For decades, Sammy Hagar has been considered one of rock and roll’s all-time greatest lead singers and musicians. Hagar’s passion for music is rivaled only by his commitment to giving back. The best of both worlds recently came together when Hagar was honored for his philanthropic work at the annual Adopt the Arts Rock Gala at the Avalon Theatre in Hollywood.
Kings of Chaos front of house engineer and production manager Greg Rideout chose a selection of microphones from DPA Microphones for the high-profile event.
Adopt the Arts co-founder and former drummer for Guns n’ Roses and Velvet Revolver Matt Sorum took to the stage along with an all-star lineup of some of the biggest names in rock and roll, featuring the Kings of Chaos including Matt Sorum, Steve Stevens, Billy Duffy, Dean and Robert DeLeo, Kenny Aronoff, Michael Anthony, Paul Ill, Steve Luthaker, Phil X, Bernard Fowler, Damon Fox, Stevie Salas, Billy Gibbons and Frankie Perez.
“This particular gig had many challenging components, including dual drum kits, over eight guitar rigs, a kids’ choir plus a complete audio input interface with redundant stereo program feeds to AXS TV for Sammy’s show,” says Rideout. “From the beginning, the level of support I received from the DPA team has been incredible. DPA delivered the mics and the company was there for me every step of the way. DPA completely covered my input list. Sound Image Nashville was a big help in dealing with time constraints on the day of show by letting me come into the shop and pre-program the console.”
In total, Rideout used six d:vote 4099 instrument microphones, nine d:dicate 2011C cardioid microphones and six d:facto 4018V supercardioid microphones for vocals. The d:vote 4099s were used on all toms for drummers Matt Sorum and Kenny Aronoff’s kits. The d:dicate 2011Cs were used on all cymbals and choir (rides, high hats and overheads) and the d:facto 4018V mics and capsules were used on all wired vocals, the main wireless vocal mic and the MC’s wireless mic.
“DPA sent me an arsenal of mics,” adds Rideout. “They have such a great sound, are small, easy to deploy, travel well and handle very high SPL levels with gain before feedback. They are such transparent mics that sound so natural. DPA mics are also very reliable, which is important because they allow me to focus solely on my mix. With the DPAs, I don’t have to color or decolor a lot of the microphone inputs. I just use a little bit of high pass and low pass filter and very minimal EQ. In addition, the mounting hardware and accessories are amazing. DPA is definitely the main microphone in my inventory.”
Adopt the Arts Foundation is a 501(c)(3) Non-profit funding arts programs in public elementary schools. Adopt the Arts was co-founded in 2012 by Matt Sorum and Abby Berman. It is the mission of Adopt the Arts to bring together well-known artists, public figures, entrepreneurs, policymakers and the general public to save the arts in America’s public schools.
“It was an honor that Abby and Matt entrusted me to mix a cast of legendary rock stars,” says Rideout. “It was challenging, in a good way, and all parties involved worked really well together. Everybody came together and really made this a great event and it was a pleasure to be involved.”
