Audio-Technica Shines Once Again at the 40th Annual CMA Awards
(Audio-Technica | Posted 2006-11-10)
For the 13th consecutive year, Audio-Technica has supported the Country Music Association (CMA) Awards by providing an extensive selection of vocal and instrument microphones for its annual awards show. The 40th Annual CMA Awards aired live for the first time in 5.1-channel surround sound Monday, November 6th on the ABC Television Network from Nashville's Gaylord Entertainment Center and featured over 200 hard-wired and wireless Audio-Technica microphones. From backline vocal and instrument mics to frontline wireless systems for leading country artists such as Kenny Chesney, Jason Aldean, and Miranda Lambert, Audio-Technica was chosen to provide its clear and consistent quality for this star-studded live broadcast.
Hosted for the third year by the multi-platinum duo Brooks & Dunn, the CMA Awards presentation is recognized as Country Music's Biggest NightTM, and represents the pinnacle of achievement for those involved in country music. Once again, Audio-Technica microphones were featured for their accurate and reliable sound reproduction -- characteristics that have dictated A-T's long-standing presence with country music artists.
The team responsible for the audio at this year's CMA's included a who's who of broadcast audio: the audio was supervised by GRAMMY®/Emmy® Award-winning Music Producer Elliot Scheiner; the Audio Coordinator was Michael Abbott; ATK/Audiotek provided the sound system with FOH (front-of-house) engineers Patrick Baltzell and Rick Shimer; New York-based Wireless First, a leading source of wireless sound equipment for major television and production companies nationwide under the direction of Kevin Sanford, supplied all the wireless microphones; GRAMMY/Emmy Award-winning engineer David Hewitt's Remote Recording provided the 5.1 production mix, while MTVN's R8 mobile recording truck supplied the 5.1 music mix.
Audio-Technica endorser Kenny Chesney repeated his 2004 win as CMA's Entertainer of the Year. Chesney performed using Audio-Technica's Artist Elite® 5000 Series UHF Wireless System, with the AEW-T3300 microphone/transmitter and AEW-R5200 true diversity frequency-agile dual receiver. 5000 Series wireless systems were also used by Miranda Lambert and Audio-Technica endorser Jason Aldean.
Elliot Scheiner, known for his work with leading artists such as Steely Dan, Van Morrison, Fleetwood Mac, Sting, Foo Fighters, The Eagles, Nine Inch Nails, Aerosmith and many others, was the Music Producer at this year's CMA's and was pleased to have Audio-Technica back as the major microphone supplier. "I've been working on the CMA Awards show for the past five years and we've been using Audio-Technica for as long as I can remember," stated Scheiner. "The reason we use A-T is because of durability, reliability and of course, the high quality audio they deliver -- especially the wireless systems. In all my years at the CMAs, we have never had a problem with an A-T mic. Most of the guys that are working the show this year -- Mark Repp, Doc Damon, Stan Dacus, Chad Hailey, Greg Lankford, and Brando Marius -- have all worked the past five years with me, and everyone agrees, this year's show sounds better than any one we've ever done. And it's not only because we are now doing it in surround sound, but the overall audio quality seems to be better -- and what are you going to attribute that to? Microphones are the first link in the signal chain-- that's a good place to start!"
In addition, a wide array of Audio-Technica hard-wired mics was also employed for the broadcast, including: the new Artist Series ATM250DE on kick; Artist Series ATM350 on strings, rack and floor toms; Artist Series ATM650 for snare; AT4033 on bass guitar; AT4040 and AT4050 guitar cabinets and overheads; AT4041 for hi-hat; AT4051 on ride cymbals; and AE5400 on vocals.
Michael Abbott, Audio Coordinator for this year's CMAs, commented, "Once again, A-T continues to be a key partner at the CMA Awards. When you are doing a live broadcast, there is just one chance to get things right. And working with A-T, that gives me one less thing to worry about when putting a show of this scale together."
Photo Caption: Kenny Chesney performs using Audio-Technica's Artist Elite 5000 Series Wireless System with the AEW-T3300 handheld microphone/transmitter, at the 40th Annual CMA Awards in Nashville, TN, on November 6, 2006. Photo by Mark Humphrey/AP Images. (This photo is the property of Mark Humphrey/AP Images and may be used by the press only for the purpose of one-time reproduction. Unauthorized use, alteration or reproduction of this photograph is strictly prohibited.)
Celebrating over 40 years of audio excellence worldwide, Audio-Technica is a leading innovator in transducer technology, renowned for the design and manufacture of microphones, wireless microphones, headphones, mixers, and electronics for the audio industry.
--For more information on the complete range of Audio-Technica products, contact Karen Emerson, Audio-Technica U.S., Inc., 1221 Commerce Drive, Stow, OH 44224.
Tel: (330) 686-2600; Fax: (330) 688-3752; Web: www.audio-technica.com --For further information regarding product availability and pricing in Europe, please contact Denise Burnage, marketing, Audio-Technica Ltd., Old Lane, Leeds LS11 8AG England. Tel: +44 (0) 113 277 1441, Fax: +44 (0) 113 270 4836
