Audio production services provider ATK Audiotek, which specializes in live television event programming, provided the live sound system and monitoring for the show and requested Sennheiser's complete live audio microphone package. "Sennheiser was well represented with the artists," commented Jeff Petersen, sound engineer at ATK Audiotek. "When you are doing a live nationwide broadcast, reliability is crucial. Sennheiser always delivers on both reliability and quality."
Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood used Sennheiser SKM 5200 handheld transmitters coupled with MD 5235 capsules as host microphones for the duration of the evening. Blake Shelton, who received a nomination for Male Vocalist of the Year, sang through a Sennheiser SKM 5200-II with an MD 5235 capsule, while Reba McEntire performed with an SKM 5200-II/Neumann KK 105 capsule combination. The Zac Brown Band, who was nominated for Vocal Group of the Year, performed with three SKM 5200-II/MD 5235 combos.
ATK Audiotek meanwhile, had Sennheiser evolution series microphones all over the drums: "We have been using the evolution 600 and 900 series with great success for a few years now," says Petersen, who used a combination of e 602s, e 604s, e 614s, e 901s, e 902s, e 904s, e 906s, and e 914s across the drums. Additionally, a pair of Sennheiser MK 4 large-diaphragm condenser microphones were used on guitar cabinets.
(Jim Evans)
