LONDON — As the Torch Relay made its way around the UK in the run-up to the 2012 Summer Olympic Games, DPA Microphones were part of the production gear package supporting a total of 70 evening celebrations as well as the daily ceremonial lighting of the Olympic cauldron during the Games themselves.
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Among the items on the extensive sound, lighting and power equipment list for the Torch Relays were DPA d:fine Headset Microphones, supplied by DPA’s UK distributor, Sound Network. These were used to mic a wide range of dancers, actors, presenters and TV presenters at every one of the 70 locations.
“We chose the DPA d:fine Headset Microphones for their discreet profile and sensitive capsules,” says sound engineer Doug Maddison, who was responsible for the on-stage sound at the evening gigs. “We specified the cardioid version to try and reduce spill and feedback from the monitors and the PA. This was important as the presenters were often standing in front of the PA to address the audience.”
Among the artists who took part in the evening celebrations were Dizzee Rascal, Labrinth, Eliza Doolittle, Friendly Fires, The Wanted, You Me At Six, Mark Ronson, Katy B, Emeli Sandé, Wretch 32 and dance troupe Twist And Pulse. A number of presenters were also involved in each leg of the relay, including former ‘Blue Peter’ presenter Andy Akinwolere.
“When I heard I was doing 70 gigs in a row on monitors with multiple headset microphones, I did wonder if I was going to go mad, but thanks to DPA I was very pleasantly surprised,” adds Maddison. “The d:fine mics performed really well and required very little EQ’ing. Normally, if I am using headset microphones, I would anticipate having to do some very careful EQ’ing to achieve either a quiet but full sound or a loud but very modified sound with lots of missing frequencies. However, on the first day of using the d:fines, I found that it was possible to use the same output wedge EQ that I used for a band with dynamic microphones, without having to do much EQ-ing on the d:fine input. The result was impressively loud and clear.”
Maddison’s experience fitting the d:fine microphones to artists, performers and presenters was also very positive. “They were very comfortable for the performers and incredibly easy to fit – to the extent that some artists could actually mic themselves,” says Maddison. “Even the breakdancers acrobatic performers had no trouble keeping the d:fines in place.”
Over 1.5 million people watched the Torch Relay evening celebrations, some of which took place in seriously adverse weather conditions. “We were outside for 70 days and it rained non-stop for about 36 of those,” adds Maddison. “The d:fines were used every day and regularly got soaked. Once we dried the microphones out in a box of silica gel, their performance quickly returned to normal.”
One thing Maddison did discover is that, compared to previous microphones he has used, the cardioid version of the DPA d:fine proved very effective in high winds.
“Overall, we were really delighted with their performance,” he concludes. “They looked great, they sounded great and all I can say is thank you, DPA, for making it all so easy.”
