Larry Estrin, of Best Audio in Studio City, CA, served as director of communications for the Papal Visit for the Archdiocese of New York and coordinating technical director for media and broadcast. He selected several different Audio-Technica microphones for use at eight separate events over three days.
A key microphone at all of these events was the Audio-Technica AE6100 Hypercardioid Dynamic Handheld Microphone. Estrin selected it to capture audio as the pope spoke from the Pontifical Throne, as well as whenever a Vatican assistant or priest held the microphone for him. Said Estrin, "We chose the AE6100 specifically because I like the way it looks and sounds, and it's got all the right attributes. It's an excellent microphone for these purposes, because when used as a handheld, it has very, very little handling noise properties. Also, the pope can at times have a very soft speaking voice, and we relied on the AE6100 to provide clear and articulate sound to that end."
Two other key mics were the ES961 Cardioid Condenser Boundary Microphone and the ES933H Hypercardioid Condenser Hanging Microphone. The ES961s were employed at the Yorkville, St. Patrick's and St. Joseph's Seminary events as ambo/pulpit mics and altar backup mics. The ES933H mics were used at the prayer service at Ground Zero.
(Jim Evans)
