X-Factor Denmark has chosen Wisycom RF solutions including the MTH400 wireless handheld transmitters, MTP40 belt-pack transmitters and MRK960 receivers, to ensure its performers and backstage cues are delivered. This is the third year Wisycom has been chosen for the TV series.
With 70 RF channels in use on the X-Factor set for both in-ear and wireless microphones, Anders Bech Lassen, audio engineers for the programme, is tasked with ensuring the six elimination episodes have perfect audio quality, in preparation for the finale which is shot on location in Herning.
Wisycom’s Push-to-Talk technology allows the presenter or performer to press a button, causing the remote switching of the receiver’s output-line from the main line to the additional intercom line, to be able to talk off-air directly with the producer team if issues/questions do arise.
“Before we had Wisycom, our microphones were open all the time in the ears of the producers, which can cause listening fatigue and be distracting,” said Bech Lassen. “But now with the PTT, it’s just on when the talent wants it to be on. You can have this capability on any microphone using any Wisycom handheld product and don’t have to set up any additional frequencies.”
The show uses the Wisycom handheld transmitters along with Schoeps mics for hosts, and DPA’s d:facto vocal microphones for the performers. The belt-packs are used for all in-ear systems. “With the antenna gain I can optimise my signal and reduce the gain to check there is no disturbance to the signal,” Bech Lassen continued.
Bech Lassen and his crew also needed a wireless system that allowed the show to film both inside and outside of the studio for the six elimination episodes and the finale. It was a difficult task to fulfill when filming the finale, which takes place outside the studio on location in an arena. According to the engineer, Wisycom products have helped bring the X-Factor Denmark finale episode switch from studio filming to on-site filming in Herning’s arena with up to 20,000 spectators. Even with the larger channel count and distances that talent and hosts were traveling around the venue, Anders was able to maintain a clear RF signal.
