Mar 18, 2005 8:00 AM, By Mix Editors

Donald Trump (left) shakes hands with his newest apprentice, Kelly Perdew

Audio engineer and sound designer Dan Gerhard recently designed the sound system for NBC’s The Apprentice during the live finale of the show’s second season at Lincoln Center’s Alice Tully Hall in New York City. The show featured an 11-piece band and performances by the O’Jays. The system included Aviom Pro16 Monitor Mixing Systems provided by Masque Sound in East Rutherford, N.J.

“I specified the Aviom system because it fulfills a need that has existed for a long, long time in this business,” says Gerhard. “By eliminating the wedge monitors and having the drummer use Roland V-Drums, it allowed guest host Regis Philbin to be heard without being overpowered by the band playing in the foreground, in addition to not wiping out the audience reaction mics.”

Overall stage volume was kept to a minimum by using electronic drums and eliminating on-stage guitar and bass amplifiers. The musicians used IEMs connected to the Aviom Personal Mixers to allow them to hear a studio-quality stereo mix while performing.

“The use of the Aviom system combined with IEMs minimized multiple sound sources in the relatively live hall,” comments Gerhard. “If there is a musician trying to communicate with the monitor engineer by hand signals, it puts a pretty big psychological strain on their performance. With the Pro16 Mixer right in front of them, they are able to control what they hear. This is a very different mentality and helps keep the musicians focused.”

For more information on Aviom products, visit www.aviom.com.

To find out what’s happening on The Apprentice, visit www.nbc.com/nbc/The_Apprentice/.

Mix Books

Modern Recording and Mixing

This 2-DVD set will show you how the best in the music industry set up a studio to make world-class records. Regardless of what gear you are using, the information you'll find here will allow you to take advantage of decades of expert knowledge. Order now $39.95

Mastering Cubase 4

Electronic Musician magazine and Thomson Course Technology PTR have joined forces again to create the second volume in their Personal Studio Series, Mastering Steinberg's Cubase(tm). Edited and produced by the staff of Electronic Musician, this special issue is not only a must-read for users of Cubase(tm) software, but it also delivers essential information for anyone recording/producing music in a personal-studio. Order now $12.95

Newsletters

MixLine

Delivered straight to your inbox every other week, MixLine takes you straight into the studio, with new product announcements, industry news, upcoming events, recent recording/post projects and much more. Click here to read the latest edition; sign up here.

MixLine Live

Delivered straight to your inbox every other week, MixLine Live takes you on the road with today's hottest tours, new sound reinforcement professional products, recent installs, industry news and much more. Click here to read the latest edition; sign up here.