Richard Rogers, Blitz's sound designer, commented: "Owing to the very tight schedule, we pre-programmed the show in advance on our latest Yamaha PM5D digital mixing desks. We used 28 Sennheiser radio mics on the circular stage with a radio earpiece for the host, Michael Buerk. Our system also took into account that the event was being recorded to CD for subsequent web casting. We also delivered zoned onstage foldback to five separate zones via Mission NXT FS2 loudspeakers - sneakily hidden in coffee tables!"
In addition, Blitz provided video equipment including four Sony D35 cameras, five 61" plasma screens hung on the circle and six 50" plasma screens mounted on the stage. Due to a show being held at Royal Albert Hall the night before, Blitz had access to the venue a mere seven hours prior to the audience's arrival. With a deadline of 9.00am, the team from Blitz started work at 1a.m.
Producer Sheelagh Barnard, commented: "Blitz delivered everything we had asked for in an event where the clear audibility of the spoken word was paramount. The audio technology worked brilliantly in a difficult acoustic environment and the video quality was also excellent. The commitment and calibre of all the staff was first class."
(Sarah Rushton-Read)