The sound system was provided by ATK AudioTek with FOH engineers Ron Reaves and Mikael Stewart, while the broadcast audio was supervised by Phil Ramone and Hank Neuberger, leading members of the Producers & Engineers Wing of The Recording Academy. New York-based XM Productions/Effanel Music were onsite with their L7 remote truck to create the music mix, facilitated by Music Mixers John Harris and Eric Schilling, along with Orchestra Music Mixer and XM Productions/Effanel Music Lead Engineer Joel Singer.
For the home audience, CBS once again delivered the most advanced form of HDTV, with 1,080 lines of picture resolution and 5.1-channel surround sound. Gary Boss, Audio-Technica US marketing director, Live Sound & Studio, watched over the event as the comprehensive range of Audio-Technica microphones turned out an evening of flawless performances.
Audio-Technica's Artist Elite 5000 Series UHF Wireless System was used, with a customAEW-T4100 handheld microphone/transmitter, for vocals by Justin Timberlake, recipient of two of the evening's GRAMMY Awards. For the My GRAMMY Moment duet with Timberlake, contest winner Robyn Troup performed using 5000 Series wireless with an AEW-T5400 transmitter. The AEW-T5400 was also employed by John Legend, who received the Best Male R&B Vocal Performance GRAMMY.
In addition, 5000 Series wireless, coupled with the AEW-T5400, was featured on vocals for Ludacris - GRAMMY winner in the categories of both Rap Album and Rap Song - as well as for Smokey Robinson's segment. 5000 Series wireless systems were further combined with the AEW-T1000 UniPak and the new Artist Series ATM350 for violin, viola and cello applications.
A hard-wired AE6100 was used for Corinne Bailey Rae's vocals. The dual-element AE2500 was the leading choice for kick drums, while the AE5100 graced ride cymbals, percussion and woodwinds. The AE5400 captured background vocals and Leslie cabinet, with the AT4033 also utilised for Leslie. The AT4047 was selected for upright bass and French horn; and AT4050 for overheads, guitar amps, percussion, trumpet and trombone.
Music Mixer John Harris commented: "We're excited to see the ATM350 and other new Audio-Technica microphones at the GRAMMYs this year. With Audio-Technica as a key partner, we can cover virtually any onstage need because they offer such a broad array of mics. And of course the reliability, consistency and fidelity of their products is second to none."
(Chris Henry)
