A single world transmission feed, authorised by UEFA and its exclusive media partner TEAM Audio AG, was used to provide TV companies from all around the world with their SD and HD pitch coverage. On the night of the match, the world audio feed was mixed by Robert Edwards of UK broadcast sound specialists Video Sound Services, assisted by Frank Mosch, the technical head of sound at Belgian company Outside Broadcast NV, who supplied the outside broadcast vehicle and Lawo desk used to mix the feed.
Robert Edwards has a long history of working closely with mic manufacturer SoundField, having collaborated with them on the feature set of the DSF-2 mic and introduced it to Sky Sports, with whom he also works regularly. On the night of the final in Athens, Sky, who have made the DSF-2 part of their standard-issue equipment for HD sports broadcasts, had their own DSF-2 mic in the stadium, allowing them to add further stadium ambience into their transmission of the final. As Robert Edwards had also specified a DSF-2 for use in the broadcast of the world audio feed, there were two of the mics in the stadium on the night. The mic specified for use on the world feed was placed high up on a gantry hanging from the stadium roof.
Following its recommendation by Edwards, Sky have used the DSF-2 for 5.1 sound on HD broadcasts of events as diverse as golf's Ryder Cup, Cricket test matches, and UK Premiere League soccer matches, the last of which Edwards has been mixing himself. Having had good results from the DSF-2 at these matches, he wanted to use one in Athens. "Because the signals from the DSF-2 are completely phase-coincident, I was able to use its 5.1 and its stereo output simultaneously for the HD and SD sound. We also made full use of the fact that the DSF-2 microphone head can be situated several hundred metres from its control box, as the OB vehicle had to be placed some way from where the mic was suspended."
Ken Giles, managing director of SoundField, comments: "The DSF-2 has been expensive to develop, and Robert's input on the features required to make it the most effective tool for broadcasters to capture 5.1 for HD has been invaluable. It's very satisfying to see DSF-2s in so many stadiums and OB vehicles. As for the output of the mic being fed to 1.2 billion people simultaneously - that's quite a number! It's always an honour to have our products used at such high-profile events."
(Jim Evans)
