The Dolby Theatre was filled with anticipation as audio engineers and broadcast professionals utilised Shure’s state-of-the-art technology to deliver pristine audio quality at the 97th Academy Awards. With a dedicated team of experts and a robust lineup of Shure gear, including TwinPlex lavalier microphones and Axient Digital wireless systems, the event’s audio production once again set the gold standard for live television broadcasting.
The crew list boasted A1 Broadcast, Paul Sandweiss; Music Mixer, Biff Dawes; Orchestra Mixer, Tommy Vicari; Monitors, Michael Parker; Orchestra Monitors, Tom Pesa; FOH, Patrick Batzell and RF Frequency Coordinator, Steve Vaughn.
Jeremy Peters, Doja Cat, Monitor Engineer, said: “We started using the Nexadyne microphone to capture the full spectrum of Doja Cat’s vocal abilities, from her softer rapping to her powerful, belted notes. It’s great that the mic can handle such a wide range of dynamics, which is essential for a versatile performer like her.”
Paul Sandweiss, Audio Engineer and Broadcast Mixer for the Oscars, added: “Live dialogue is a huge component on the annual Oscars show. Much of the dialogue comes from Movie soundtrack playbacks, and when we cut back and forth to our live talent on stage, we needed to have as present and clean dialogue as possible for our in-house audience and viewers worldwide. We used Shure’s TwinPlex lavalier microphones on all the talent as needed for dialogue that seamlessly integrates into the broadcast. For the in-house audience we used Q5X PlayerMic Radio transmitters and Axient Digital receivers. Not only do the Shure Lavaliers perform great for us, having the wireless reliability of the whole Shure system ensures us of flawless performance throughout the almost four-hour live event. Also having onsite support from the amazing Shure engineering team is excellent for our engineering staff and well appreciated. Here’s to another year of live broadcast shows, where sound quality and reliability go hand in hand to make our lives that much easier.”
Steve Vaughn, RF Frequency Coordinator for Oscars, noted: “For an event as significant and challenging as the Oscars, everything has to work seamlessly. Shure’s wireless systems, especially the Q5X Axient Digital-enabled PlayerMic, proved to be the perfect choice. The PlayerMic is not only flexible and nearly indestructible but also discreet and comfortable for performers, making it easy to integrate seamlessly into multiple performances. Combined with Axient Digital’s dependable and secure audio transmission, it ensured exceptional sound quality throughout the night.”
Mics and RF antenna infrastructure was provided by Soundtronics, who supplied 10 channels of PSM 1000 Advanced In-Ear Personal Monitoring System with all musical performances used PSM 1000; six ADX3 Axient Digital Plug-On Transmitter with ShowLink packages for the podiums; 18 Q5X Axient Digital Enabled PlayerMics with TwinPlex TL47 Lavaliers (in various colours depending on outfit); AD4Q Axient Digital Four-Channel Digital Wireless Receivers and a AD4D Axient Digital Two-Channel Digital Wireless Receiver.
Artists using Shure at the 97th Academy Awards included Cynthia Erivo who used an ADX2 / KSM9 Handled Wireless Microphone Transmitter; Doja Cat who used a custom chrome ADX2FD/N8S Handheld Wireless Microphone Transmitter; N8S; BlackPink’s Lisa who used a ADX2 Handled Wireless Microphone Transmitter and Queen Latifah who used a ADX2 Handled Wireless Microphone Transmitter.
