As the Torch Relays made their way around the UK this summer, DPA microphones were at the heart of the festivities, providing loud and clear audio at a total of 70 evening celebrations and the daily lighting of the cauldron ceremonies. Among the items on the extensive sound, lighting and power equipment list for the Torch Relays were DPA d:fine Headset Microphones, supplied by DPA’s UK distributor Sound Network. These were used at every one of the 70 locations to mic a wide range of dancers, actors, presenters and TV presenters. “We chose DPA d:fine Headset Microphones for their discreet profile and sensitive capsules,” said sound engineer Doug Maddison, who was responsible for the on-stage sound at the evening gigs. “We specified the cardioid version to try and reduce spill and feedback from the monitors and the PA. This was important as the presenters were often standing in front of the PA to address the audience.” “When I heard I was doing 70 gigs in a row on monitors with multiple headset microphones, I did wonder if I was going to go mad, but thanks to DPA I was very pleasantly surprised,” Maddison added. “The d:fine’s performed really well and required very little EQ-ing. Normally, if I am using headset microphones, I would anticipate having to do some very careful EQ-ing to achieve either a quiet but full sound or a loud but very modified sound with lots of missing frequencies. However, on the first day of using the d:fines, I found that it was possible to use the same output wedge EQ that I used for a band with dynamic microphones, without having to do much EQ-ing on the d:fine input. The result was impressively loud and clear.”www.dpamicrophones.com
