is used by setting up sound-absorbing panels on top of a long table or similar surface. It is sometimes called a "tabletop booth" or "simple interpreter booth."
Compared to full-size booths, it requires less installation space and is relatively easy to transport and set up.
Portable booths are used in the following cases:
Small-scale seminar
Company event
If you don't have the space to install a full-size booth
However, because it doesn't completely enclose the interpreter, the sound insulation is lower than that of a full-size booth.
Conversations from the audience, the sound of speakers, and the air conditioning are easily audible to the interpreter, and conversely, the interpreter's voice may be audible to those around them.
Therefore, when using a portable booth, it is important to check the venue environment, such as whether it can be kept away from the audience and speakers, and whether a quiet area can be secured, before deciding on the installation location.
Permanent booths at the venue
Permanent booths at the venue may be set up in the following locations beforehand:
International Conference Center
Convention Center
Large banquet hall at the hotel
If you can use a permanent booth at the venue, you won't need to bring in the booth itself from outside, making it easier to secure space for seating and aisles.
In addition, some are designed to connect to the venue's sound system.
However, the presence of a permanent booth does not necessarily mean that the planned simultaneous interpretation service can be implemented as intended.
Before using the facilities, please confirm the following points with the venue:
Number of interpreters allowed inside the booth
Number of available translation devices and language channels
Can the microphone audio from the venue be sent to the booth?
Can you see the speakers and screen from the booth?
Is there a monitor available to see the online presenters?
Can external audio equipment and streaming equipment be connected?
Can the venue's technical staff help with this?
Can we conduct rehearsals and connection tests in advance?
Especially in hybrid events, it's necessary to deliver not only the audio from within the venue, but also the audio and video of online presenters to the booths.
Even when using a permanent booth, it's important to check the equipment connection methods in advance, including the event schedule and streaming methods on the day of the event.
Equipment needed along with the simultaneous interpretation booth
To provide simultaneous interpretation, you need not only a booth, but also equipment to transmit the speaker's voice to the interpreter, equipment to transmit the interpreted audio to the participants, and equipment for the participants to listen to the interpreted audio.
The main equipment used for simultaneous interpretation is as follows:
equipment | Main role |
Headphones for interpreters | The interpreter listens to what the speakers and participants say. |
Microphone for interpreters | Record the audio translated by the interpreter. |
Interpretation and operation equipment | The interpreter operates the microphone, the audio being heard, and the audio being sent out. |
Microphone for the venue | The system records the speeches of speakers and participants and delivers them to the interpreter. |
Sound equipment | The audio from the venue and the interpretation equipment is connected and distributed to the necessary locations. |
A device that delivers translated audio to participants. | In systems using dedicated transmitters and receivers, the interpreted audio is delivered to the participants. |
Equipment for participants to listen to the interpreted audio | Depending on the method adopted, participants will need to provide their own devices, such as dedicated receiver earphones or headphones, or their own personal devices. |
It's not enough to simply procure the equipment individually; the entire setup needs to be carefully considered and integrated to ensure that everything, from the speakers' voices to the interpreter's audio, is transmitted correctly.
If you're using a system where dedicated receivers are distributed, determine the number of units based on the number of people who need interpreters, and be sure to have spares on hand.
If supporting multiple languages, a system is required that allows for separate audio interpretations to be delivered to participants for each language.
In addition, you should decide in advance which audio will be sent where, and who will operate and verify the equipment on the day of the event.
Key points when setting up simultaneous interpretation booths
Simultaneous interpretation booths cannot simply be placed within the venue.
It is important to create an environment where interpreters can easily hear what is being said and concentrate on their work while checking the speakers and materials.
The points to check when installing are as follows:
It should be positioned so that the interpreter can see the speakers and the screen.
Ensure there is enough space for the interpreter to work.
Minimizing sound leakage into the venue and reducing the impact of external noise.
Check the connections to the power supply, wiring, and sound equipment.
Now, let's take a closer look at each of these points.
At LIFE.14 Co., Ltd., we provide technical support for international events, including simultaneous interpretation equipment, audio, video, streaming, and filming.
If you'd like to reduce the need to coordinate with multiple technical companies and entrust everything from setup to on-site technical support to a single company, please contact us.
It should be positioned so that the interpreter can see the speakers and the screen.
It is important to position simultaneous interpretation booths in a location where interpreters can see the speakers, moderators, participants speaking, and screens.
