Audio-Technica supplied more than 120 vocal and instrument microphones for the 50th Annual Country Music Association (CMA) Awards, presented Wednesday, November 2, 2016, at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville.
Broadcast live in 5.1-channel surround sound on the ABC television network, the awards show featured an extensive selection of Audio-Technica hard-wired microphones, plus Artist Elite 5000 Series UHF wireless systems with AEW-T6100a handheld microphone/transmitter. Audio-Technica microphones were chosen for their ability to provide clear and consistent audio quality for live broadcast.
The CMA Awards presentation is recognized as Country Music’s Biggest Night and represents the pinnacle of achievement for those involved in country music.
The team of industry veterans responsible for the audio at this year’s CMA’s again included a who’s-who of broadcast audio. Tom Davis served as audio producer; Kevin Sanford served as audio coordinator; ATK/Audiotek provided the sound system with front of house mixers Patrick Baltzell (production mixer) and Rick Shimer (music mixer); the broadcast music mix was handled by New Jersey/California-based M3’s (Music Mix Mobile’s) John Harris and Jay Vicari; J. Mark King served as broadcast production mixer. Stage monitoring was handled by Tom Pesa and Jason Spence, and James Stoffo served as RF coordinator/microphone tech.
Audio-Technica’s Artist Elite 5000 Series UHF wireless system with the AEW-T6100a hypercardioid dynamic handheld microphone/transmitter was used for lead vocals by A-T endorser Jason Aldean, who performed “Brand New Man” with Brooks & Dunn; and fellow A-T endorser Thomas Rhett, who performed “Die a Happy Man,” winner of the “Single of the Year” award during the broadcast.
The backline mic complement of A-T wired microphones included the AT4081 phantom-powered bidirectional ribbon microphone on guitars; AT4050 multi-pattern condenser Microphone on overheads; AT4047/SV cardioid condenser microphone on guitars; AE2500 dual-element cardioid instrument microphone on kick drum; AE5100 cardioid condenser instrument microphone on hi-hat and ride cymbals; ATM650 hypercardioid dynamic instrument microphone on snare; and ATM350 cardioid condenser clip-on microphone and ATM250 hypercardioid dynamic instrument microphone on toms.
“We look forward to the CMA’s every year for many reasons, one of which is the opportunity to work with the artist relations and on-site technical support from our friends at Audio-Technica,” states co-broadcast mixer John Harris. “Their microphones work great, and having such a professional organization as Audio-Technica in your corner really makes the whole evening run more smoothly, which is invaluable on a high-stakes live broadcast.”
Tom Davis, audio producer of the 50th Annual CMA Awards, remarks, “Year after year, Audio-Technica continues to be a key supporter of our technical team for the CMA Awards. Their on-site technical support and artist relations team are great to work with, and of course their mics provide consistently reliable and great sound.”
