Shure Wireless Mics and PSMs Power 50th ACM Awards

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 AXT200/SM58 4 Rechargeable, remotely controllable, single/dual frequency handheld transmitter.
AXT400 AXT400 2 Wideband, networkable, dual channel receiver with frequency diversity and interference detection
P10T P10T 10 Full-rack, dual channel wireless transmitter housed in a touring-grade, all-metal chassis.
P10R P10R 64 Diversity wireless bodypack receiver offers premium features for use with the PSM 1000 In-Ear Personal Monitoring System.
UHF-R 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 UR2/SM58 12 With an interchangeable SM58® microphone cartridge, the UR2/SM58 features rugged, lightweight construction and an antenna design which advances RF transmission reliability.
UR2/BETA58 UR2/BETA58 4 Includes a Beta 58A and UR2 Handheld Transmitter for professional vocal performance applications.
UR2/KSM9 UR2/KSM9 3 Includes a KSM9 and UR2 Handheld Transmitter for professional vocal performance applications.