11,000 WWII veterans joined a line-up of celebrities, including Dame Vera Lynn, Jane Horrocks, Bruce Forsythe and Simon Callow, with the tri-service orchestra and the Bach Choir, for the Festival of Commemoration in the presence of Her Majesty the Queen. Televised live, the gala performance was designed by leading sound designer John Del Nero, whose credits include The Edinburgh Military Tattoo and Queens Golden Jubilee Celebrations at Buckingham Palace.
The Show was very complex and needed over 220 channels of microphone and instrument feeds, along with numerous sound effect and video feeds to and from the BBC. Audio-Technica AT4050 large diaphragm, multi-pattern condensers were deployed, for their clarity and wide dynamic range down to extended low frequencies, on double basses, and in stereo pairs on horns, euphoniums and tubas, as well as on spots on percussion. AT4041 cardioid, small diaphragm studio condensers were used flutes and various woodwind. ES915 gooseneck mounted, miniature condenser lectern mics were used for the Address by Her Majesty The Queen, and for the various speeches and announcements.
Commenting on the choice of Audio-Technica mics throughout the sound production, Wigwam Hire director, Chris Hill cited: "Studio sound quality, even in an outdoor environment, versatility and sheer build quality."
(Lee Baldock)
