Rockin’ the New Shure KSM11 Microphone Capsule: Deep Purple Trusts Shure For Its European Tour

Regarded as one of the most influential English rock bands of the 1970s, Deep Purple is delighting its long-time and new fans alike as they embark on a new European tour. For their triumphant return to European stages, Ian Gillan, the band’s lead singer, has adopted the new Shure KSM11 Wireless vocal microphone capsule. Designed specifically for live performance, the KSM11 ensures vocal clarity and transparency that can cut through the mix on the loudest, hardest-rocking stages on earth. 

From Finland to Spain, Deep Purple will be playing across the European continent in a tour that will last several months. The acoustic conditions on stage are particularly special and delicate, as the band works entirely with conventional monitoring. Given the band’s unique blend of hard rock, audiences can expect Deep Purple to get extremely loud on stage. This makes it even more necessary for the band to rely on gear that enables a smooth and effortless mix. 

Tobi Hoff, the band’s front-of-house (FOH) engineer, tested the Shure KSM11 during Deep Purple’s rehearsals in May. After hearing the KSM11, Tobi decided to work with the new microphone capsule combined with Axient® Digital AD2 handheld transmitters throughout the whole European tour. 

“We just finished the first seven weeks of the tour, and we have only used the KSM11. Ian Gillan’s voice is transmitted crystal clear and transparent. Crosstalk from the other instruments to the vocal mic is lower with this new microphone capsule. This is important as it keeps the FOH mix tidy and constant. Overall, the KSM11 sounds a touch more “rock-n-roll.”