Ever since Sennheiser introduced the MK 5235 dynamic capsule for their "top-of-the-range" SKM 5200 handheld wireless microphone system, Faustino has used it wherever possible because of its transparency, reliability, and ease of mixing, say the company. At Faustino's request, all American Idol contestants use the Sennheiser MK 5235/SKM 5200 combo. When a wired vocal microphone fits the bill, Faustino prefers the Sennheiser evolution series e 935 dynamic to other wired brands for the same reasons.
"What I really like about the Sennheiser MD 5235 dynamic capsule in combination with the SKM 5200 transmitter is its immediate presence and warmth, even without any EQ," Faustino explains. "It ends up being a lot less work than comparable models from other manufacturers. When we have to use other mics, because of artists' contractual obligations, we always end up using more EQ than we normally do with the MD 5235. The same is true of the wired Sennheiser e 935 that I'm using on backup singers and as my own talkback," he continues. "Without doing anything, the e 935 has better high-end and tighter low-end."
When doing overdubs or group pre-records, Faustino uses a pair of Neumann TLM 49 large diaphragm studio condensers. Of course, vocals can only sound as good as the band that supports them. For this reason, Faustino prefers to capture musicians with Sennheiser's evolution series of instrument mics. In addition to a Sennheiser e 906 dynamic cardioids on guitar cabinets, Faustino uses a range of Sennheiser evolution series mics for the drums. A collection of e 604s captures the toms, an e 602 II captures the kick, and e 914s capture both the hi-hats and the overheads.
(Claire Beeson)
