tube uk has invested in new Sennheiser D6000 wireless microphone systems, which debuted on the world premiere of Israeli artist Yael Bartana’s live performance experiment ‘What if Women Ruled the World?’ at the 2017 Manchester International Festival (MIF).
As this incisive and insightful work was also multi-track recorded each night, potentially for a future film project, tube’s Melvyn Coote decided the time was right to purchase the new technology from Sennheiser.
As the set-up evolved in discussions with Tel Aviv-based sound designer Daniel Meir, Coote ordered the 12 beltpack transmitters and 6 x D6000 dual receivers complete with all their infrastructure which he describes as “revolutionary” in terms of technology. They were used in conjunction with DPA4061 mic heads which were attached to the 10 performers.
The superlative RF performance of the D6000 is made possible by utilizing hardware selective RF filters at the RF input stage of the receiver. It provides true equidistant frequency spacing – eliminating the need for complex frequency intermodulation calculations – by utilizing hardware isolators at the RF output stage of the transmitters. Using linear amplifiers, this reduces the intermodulation to being virtually non-existent.
“Intermods and intermod spacing have long been issues in all types of live audio scenarios” explains Melvyn, “so this really is a ground-breaking development for Sennheiser to make this available in their 6000 range. Transmitters can be placed exactly where they are needed, and we can now fit 21 transmitters into the same TV channel frequency space, that would previously only support 10 or 12.”
Converting the signal immediately to digital in the transmitter also enhances the overall quality and texture of the sound – particularly noticeable in spoken work scenarios. It removes the need to apply any compression technology, broadcasting full bandwidth audio from the mic into the receiver and throughout the rest of the system.
The D6000 also runs on rechargeable batteries. Melvyn reckons that tube consumes approximately 15,000 standard batteries a year running wireless systems, so this will be more environmentally conscious as well as cost-efficient.
The duration of each battery charge has also been maximized in design – around 5 hours is standard with this system – and an accurate indicator shows RF tech Liam McShane exactly the status of each beltpack.
‘What if Women Ruled The World’ was the first time that tube has worked in the Mayfield depot, which has been a regular venue for the constantly growing biennial MIF event since at least 2013, and remains otherwise unused.
Meir mixed the soundscape and effects, while tube’s Martin Wallace took care of all the mic mixing and integrating the two sonic elements – vocals and surround sound effects – using a Yamaha CL5 mixing console. This was running over Dante and fully integrated with the Sennheiser D6000 system.
The challenge in the system design was delivering a clean and clear sound to the audience seated in a big, damp, dark and highly reverberant room … built in the early 1900s as a storage facility beneath the station.
The loudspeakers and amplifiers were all d&b, running AES digital links straight to the amps to keep the signal digital. Twelve d&b Y8 elements in a left-center-right configuration were flown in front of the seating tribune, with a rear surround ring of E8s, plus E6 front fills, all run off d&b D80 amps.
Under the stage one B2 and two Y-SUBs provided low frequency atmospherics. Along the long, shadowy entrance area were four E8s either side on scaff poles and four Y-SUBS a side on the floor, creating a sinister surround experience as the audience entered the space.
Everyone involved in the production has been impressed with the sound.
Meir, whose dynamic career includes designing sound for documentary and feature films and interactive media installations as well as many creative art projects, has really enjoyed working with the tube team on the show. “They are a great team of people – very knowledgeable and the system has been excellent to work with … it’s delivered everything we needed.”
Coote says, “It’s been an incredible experience working on this thought-provoking show and helping to realize Daniel’s sonic creativity and Yael Bartana’s amazing vision. I am extremely pleased with the Sennheiser system. The success and acclaim garnered by the production has definitely underlined that it was the right decision.”
