Burton was already using a pair of HS3000s for overheads but was looking for a new microphone for the snare. After a couple of meetings on the last tour a side-facing pencil microphone was designed, able to be placed close to the drum without presenting such a large target for the drummer and, when placed on a stand, less likely to move. The pick-up pattern and handling is ideal for loud sources such as drums, say the company, and so far it has seen action not only on Prodigy shows but was used in its first outing in Serbia for a show with Balkan superstar Ceca in front of 150,000 people.
On the first night at the Isle of White festival this year there were eight HS3000 mics used on stage between headliners The Prodigy and Placebo, as they are also favoured by their engineer Ian Nelson.
(Lee Baldock)