Working closely with the event's sound designer Derrick Zieba and audio company Britannia Row, Mark Saunders and Andy Lillywhite of Sennheiser UK were there to provide hands-on support for the many performers using Sennheiser equipment.
The company supplied G2 series in-ear monitors for every performer, as well as SKM 5200 handheld mics with Neumann KK 105 capsules for all the presenters.
With Berlin being Neumann's home city, it was appropriate for the company's capsules to feature.
"The amount of effort that Mark Saunders and Andy Lillywhite put in is phenomenal," says Zieba. "At the very last moment the television producers wanted host Katy Perry to have a special blinged mic and they were able to pull it out of the hat, giving the director exactly the look they wanted.
"Andy also spent much time rebodying microphones on to frequencies that can be used in Germany. What they provided is far beyond assistance. They're an integral part of the show."
Many of the performers at the event were also using their own Sennheiser microphones as well as in-ears. These included Shakira (SKM 5200 with KK 105 capsule), Leona Lewis (SKM 5200 with MD 5235 capsule), Foo Fighters (MD 431), Best Group winners Tokio Hotel and Beyoncé, who walked away with no less than three awards - for Best Female Artist, Best Song and Best Video.
Dave Wooster, FOH engineer for Leona Lewis, comments: "As an incoming engineer who works with Sennheiser on a regular basis, it's always good to turn up to major shows like the MTV Awards and find that they are on site supporting and assisting with the RF equipment. It takes a real weight off our shoulders."
(Jim Evans)
