Sennheiser Digital Microphones Capture The Sounds Of 2011 U.S. Open Of Surfing

In addition to the pair of MKH 8070 digital microphones, Vahling also used two Sennheiser MKH 70s as spot mics on the crowd, and two Sennheiser SKM 5200 handheld transmitters – which were used for sideline reports with the surfers.

The broadcast truck was situated about 300 yards from the surfing venue, and connected via fiber optic cable.

Vahling says that the performance of the MKH 8070s was nothing short of stellar: “With the Sennheiser digital microphones, you are reproducing exactly what the microphone is hearing, with no loss. Typically with analog mics, you get hiss as you move the faders higher, but with the MKH 8070s, the signal-to-noise ratio and dynamic range is identical whether the fader is low or high. This helps me achieve a much more detailed sound since there is virtually no noise or hiss to contend with, regardless of where my levels are.”

One of the Sennheiser digital microphones deployed for the U.S. Open of Surfing.(click to enlarge)

In addition to using the MKH 8070 in the surfing venue, Vahling specified two Sennheiser MKH 8060 digital shotgun microphones to capture ambient sounds and effects in the skating bowl.

He used these mics in combination with the Neumann DMI 2 portable interface, which made for a fast and convenient set up.

Each of the MKH 8060s – which are short shotgun mics used to pick up sounds at a closer distance than the longer MKH 8070s – were placed approximately 50 feet apart.

“For the skateboarding, I had the mics a bit closer to the action. The MKH 8060s provided a really clean skateboard sound in the bowl and I could really pick up the reflection of the hard surfaces,” says Vahling.

For the BMX riding, which also featured reflective, bowl-shaped surfaces, Vahling used a Neumann KMR 81 D digital shotgun microphone, again in combination with the Neumann DMI 2 portable interface. This set up – which nearly mirrored that of the skate set up – enabled him to get close to the action and pick up ambient sounds of the ramp, and every nuance of sounds emanated by the bike wheels, chains and tires.

For Vahling, the use of digital microphones has helped bring the quality of his broadcasting to a new plateau. “With these microphones, you hear every little thing and the difference in audio quality is substantial. Using the Neumann DMI 2 interfaces, I also appreciate the ability to tweak and remotely control microphone settings. This brings an entirely new element of control when you are broadcasting at that level.”

“As an A1 mix engineer, I am responsible for the sound going over the program, wherever it may feed,” Vahling continues. “The goal is to mix for HD quality, at the level of the Olympics or the Super Bowl. I want to make sound great no matter what technology device or platform the audience is on, and Sennheiser and Neumann digital microphones help me achieve this.”

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