With limited rehearsal time and over one hundred production inputs, the Pops needed gear that sounded good from the start and worked dependably. DPA Microphones fit the bill for miking the orchestra, and the audio crew made good use of several of the company's equipment options during the event.
DPA could be found across the stage throughout the evening's performance, with the d:vote 4099 instrument microphones in the strings section, 4023 compact cardioid microphones on the piano and in the woodwinds section, and 4066 omni headset microphones worn by the vocalists and narrators.
While there were many DPA microphones on stage, revelers and home viewers would have had to look closely to see them during the show. "One thing we like about the DPA line is that they have lots of low-profile miniature capsules and microphones that are ideal for television projects," says Steve Colby, Boston Pops sound designer and music mixer for the TV broadcast of the Spectacular. "DPA makes it easy to use a lot of microphones but not have the gear in the way of the camera shots, which makes the directors happy."
In addition to using DPA Microphones for the Fourth of July Concert each year, the Boston Pops Orchestra also relies on DPA's 4023 and d:vote 4099 microphones for most of its theatrical performances, whether it's a simple presentation or a full Broadway-style show.
(Jim Evans)
