NILES, IL, May 30, 2013 — To ensure a flawless performance at the 2013 Billboard Latin Music Awards, for the home audience viewing the event on Telemundo and those inside the BankUnited Center in Coral Gables, Florida, producers elected to use Shure wireless systems exclusively, for microphones and in-ear monitors.
“The Latin Billboards was an all-Shure show this year,” notes RF specialist James Stoffo, who handled operation and frequency coordination at the event for Professional Wireless Services (PWS). “Every wireless microphone and in-ear monitor were Shure. We used Axient® as the main hosts’ and primary music performers’ wireless microphones and all of the in-ear monitors were PSM® 1000.”
The show featured a diverse series of performances by acclaimed Latin artists, including one of the night’s big winners, Don Omar, whose ten awards included Male Artist of the Year. Other notable performances included Maná with Draco Rosa; Carlos Vives with Michel Teló; Marc Anthony’s new single; and classical crossover vocalists Il Volo, singing an homage to Lifetime Achievement Award winner José José.
A recognized wireless expert, who is also Chief Technology Officer for Radio Active Designs, James Stoffo appreciates the extra measure of reliability that Axient provides for live broadcasts. “Telemundo specified Axient wireless microphone systems for all main hosts and primary music performances. This is mainly because of the back up frequency capability of Axient,” he states. “From my perspective, the RF performance of Axient is superior to every other system on the market today. This is especially important, because this show had well over 100 frequencies on a relatively small stage area. In addition, all audio mixers agree that the Axient system provides better audio quality than any other system.”
Wireless vocals were performed on a mix of Shure Axient and UHF-R® wireless systems, with ten channels of each employed during the production. Microphone capsules were matched to the performers’ voices, and included the new KSM9HS and Beta 58®A elements. All 16 in-ear channels were handled by PSM 1000 personal monitor systems.
“The PSM 1000 diversity packs and unique implementing of the variable gain RF amplifier in the IEM receivers gave us top-shelf performance,” says Stoffo. “IEMs require special attention on TV award shows due to the backdrop of video walls and lighting curtains in close proximity to the performers. This is where the variable gain RF amp in the PSM 1000 receiver really shines.”
The Latin Billboard Awards production was overseen by Field Production Supervisor J.C. Aguila of Telemundo, aided by Frank Guerra, Audio Department Manager. The audio vendors for the event included Miami-based Acoutech (PA system and mixing consoles), Professional Wireless Systems (RF mics and in-ears), and East Shore Sound (RF mics and comm systems).
Mixing for the Telemundo broadcast was handled by engineers Jorge Pacheco (show mix) and Eric Schilling (music mix), with the front of house sound inside the venue mixed by Joe Lizano (music) and Rafael Alkins (show mix). The chief monitor engineer was Jorge Frontera.
Shure hard-wired microphones were also used across all live performances for instruments and backing vocals. Of particular note were four VP89 stereo mics, used by ambient mic mixer Gary Baldissari to augment the shotguns used to enhance the broadcast’s surround sound.
The other big winners at the Latin Billboard Awards included Jenni Rivera, whose career ended in a tragic plane crash last December. Rivera won six awards and was honored with a video tribute, introduced by actor Edward James Olmos. Other multiple award winners included Prince Royce, Shakira, Maná, Romeo Santos, La Arrolladora Banda el Limón de René Camacho, and Natty Natasha.
“We were honored to have our products selected by Telemundo for an important live broadcast like the Billboard Latin Music Awards,” said Gabriel Benitez, Market Development Manager for Shure. “The wireless systems all performed flawlessly and sounded great. It was an honor to be on site and see our products used by all the biggest stars in the world of Latin music.”