Interpreters understand the content not only by listening to the audio, but also by observing the speaker's facial expressions and gestures, the materials they are pointing to, and the overall atmosphere of the venue.
Therefore, be sure to check in advance whether your view will be obstructed by pillars, large speakers, lighting equipment, or filming equipment.
Additionally, reflections from lighting or screens on the booth windows can make it difficult to see the stage or materials.
When setting up the venue, it is important to adjust everything, including the orientation of the booths and the angle of the lighting.
If there are online presenters or if it's difficult to see the venue screen from the booth, providing a monitor for the interpreter will help ensure a smoother experience.
Ensure there is enough space for the interpreter to work.
Ensure there is enough space in the booth for the interpreter to work comfortably.
In simultaneous interpretation, multiple interpreters may take turns providing the service.
Therefore, space is needed for placing interpretation equipment and materials, as well as pathways for interpreters to move in and out.
When deciding on the size of your booth, consider the following:
Space to place interpreting equipment and microphones
Space to place a computer or tablet
A space to check scripts, presentation materials, and glossaries.
Movement when interpreters change
Space to place drinks and writing utensils
Space to safely pass cables
Furthermore, since booths may be used for extended periods, attention must be paid to ventilation, air conditioning, and lighting.
Make sure to check that no equipment noise is picked up by microphones or headphones, and create an environment where interpreters can concentrate easily.
Minimizing sound leakage into the venue and reducing the impact of external noise.
When setting up a simultaneous interpretation booth, it is important to choose a location where the interpreter's voice is less likely to leak into the venue, and conversely, where venue noise is less likely to enter the booth.
Since the interpreter continues translating while the speaker is speaking, if there is significant sound leakage, nearby participants may hear both the speaker's voice and the interpreter's voice at the same time.
Additionally, background noise such as conversations, music, and air conditioning sounds from the venue can enter the booth, making it difficult for the interpreter to hear what is being said.
Therefore, try to avoid setting up your booth in the following locations:
Near the venue's speakers
Near entrances and reception areas
A passageway frequently used by participants
Near the catering area and waiting rooms
Near equipment that makes loud noises, such as air conditioning systems.
Right next to the operations desk where staff members often talk to each other.
Portable booths, in particular, are more susceptible to ambient noise than full-size booths, so extra care must be taken regarding their distance from the audience and their placement.
Check the connections to the power supply, wiring, and sound equipment.
Simultaneous interpretation requires not only a power supply to operate the equipment in the booth, but also a connection to the venue's sound system.
If you are conducting an online broadcast, make sure to check the connection with the broadcasting equipment.
Beforehand, check the distance from the booth's installation location to the power supply and sound mixing console, and determine the necessary cable types, lengths, and wiring routes.
If cables cross a passageway, safety precautions should be taken, such as using cable covers to prevent participants and staff from tripping.
The audio flow you should pay particular attention to is as follows:
Will the speaker's microphone audio reach the interpreter?
Will the questions from the audience reach the interpreter?
Will the audio of online speakers reach the interpreter?
Is the interpreter's voice being sent to the correct language channel?
Can participants choose their preferred language on their receiver?
Will the interpreted audio reach online participants as well?
If you are going to stream or record the event, you need to check not only the audio from the venue but also the audio from the online side.
Before the actual performance, don't just connect the equipment; check the audio using actual receivers, earphones, and even online viewing devices.
Furthermore, it's important to decide in advance on the roles of interpreter, sound engineer, and broadcaster in case of audio problems.
How to determine the number of simultaneous interpretation booths needed
The number of simultaneous interpretation booths required is not determined solely by the number of participants.
The cost varies depending on factors such as the number of languages covered, the direction of interpretation, the number of interpreters, the number of sessions running simultaneously, and the venue layout.
The main points we want to check are as follows:
Points to check | Confirmation details |
• Language to interpret Direction of interpretation | What languages will be translated from and to? Is it necessary to interpret into multiple languages simultaneously? |
The number of venues and lectures to be interpreted simultaneously | When interpreting simultaneously at multiple venues or lectures, is a separate booth necessary for each? |
Number of interpreters | How many people will be working in each booth? How much space and equipment will be needed, including for the substitute interpreters? |
Existing facilities at the venue | Are there permanent interpreting booths or facilities? Can the above be used as is? |
Installation space | Can the booth be placed in a location where the stage or screen is visible? - Are there any obstacles to entry/exit or wiring? |
When considering the number of booths you will need, check them in the following order:
Identify the languages to be used at the event.
