Audio-Technica supplied nearly 100 vocal and instrument microphones for the 52nd Annual Country Music Association (CMA) Awards, presented Wednesday, November 14, 2018, 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 ATW-C6100 hypercardioid dynamic microphone capsule.
The team of industry veterans responsible for the audio at this year’s CMA’s included Tom Davis as audio producer and Kevin Sanford as audio coordinator. ATK Audiotek provided the sound system with front of house mixers Patrick Baltzell (production mixer) and Rick Shimer (music mixer)
Broadcast music mix was handled by New Jersey-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. James Stoffo served as RF coordinator/microphone tech.
Audio-Technica’s Artist Elite 5000 Series UHF wireless system with the ATW-C6100 hypercardioid dynamic microphone capsule was used for lead vocals by Audio-Technica endorsers Jason Aldean (performing with Miranda Lambert), Florida Georgia Line (in a segment with Bebe Rexha) and Cole Swindell (during the Luke Bryan & Friends segment), along with background choir vocals during the Chris Stapleton/Maren Morris/Marty Stuart segment. Aldean and Florida Georgia Line were each nominated in three categories, and Swindell was nominated in two.
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 and choir; 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; and ATM350a cardioid condenser instrument microphone and ATM250 hypercardioid dynamic instrument microphone on toms.
James Stoffo says, “What a pleasure it was to use the new A-Ts for CMAs this year. The RF power output delivered rock-solid performance for the show and made the CMAs this year the smoothest one ever. It is easy to tell that A-T did a great job with the design and introduction of the new wireless system. All performers used the 6100 capsule and the wireless sounded spectacular.”
