"On the two previous Take That Tours we've used the SKM 5200 with Neumann KK 104 cardioid heads," explains front of house engineer Gary Bradshaw. "We've had great results with that set up. But this tour posed some different problems, as we wouldn't have a roof everywhere we played, so weatherproofing everything was a major consideration. With this in mind we decided to try the 5235 heads. The results have been excellent. We've had great vocal clarity and feedback rejection and the mics are able to withstand the rigours of a British summer. Which is a polite way of saying plenty of rain.
"The ew 300 G2 IEMs are indispensable for a tour like this. Not only do the four members of Take That and the band wear the in ears. The whole cast of circus performers and dancers have them as well. This means wherever they are performing or off stage, they can hear the show. On this tour the boys spend the first half of the set singing out on the B stage and then return to the main stage."
Bradshaw and RF Technician Simon Hodge praised the support offered by Sennheiser UK, in the shape of Andy Lillywhite, the company's chief engineer, and Mark Saunders, who looked after the tour as artist relations manager.
"Back up and support from Sennheiser is always first class on this tour and every other tour," says Bradshaw. "Any problems that appeared to have something to do with radio transmission or reception, on either stage at whatever distance, have been overcome. The problems we encountered with weatherproofing the mics and in ear packs have been solved. It is very reassuring as an engineer to know if and when problems do pop up, there is the back up and support to quickly find a way round whatever the problem may be."
(Jim Evans) http://www.sennheiser.co.uk
