UNCASVILLE, CT – Matchbox Twenty lead singer Rob Thomas has embarked on a solo tour of North America with a selection of Sennheiser and Neumann wireless and wired microphones as well as wireless guitar systems. The setup also includes the company's new 2000 Series IEM transmitters and receivers for Thomas, his band, background singers and backline techs.
Jim Yakabuski, who regularly mixes front-of-house for Thomas and Matchbox Twenty as well as Avril Lavigne, noted that "the big-ticket item is the new EM 3732 receiver. We've got four channels. It looks great, has a nice wide range, and so far has been great. We've had absolutely no troubles with RF.
"Thomas is using a Sennheiser SKM 5200 handheld transmitter," Yakabuski added. "We're using four of those, all with Neumann KK 104 capsules. One is the main, number two is used as the piano vocal mic and is also the backup, and the other two are spares for guest vocalists."
The four background singers, two of whom are also musicians in Thomas' band, are using Sennheiser e 935 vocal microphones. "I still think that's the standard dynamic wired microphone," said Yakabuski. "It's so easy to work with. The way P.A. systems are tuned these days they're so hi-fi sounding, and this mic sounds great through them."
The tour, which is in support of the latest album from Thomas, Cradlesong, is carrying eight channels of Sennheiser's new 2000 Series IEM transmitters along with 16 channels of receivers.
"The audio company that I'm associated with, and that's doing the tour, LMG Touring, bought the personal monitor system with the SR 2050, the new IEM twin transmitter," Yakabuski said. "Those have been great. And we bought 16 of the EK 2000 belt packs."
He added, "Being a front-of-house guy I lose touch with the IEM world, but every monitor guy I talk to says that Sennheiser is still the gold standard as far as quality of audio and RF. I know Rob, especially, and the band have been raving about the sound of the ear mixes."
A number of Sennheiser and Neumann microphones also appear across the backline, according to the FOH engineer: "We're using a pair of the Neumann KM 184s for hi-hat and ride. I also have four e 914 condenser mics across the front of the stage for my audience response for ears and my recordings. They work well. And we're using a Sennheiser MD 441 for the snare bottom – which is an odd choice – but it's working out great. Our monitor guy picked that in rehearsals and I've had absolutely no complaints with that choice."
In addition to the microphones and IEM rigs, the tour is also using wireless instrument systems. "We're using a bunch of G2 stuff – five EM 550 receivers and ten of the SK 500 belt packs for wireless guitars," he said.
Yakabuski is particularly impressed with the newer products. "Both the 2000 Series personal monitors and the 3732 vocal mic receivers are beautiful products. They're just engineered so nicely," he said.
The Cradlesong Tour of North America included a trip into Canada and concluded with a three-night stand at New York's Beacon Theatre. A handful of casino theater dates will occur throughout December, and the tour will pick up again at the beginning of February 2010 in Australia.
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