Confirm which languages you will be translating from and to.
Check the number of languages for the audio interpretation provided to participants.
Please confirm if two-way interpretation is required.
Check the number of venues and sessions running simultaneously.
Check the number of interpreters working at each booth.
Check the permanent booths and existing facilities at the venue.
Even with the same language setup, if sessions are held simultaneously in multiple venues, an interpreter booth may be required at each venue.
Conversely, even at events with many participants, if there is only one language to interpret and the sessions are held in only one venue, there is no need to increase the number of booths simply because of the number of participants.
Furthermore, the number of participants primarily affects the number of receivers and earphones required for each participant.
When considering the number of booths you will need, having the following information prepared in advance will make it easier to consult with equipment and technical companies.
Venue map
Event schedule
Language to use
Combination of source and recipient of interpretation
Number of concurrent sessions
Duration of each session
Planned number of interpreters
Number of participants using audio interpretation
Presence or absence of online speakers or online participants
Whether or not it is recorded or streamed
Thus, when deciding on the number of simultaneous interpretation booths, it's important to consider not only the number of languages but also the direction of interpretation, the interpreter setup, venue facilities, and the event's overall flow.
Examples of technical support for simultaneous interpretation
Our company provides technical support for international and hybrid events, including photography, sound, and live streaming.
Related examples are as follows:
A hybrid event attended by President Parmelin, held at the Swiss Ambassador's residence.
Hybrid event hosted by European embassies
Hybrid event hosted by the Australian Embassy
Let's take a closer look at each case below.
Please note that the following examples include cases where the use of simultaneous interpretation booths could not be confirmed. Therefore, we will focus on the peripheral technologies such as audio, video, and streaming required for international events.
A hybrid event attended by President Parmelin, held at the Swiss Ambassador's residence.
At the hybrid event held at the Swiss Ambassador's residence in Japan, I was responsible for setting up the streaming equipment and improving the sound environment to ensure smooth communication between the speakers at the venue and the online participants.
The venue is equipped with monitors and speakers, and a control booth is also set up for operating the sound and broadcasting systems.
We appropriately adjusted the audio from the venue's microphones, the audio from online participants, and the audio played through the speakers to create an environment that connected the venue and the online participants.
In international hybrid events, it's not enough for the sound to be audible only within the venue.
Designing the event to correctly deliver the necessary audio to each audience—speakers, online participants, venue speakers, and streaming destinations—is crucial.
Hybrid event hosted by European embassies
For hybrid events involving embassies from European countries, I was responsible for both on-site photography and online streaming.
The event was held in a hybrid format, with guests invited to the venue, and was simultaneously streamed in both Japanese and English.
In these multilingual events, it's crucial to design the audio so that not only the video but also the audio in each language reaches the appropriate distribution destination.
For hybrid events, it's crucial to check the connection environment beforehand and ensure that audio and video are transmitted correctly.
Even when combining simultaneous interpretation, it is necessary to decide in advance how the audio will be delivered to the interpreter and how the translated audio will be delivered to the participants.
Hybrid event hosted by the Australian Embassy
For a hybrid event hosted by the Australian Embassy, I was in charge of filming and streaming the event, which combined a film screening with a post-show discussion.
The event includes audience participation at the venue, and after the film screening, a talk by the speakers is delivered both online and offline.
When incorporating simultaneous interpretation into such events, it is necessary to add an audio channel that sends the audio from speakers and video to the interpreter, and then delivers the interpreted audio to the in-person attendees and online viewers.
Let's ensure smooth operation by setting up simultaneous interpretation booths and necessary equipment.
Simultaneous interpretation requires proper connection of microphones, interpretation equipment, headphones, and venue sound systems.
The number of booths is generally determined by considering factors such as the number of languages spoken, the number of interpreters, the number of simultaneous conferences, and the venue's facilities.
Ensure the installation location and wiring are safe, and for hybrid events, make sure that the correct audio is delivered to both the in-person and online audiences.
LIFE.14 Co., Ltd. provides technical support for events, including setting up simultaneous interpretation for international conferences and corporate events, as well as audio, video, online streaming, and photography.
If you're unsure about selecting or setting up simultaneous interpretation booths, or what equipment configuration is necessary, please feel free to contact us for advice on everything from technical design tailored to your venue and event to on-site operation. ＃ international event tokyo
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