The recent 59th Academy of Country Music (ACM) Awards at The Star in Frisco, TX featured numerous live performances supported by ATK Audiotek (based in Valencia, CA) deploying equipment that included Shure Axient Digital wireless microphone systems and PSM 1000 in-ear personal monitoring systems.
Antenna infrastructure and coordination was managed by Soundtronics (Burbank, CA), with the RF coordinator for the event, Steve Vaughn, noting, “At high-stakes, live broadcast events like the Academy of Country Music Awards, Shure Axient Digital and PSM 1000 always deliver, despite the challenging RF environment and high channel count. With Wireless Workbench, frequency planning and coordination is seamless, saving time and energy when it matters most. We had two instances of Wireless Workbench set up on both sides of the stage, so A2s could monitor frequencies throughout the show as well.”
Front of house production was managed by Barry Warwick and FOH music was overseen by Jeff Peterson. Meanwhile, the production broadcast mix was helmed by Mark King, along with music mixers Eric Schilling and Biff Dawes. Monitors were handled by Tom Pesa and Andres Arango, who says, “PSM 1000 is still the number one choice and still the most requested IEM for award shows.” Overall, 120 P10R bodypack receivers were deployed.
The evening also saw the application of Shure’s newest microphone platform, Nexadyne with Revonic dual transducer technology, utilized in performances by Gwen Stefani and Thomas Rhett. “The Nexadyne 8/C capsule has quickly become a valuable tool for our show. Its rejection and balanced response provide confidence that Thomas Rhett’s voice will be represented consistently each night, even in challenging situations,” says Trey Smith, FOH mixer for Thomas Rhett.
Dawes adds, “Shure’s new Nexadyne mic capsule made it easy to keep Gwen (Stefani)’s vocal on top of the mix. When her voice reaches viewers tuning in to the broadcast, I know it’s going to sound as clear and impactful as it does for every corner of the audience here at the ACM Awards.”
A host of other Shure capsules also graced the ACM Awards stage. For their duet of “Think I’m in Love With You,” Chris Stapleton sang into a vintage SM58 while Dua Lipa performed with a KSM11. Entertainer of the Year winner Lainey Wilson performed “God Blessed Texas” and “Hang Tight Honey” with the SM58 while Tigirlily Gold performed “I Tried A Ring On” and Parker McCollum sang “Burn it Down’ with SM58s.
In total, the awards show relied on 11 AD4Q four-channel digital wireless receivers, an AD4D two-channel digital wireless receiver, and three UR4D dual wireless receivers. “It’s always a pleasure to work with the team that brings the ACM Awards to life. Congratulations on another excellent production,” concludes Ryan Smith, manager of artist relations at Shure.
