"Combining the Neumann capsule with the Sennheiser wireless system has thrust the legendary Neumann sound to the top of the wireless domain," says George Michael's long serving personal monitor mixer and audio consultant, Andy 'Baggy' Robinson. "It's opened up new dimensions in sound for sophisticated live-performance engineering. For me, the Neumann KK 104 has a warm, smooth and clean response that requires virtually no EQ. Despite a loud backline, I can always place George's vocal exactly where I want it in the mix."
With Robinson on paternity leave for or the North American leg, Steve May took his place overseeing Michael's monitor mix. Simon Hall mixed monitors for the band, which included drums, percussion, a bass player, sax/keyboard player and three guitarists on the top tier of the elaborate stage set. The two keyboard players and six backing vocalists, also on Sennheiser SKM 5200 wireless handhelds with Neumann KK 104 S capsules, joined the star of the show on the stage's bottom tier.
"George is very happy with the vocal mic, and we're all very happy with it as well," confirmed front of house engineer Gary Bradshaw. "At Madison Square Garden, for example, we had a thrust into the audience, so he was way out in front of the PA all night, and it was fine. It was loud and it didn't feed back. It was amazing."
(Jim Evans)
