Shure’s Axient Digital Wireless System first choice for Patchwork London on NME's "Best Live Act 2022”

LONDON, July 27th, 2022- Shure, a leading manufacturer of microphones and audio electronics, supports Patchwork London on NME Best Live Act 2022 winner Rina Sawayama.

Japanese-born singer-songwriter, model and actress Rina Sawayama, released her debut album during lockdown on the Dirty Hit Label to rave reviews, like ‘something truly beautiful’ (NPR). Her diverse sound from straight-up Pop to the metal influenced heavy guitar riffs, has something of a diverse appeal.

On her first large scale tour with lots of energetic choreography and dancing, , a premium wireless microphone system was a necessity. Patchwork London’s Touring Director and Rina’s Production Manager / Front of house Engineer, Calum Mordue selected Shure Axient Digital Wireless System and AD2 microphones with Shure PSM1000s In-Ear Monitoring System.

The solid stability of the digital set-up on Axient Digital Wireless System, paired fantastically with the demands of the large video wall at the Roundhouse. Aside from the video wall, the set including riser platform, staircase, lighting, and sound was used throughout the tour, to ensure each audience received the same experience. Freedom on stage was important and Axient Digital Wireless System allowed this, with the faith that there would be no signal degradation.

On the tour, Patchwork found the sound quality of Axient Digital Wireless System to be impeccable with extremely low latency. Calum was keen to keep the show as digital as possible. He was particularly impressed with the RF and sound quality, whilst keeping the full signal chain digital from the AES outputs from the wireless transmitter into the desk, digital processing by the desk and then out to the amplifier rack without multiple conversions.

Calum adds: “The NME show had particular RF challenges with 5 acts playing the award show with huge numbers of channels of RF, using Shure’s Axient Digital meant we could licence in a broad range of wireless spectrum which was really useful.”

Along with being impressed by the sound quality, the Patchwork Prep Team found the system very easy to use: “The Wireless Workbench integration is fantastic, the speed at which we could change and deploy frequencies to units was astounding, and the 4 channels receiver in one rack is such a winner – I don’t know any other manufacturer where you can get 4 channels in one 19” rack.” concludes Calum.

Shure are well known for their dedicated in-house training and support, though in this case Patchwork found no training was required to set-up and use the system, which they stated was “further testament to how easy it is to use.”  Calum was keen to praise the support, adding that “Working with Jack Drury from the Market Development team at Shure is fantastic. Any niche request is dealt – on another project, last minute we were asked for a Chrome AD2 Microphone which resulted in him personally hand delivering it within 2 hours – I was very impressed.”