Shure Wireless Mics and PSMs Power 50th ACM Awards
Customer Profile
Located in Arlington, Texas, AT&T Stadium is an 85,000-seat arena home to the Dallas Cowboys. The facility also holds concerts, NCAA games and more.
Challenge
The large choice of venue for the ACM Awards live broadcast had limited open spectrum and high ceilings, representing a major design challenge for everything from PA systems to wireless gear. Wireless coverage was needed for two stages, which were 270 feet end-to- end, the audience and a pick-up truck stage, among other areas.
Solution
Wireless specialists relied on Axient®, PSM® 1000 and UHF-R® systems.
Advantages
The Shure systems captured crystal clear audio without dropouts throughout the event, which set a Guinness world record for highest attendance at any awards show (70,252).
On the occasion of its 50th anniversary, the Academy of Country Music decided to super-size its 2015 awards show by staging it at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The event was broadcast live April 19, 2015 on CBS-TV with returning co-hosts Blake Shelton and Luke Bryan. The choice of venue represented a major design challenge for everything from PA systems to wireless systems. Dave Bellamy of wireless specialist Soundtronics was hired as RF coordinator, responsible for all show-related wireless, including microphones and in-ear monitoring systems.
The primary wireless supplier for the show was California-based ATK Audiotek. The event required more than 40 channels of wireless microphones, 26 of which were for Shure equipment, including four Axient® systems. In addition, all 20 channels of in-ear monitors were exclusively Shure PSM® 1000 systems. The sophisticated antenna design required wasbased on Soundtronics’ proprietary Phoenix 8 system.
Axient, with its exceptional selectivity and unique frequency diversity switching ability, was in evidence throughout the show. AXT200 handheldswere used by Keith Urban and Eric Church for the show’s opening number aswell as for performances by Kenny Chesney (KSM9/HS element), Dierks Bentley (SM58®), and show closer Brad Paisley (SM58). The SM58 was the go-to vocal mic for many artist performances, including UR2 handhelds for Martina McBride, Garth Brooks, Brooks & Dunn, George Strait, Sam Hunt, and Rascal Flatts.
Dave Bellamy was very pleased with the wireless performance throughout the live telecast and didn’t hear a single complaint, either about dropouts orsound quality.
Gear List
Model Number | Quantity | Description | |
---|---|---|---|
AXT200/SM58 | 4 | Handheld frequency diversity transmitter includes an SM58 capsule ultra-linear RF performance for more channels and superb audio quality. | |
AXT400 | 2 | Dual-channel receiver assures a flawless performance, even in congested RF environments and with increasingly limited white space. | |
P10T | 10 | Shure’s P10T Full-Rack, Dual-Channel Wireless Transmitter combines state-of-the-art technology with touring-grade features for professional monitoring applications of any size with no room for error. | |
P10R | 64 | Diversity wireless bodypack receiver offers premium features for use with the PSM 1000 In-Ear Personal Monitoring System. | |
UHF-R | 11 | Wireless system masters the high pressure and extreme conditions of any large-scale touring or installation while delivering uncompromising audio. | |
UR2/SM58 | 12 | Includes an SM58 and UR2 Handheld Transmitter with a lightweight design and an antenna design to advance RF transmission reliability. | |
UR2/BETA58 | 4 | Includes a Beta 58A and UR2 Handheld Transmitter for professional vocal performance applications. | |
UR2/KSM9 | 3 | Includes a KSM9 and UR2 Handheld Transmitter for professional vocal performance applications. |