Recording artist Tori Kelly performs onstage during the 58th Grammy Awards.
Photo: Kevin Winter/WireImage.
Shure microphones and wireless systems played a vital role in the production of the 58th Annual Grammy Awards. The telecast was presented live by CBS-TV from the Staples Center in Los Angeles on February 15, 2016.
For a worldwide broadcast like the Grammy Awards, audio coordinator Mike Abbott brings in the top engineering talent and audio vendors to ensure success. These include remote trucks from Music Mix Mobile (M3), backline support from ATK Audiotek, and wireless system design and frequency coordination by Dave Bellamy of Soundtronics. The broadcast production mix, combining the music mix with all the other sonic elements, is handled by Tom Holmes, with Eric Schilling and John Harris as co-broadcast music mixers, working in two Music Mix Mobile remote trucks.
Inside the Staples Center, Ron Reaves handled front-of-house music mixing, sending his feed to FOH production mixer Mikael Stewart of ATK Audiotek. Side-stage, co-monitor mixers Mike Parker and Tom Pesa mixed for the artists on stage with the PSM 1000.
The host’s microphone was the new Shure KSM8 Dualdyne microphone on a UHF-R wireless transmitter, brought in for consideration at the suggestion of the show’s Audio Coordinator, Michael Abbott.
“I’ve been using the KSM8 on [NBC’s] The Voice for host Carson Daly, with excellent results,” Abbott notes. “The reduced proximity effect and flat response gave us a smooth sound, making it an ideal choice to use on LL Cool J to host the Grammys.”
On a night dominated by performance tributes to major artists, Shure wireless microphones, both the UHF-R and Axient systems, were a near-constant presence onstage. The Grammy production team prides itself on being artist-friendly, accommodating whatever microphone makes the artist most comfortable. They only step in with suggestions when no microphone is specified, or to address technical issues.
While musicians all use their personal earphones, all wireless in-ear systems are Shure PSM 1000s supplied by ATK Audiotek. “Five years and counting, PSM 1000 is still going strong with a zero failure rate,” says monitor engineer Mike Parker.
Duff McKagan (at left) and Alice Cooper of Hollywood Vampires perform onstage during the 58th Grammy Awards.
Photo: Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images.
The newly released KSM8 microphone made a strong Grammy debut. In addition to its use by five-time host LL Cool J, it was also the mic capsule of choice atop UHF-R transmitters for three live performances: Tori Kelly (duet with James Bay), Hollywood Vampires (for Johnny Depp and Duff McKagan), and three members of Little Big Town for their hit, “Girl Crush.”
“I was very pleased with Little Big Town’s vocal mic choice,” says Eric Schilling, co-music mixer for the broadcast. “The KSM8 has a very natural sound and requires very little EQ to make it work.”
With outstanding audio, remote transmitter control, and frequency diversity, Shure Axient wireless also played a strong role in the production. The AXT200 handheld was used for lead vocals by Justin Bieber (with KSM9HS capsule) and Alabama Shakes (with SM58 capsule). In addition, the production team designated an Axient handheld with an SM58 capsule as the production’s global spare wireless for the second straight year.
Now in its 50th year on the market, the SM58 was used atop several UHF-R handhelds in the Lionel Richie tribute, including those used by Demi Lovato, Luke Bryan, Meghan Trainor, Tyrese, and Richie himself. Hardwired SM58s were used for all backing vocals by the Eagles in their tribute to Glenn Frey; by both Gary Clark, Jr. and Best New Artist winner Chris Stapleton during the B.B. King tribute; and by Robin Thicke during the finale.
Visit Shure at www.shure.com/americas.
