A leading audio resource for high-profile broadcast events, A-T has been outfitting the debates since 1988, when the Commission on Presidential Debates assumed sponsorship and production responsibilities. With the company again acting as the premier mic supplier for all four debates this election year, a host of microphones from Audio-Technica's product line was employed to cover the diverse needs of each application. The town hall setting in St. Louis, Missouri on October 8 was the most challenging audio environment, requiring a variety of mics to facilitate the fast pace and complicated format of this debate. Audio-Technica's Artist Elite 5000 Series Wireless Systems with AEWT5400 large-diaphragm handheld transmitters were chosen to ensure clear, accurate reproduction of the candidates' every word. In addition, the moderator used the unobtrusive AT898 and AT899 Subminiature Lavaliers, integrated with the 5000 Series systems for maximum intelligibility. Numerous other A-T microphones were featured, including 30 handheld AE6100 Hypercardioid Dynamic Microphones feeding signal into 7 AT-MX351 SmartMixer automatic mixers for the audience question and answer segment.
At the first as well as the final presidential debates, a custom-engineered A-T podium mic provided split audio feeds via three separate elements encased in a single housing, enabling audio from each candidate's podium to be flexibly routed for optimum sound at the venue and broadcast outlets. The AT898 and AT899 lavaliers were also utilised by both candidates and the moderator during the vice presidential debate.
Michael Edwards, Audio-Technica Product Manager, said: "It is an honour to have our microphones recognised and chosen by notable audio professionals, but the ultimate satisfaction is always seeing them succeed in the most critical applications, where there is no second chance to get it right."
(Mike Lethby)
