To be released on the SFS Media label in June 2014, the use of wireless microphones in the recording of this project is believed to be the first time this work has been captured in this fashion. Digital Hybrid Wireless technology from Rio Ranch, NM-based Lectrosonics was utilised.
San Francisco-based Jack Vad, whose pedigree includes over 200 commercial classical releases for prominent labels including BMG Classics, Nonesuch Records, and New Albion Records in addition to projects for SFS Media, serves as the producer / engineer of the San Francisco Symphony.
For the West Side Story project, Vad worked with audio engineer Denise Woodward, whose resume includes being head audio engineer at San Francisco's Shorenstein-Hays Nederlander's Curran Theatre and who also provided engineering support for the San Francisco Symphony's 2012 Grammy Award winning production of John Adams' Harmonielehre - Short Ride in a Fast Machine.
Together, Vad and Woodward utilized a considerable amount of Lectrosonics products for the West Side Story project, including 18 SMV, 2 SMQV, and 16 UM400a transmitters along with six Venue receiver mainframes stocked with Lectrosonics' VRT receiver modules. They discussed the challenges of the project.
West Side Story was recorded at Louise M. Davies Symphony Hall, home of the San Francisco Symphony, in late May and early June of 2013. When queried about the challenges of the project, Vad offered the following, "Since we had to capture everything from the live, semi-staged performance, the main challenge was trying to get a studio-type sound from the moving, acting vocalists. Although there are many fine wireless systems that are adequate for live sound use, most are not acceptable for high resolution audio reproduction.
"The Lectrosonics equipment provided us an audio chain that was both high quality and suitable for our SACD release."
Because of the venue's location in downtown San Francisco, there was concern about RF interference-though it proved not to be an issue, as Woodward explained. "Our recording/live performance was scheduled during San Francisco's Gay Pride celebration," said Woodward, "a huge event with, according to some estimates, over a million attendees and extensive media coverage. The main stage for this event was at San Francisco's City Hall - right across the street from Davies Symphony Hall.
"We constantly monitored the challenging and ever-changing RF environment, and were pleased with the RF agility of the Lectrosonics equipment. We experienced solid, drop-out free performance."
Vad continued, "We used DPA 4088 cardioid electret condenser mics with the Lectrosonics equipment and, together, they made a great choice for capturing the vocal performers. With Lectrosonics' Digital Hybrid Wireless design, we were able to achieve a greater, cleaner vocal dynamic range than traditional wireless options. The audio quality of the Lectrosonics system competes well with traditional studio-type microphones that are typically used for this type of recording."
(Jim Evans)
