NEW YORK — Cast members performing in the off-Broadway production of Ruthless were faced with a demanding regimen of rapid costume changes. ACIR Professional, which supported the show’s audio needs, steered the cast toward DPA Microphones’ d:screet Necklace Microphone.
More details from DPA Microphones (www.dpamicrophones.com):
John Grasso, managing owner of ACIR Professional, a provider of complete audio system solutions to live theater, house-of-worship and other markets, was tasked with supplying microphones for the adaptation of the musical Ruthless. Due to the Off-Broadway production’s fast-paced costume changes, Grasso, whose company also determines its customers’ rental or installation needs, introduced St. Luke’s theatre to DPA Microphones’ d:screet Necklace Microphone, which he calls a game-changer for the audio industry.
Grasso served for more than two decades as an engineer in live and touring applications with the likes of such artists as Liza Minnelli, The Temptations and The Nylons. When it came time to source microphones for Ruthless, the industry veteran selected eight of DPA’s d:screet Necklace Microphones.
“The cast has a good amount of costume changes, with little to no time between scenes, so with the d:screet Necklace, the actors can easily switch wardrobe without having to worry about positioning a microphone,” explains Grasso. “Not only is the d:screet Necklace convenient, but it sounds so natural.”
Built with DPA’s legendary d:screet 4061 Omnidirectional Miniature Capsule in a soft rubber necklace, the d:screet Necklace Microphone offers fast, “do-it-yourself” mounting, ideal for situations requiring quick costume changes. “What’s better than the actor being able to take care of the mic himself?,” says Grasso. “The cast loves how easy it is to wear, and how great and natural the mics sound. I’ve been a fan of DPA for years and will say the difference between their mics and the competition is huge—the benefit of having gain before feedback, also not hearing the actors breathing into the mic, is great. I just love what they offer.”
In addition to the d:screet Necklace Microphone, ACIR Professional favors DPA’s d:vote 4099 Instrument Microphones. “The d:vote Instrument Mics offer a range of clips that make it so versatile,” explains Grasso. “Working with a variety of artists and venues requires that we invest in adaptable, high-end microphones. Having an all-purpose mic like the d:vote 4099 in your kit digs you out of a lot of holes.”
Before founding ACIR Productions with Young, Grasso served as the lead audio engineer at the Sands Resort & Casino in Atlantic City, New Jersey. He has worked as a touring and monitoring engineer in a system-support position for artists such as Tony Bennett, Cher and many others. A member of the Motion Picture Studio Mechanics Local 52 I.A.T.S.E., Grasso has also worked on major films, including The Producers and Across the Universe.
