NBC Olympics, the division responsible for the U.S. broadcast of the Winter Olympics this year, working in conjunction with International Sports Broadcasting (ISB), the host audio/video provider, has made a solid commitment to provide the most complete and intensive coverage of the Winter Olympics ever. As part of that effort, NBC has selected Audio-Technica microphones as a critical component of their extensive audio equipment array.
“We’re going to be using a wide selection of Audio-Technica microphones to capture the sound and drama of the events,” stated Bob Dixon, project manager/sound design for NBC Olympics. “The crisp and accurate imaging [the microphones] offer will help us make the experience that much more exciting for viewers.” Stereo sound will play a key role in creating enhanced realism in NBC’s broadcasts. Dixon notes that all of NBC’s handheld field cameras will have AT-815ST Stereo Shotgun Microphones mounted on them. “When we cut to one of those cameras and open up the microphones, viewers will hear a stereo image containing not only the left and right placements, but some of the depth of the action as well. We’ll also be using the AT-815ST and AT-835ST Stereo Shotgun Microphones to capture stereo crowd ambience,” he adds. “That really gives viewers a much better sense of what it’s like to be at the venues.
“A-T microphones, with their ability to accurately image and reproduce the sounds of the events, will play a substantial role in our overall sound design. We’re looking forward to an exciting and great-sounding Winter Olympics this year,” says Dixon.
