NASHVILLE – Audio-Technica marked its 17th year of supporting the Country Music Association (CMA) Awards with an extensive selection of vocal and instrument microphones for its annual awards show. Some performing during Country Music's Biggest Night, including the Zac Brown Band and Gwyneth Paltrow, also used Shure gear.
The 44th Annual CMA Awards was broadcast live in 5.1-channel surround sound on ABC from the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville. The event featured over 200 Audio-Technica microphones, including an array of hard-wired mics and Artist Elite 5000 Series UHF Wireless Systems. The Shure gear included Super 55 microphones used by the Zac Brown Band, a Shure UR2/Beta 58 used for Paltrow's country music debut, and a UR2/KSM9 wireless microphone used by Vince Gill.
Audio producers Michael Abbott and Tom Davis led the audio team at this year's CMAs. ATK/Audiotek provided the sound system and FOH mixers included Patrick Baltzell and Rick Shimer. Music Mix Mobile's John Harris and Jay Vicari, meanwhile, handled the broadcast music mix.
Several performers used Audio-Technica's Artist Elite 5000 Series UHF Wireless System during the course of the show. Taylor Swift paired the 5000 Series system with the AEW-T3300 Cardioid Condenser Handheld Transmitter for her lead vocals. Kenny Chesney performed with the 5000 Series and the AEW-T5400 Cardioid Condenser Handheld Transmitter, and Jason Aldean used the AEW-T6100 Hypercardioid Dynamic Handheld Transmitter. Other AEW-T5400 users included Loretta Lynn, The Band Perry and Kelly Clarkson.
The backline mic complement of A-T wired microphones included the AT4080 Phantom-powered Bidirectional Ribbon Microphone on guitars; AE3000 Cardioid Condenser Instrument Microphone on snare and rotary speaker; AT4050 Multi-Pattern Condenser Microphone on guitars and bass; AT4040 Cardioid Condenser Microphone on overheads; AE2500 Dual-Element Cardioid Instrument Microphone on kick drum; AE5100 Cardioid Condenser Instrument Microphone on hi-hat and ride cymbals; AE5400 Cardioid Condenser Microphone on rotary speaker; ATM450 Cardioid Condenser Instrument Microphone on ride cymbals; ATM650 Dynamic Instrument Microphone on snare and rotary speaker; and ATM350 Cardioid Condenser Clip-On Microphone on toms and fiddle/violin.
Vicari credited the A-T gear as "industry-leading" and "consistent from mic to mic," and also complimented the artist relations team and on-site support.
For more information, please visit www.audio-technica.com and www.shure.com.
