Host Chelsea Handler used a Sennheiser wireless microphone, as did all presenters. Wireless specialists Soundtronics supplied one dozen channels of true-diversity receivers, including EM 3532s, along with SKM 5000 and SKM 5200 wireless handheld transmitters.
Sennheiser was also featured in many of the night's performances. Eminem, one of the big award winners, kicked off with Not Afraid, featuring the Detroit rapper and his hype man, Denaun, both using chrome SKM 5200 handhelds with MD 5235 capsules. Their performance segued into Love The Way You Lie with guest Rihanna singing into her SKM 2000 wireless vocal mic with MMK 965-1 capsule, paired with an EM 2050 receiver.
Florence + the Machine featured the UK singer delivering the band's multi-VMA-nominated Dog Days Are Over into an SKM 5200 with a Neumann KK 105 capsule. Ian Laughton, FOH engineer for Florence + the Machine says, "The clarity and bottom end was phenomenal. You could not get this from any other mic. Florence immediately fell in love with every aspect of this microphone, and we got our friends at Sennheiser UK to 'bling' it up for us with gold plating."
ATK AudioTek, production provider for the event, supplied 12 channels of Sennheiser G2 wireless monitors along with A 5000-CP antennas. Sennheiser supported ATK with additional channels of 2000 series wireless monitors for use on the show. Klaus Landsberg, working with Gary Long, utilised Neumann KM 184s and Sennheiser MKH 416 shotguns to capture the enthusiastic audience at the Nokia Theatre. Veteran broadcast engineer Jay Vicari was responsible for the overall audio mix.
(Jim Evans)
