LOS ANGELES – The 53rd Annual Grammys at the Staples Center featured Barbra Streisand and Bruno Mars, pictured here. Audio-Technica reported that more than 150 of its hard-wired microphones and Artist Elite 5000 series UHF wireless systems were used by Streisand, Mars and others at the event, with mixers also relying on AT4050ST stereo condenser microphones. Shure also reported the use of its gear, from the opening tribute to Aretha Franklin at the top of the show to one of the last segments featuring Mick Jagger.
ATK AudioTek provided the sound system. Ron Reaves and Mikael Stewart served as the FOH engineers, with the house audio supervised by Leslie Ann Jones. M3 (Music Mix Mobile) had Eclipse and Horizon trucks on-site, manned by broadcast music mixers John Harris and Eric Schilling. Tom Holmes oversaw the broadcast mix, with Phil Ramone and Hank Neuberger supervising the broadcast audio. Michael Abbott returned as audio coordinator, and M3's Joel Singer served as engineer-in-charge for the Eclipse broadcast mix truck, while M3's Mark Linett served as engineer-in-charge in the offline Horizon remix truck.
"We've been using A-T on the show as long as I have been FOH, and most notably the new AT4050ST has proven itself as a great stereo overhead mic," said Reaves. "Working with the M3 team, I have been exposed to Audio-Technica products on a broad scale, and A-T has definitely won me over," added Linett. For the home audience, CBS once again served up the show in HDTV, with 1,080 lines of picture resolution and 5.1-channel surround sound.
Bruno Mars, B.o.B and Janelle Monáe used Audio-Technica's Artist Elite 5000 Series UHF Wireless System, as did Esperanza Spaulding and Bob Dylan. All performed using wireless AEW-T5400 cardioid condenser microphone/transmitters for vocals. Dylan performed with Avett Brothers and Mumford and Sons, who used hard-wired AE5400s and wireless AEW-T5400s, respectively. Barbra Streisand also sang "Evergreen" using a hard-wired AE5400.
The backline mic complement of A-T wired microphones included additional AE5400s for backing vocals, horns and rotary speaker cabinets (high and low); ATM350 cardioid condenser clip-on microphone for strings; AE5100 cardioid condenser instrument microphone for hi hat and ride; AT4050ST stereo condenser microphone for overheads; and AT4080 Phantom-powered bidirectional ribbon microphones and AT4050 multi-pattern condenser microphone for guitar cabinets.
Other microphone manufacturers represented on the stage included Shure. Yolanda Adams used a UR2/KSM9 wireless and Martina McBride had a UR2/SM58. Jennifer Hudson also used a UR2/SM58. The same 58 wireless handhelds were later used on the Cee Lo Green segment featuring Gwyneth Paltrow and the Muppets. Mick Jagger also used a 58 wireless handheld. Shure products reported as part of the backline included the KSM313 ribbon mic, Beta 56A, Beta 91, SM57 and SM58 as vocal mics.
For more information, please visit www.audio-technica.com and www.shure.com.
