Shure Wireless Systems Play A Big Role At Kennedy Center Honors

“The welding rod is about the diameter of a coat hanger,” details Pat Baltzell, “and the mic cable is just as thin. We taped them together, and they all but disappeared on camera.”

On cue, a group of stage A2s carried the stands onstage and positioned them about four feet in front of the choir. “The mics were in perfect position, high and in front of the group, yet didn’t interfere with the shot,” relates Baltzell. “When you see it on video, it’s like magic –superb sound with no mics in view. It really worked out great.”

Where visibility was not an issue, Shure handheld transmitters were in ample evidence throughout the evening. “It’s really one of the main reasons we went with Shure wireless,” says Ed Greene. “First and foremost, I love the sound. We used both the KSM9 and SM58 capsules on this show, and you just can’t argue with the quality of those mics.”

That quality definitely came into play in the Kennedy Center Honors final performance segment, honoring Bruce Springsteen. A diverse group of high-profile artists, including Sting and John Mellencamp, paid homage to The Boss, and every wireless vocal was performed with a Shure UR2/KSM9 transmitter.

“The Springsteen tribute performance was awesome,” says Baltzell. “For me, it all starts with the vocal mics, especially with wireless, so that’s where I start the mix. I want the lead singer to sound as natural and warm as they possibly can, and it really showed in that segment. That’s why I’ve always been partial to the sound of the Shure capsules.”

For a program with the high profile and diversity of artistic performances at the Kennedy Center Honors, there was little room for error. “This is the first year the program was shot in hi-def, in 5.1 surround,” notes Ed Greene. “We captured some great performances, and the Shure wireless systems were flawless, a great credit to the microphones and the crew operating them.”

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