ATLANTA —Lorenzo Banda, monitor engineer for Foreigner, is using Digital Hybrid Wireless technology from Lectrosonics for the band’s current tour, which started in February and wraps up next month. He credited the gear for its sound quality, RF agility, range performance and reliability.
In addition to handling all aspects of the band’s monitor system — including mixing — Banda is also responsible for the wireless microphone equipment used during performances.
This includes overseeing lead vocalist Kelly Hansen’s use of the Lectrosonics HH handheld transmitter (equipped with an Earthworks mic capsule), keyboard player Michael Bluestein’s use of a Shure Beta 54 headset mic into a Lectrosonics LMa beltpack transmitter, and saxophonist/guitarist Tom Gimbel’s use of an AKG 414 microphone equipped with a Lectrosonics HM plug-on transmitter (for the sax) and the Lectrosonics LMa transmitter with MI39A cable (for guitar).
On the receiving side, Banda keeps tabs on Lectrosonics R400a diversity receivers and a Venue receiver mainframe equipped with VRS and VRT receiver modules.
“A considerable number of our tour stops include NASCAR and major sports events,” Banda said, noting the challenges posed by RF congestion, and crediting Lectrosonics’ one-touch SmartTune auto frequency selection feature on the Venue receiver system as “invaluable.”
It “makes the process of identifying open frequencies quick and easy,” Banda continued. “The system shows me everything that’s going on in the immediate area and enables me to select an available frequency, without having to jump through hoops.”
Banda cited other advantages including audio quality, range performance and reliability. “Kelly’s HH transmitter feeds through the Venue receiver and the VRT module. Together, this combination is awesome and, in my opinion, is every bit on par with a cabled microphone.”
The HH transmitter and Venue receiver are augmented by two Lectrosonics ALP500 log periodic dipole array antennas, Banda added. “He goes way out into the audience, and I’ve never experienced a dropout.”
For more information, go to www.lectrosonics.com
