"The SKM 5200/MD 5235 combination really suits this show, as Kylie spends a lot of time out in front of the PA system on the B stage," says Kevin Pruce, Kylie's front-of-house engineer. "Other combinations gave me less headroom, while the size and weight of the microphone are also very important."
Pruce adds: "We have a great relationship with Sennheiser, in particular Mark Saunders. He is always available for advice and the backup is superb."
This is confirmed by production manager Kevin Hopgood, who says: "Sennheiser - what can I say? We have a working relationship with Mark and the team going back over 12 years and the support on the 2014 has been, as ever, exemplary. Kylie hasn't picked up another brand of microphone by choice since the first time we tried them - the weight, feel and audio quality are all perfect for her.
"Sennheiser has always delivered assistance with customisation to tie in with the show aesthetics, this year with microphone bodies in scarlet, hot pink and chrome. Kylie is all about quality and attention to detail, so Sennheiser equipment is the ideal complement."
Rod Matheson, Kylie's monitor engineer, concurs, adding: "Sennheiser is extremely serious about giving the best support possible and DiGiCo are completely insane! I wouldn't have it any other way - the quality and service are at a point whereby I would find it difficult to use any other gear. The only important addition to the hardware I can think of would be a high quality side chain espresso machine . . ."
(Jim Evans)
