Lectrosonics technology enhances Doctor Atomic
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In advance of production rehearsals, Santa Fe Opera’s audio/visual director, Karl G. Kern, increased the company’s inventory of Lectrosonics Digital Hybrid Wireless technology to 30 channels, adding 18 SSM super slight micro belt-pack transmitters and three six-channel Venue2 receivers to its existing stock of SMDa transmitters and Venue receivers.
“The quality of Lectrosonics’ products is by far superior,” says Kern of the purchase decision. “They’ve got a very low noise floor and very solid RF, so it helps you to get a very clear audio signal. Having that low noise floor when you’re trying to just ghost in a very low volume is very important.”
All the Lectrosonics transmitters are paired with DPA Microphones d:screet 4061 omnidirectional lavalier microphone elements to reinforce the stage performances through the company’s newly installed Meyer Sound CAL steerable column array loudspeakers for the 2,000-plus-capacity house.
Celebrated composer and sound designer Mark Grey did the sound design for this latest Doctor Atomic production. "The classical performing arts demand only the best in live sound – critical in sonic transparency, reliability, and highly concealable products,” says Grey. “Lectrosonics always delivers and have been my 'go to' for decades."
For this production, Grey employed an innovative microphone technique for the chorus, Kern reveals. “Mark has incorporated those eight microphones into the costumes, in the shoulder and epaulette areas. He uses the chorus mics more as area mics, and worked with the director, Peter Sellars, to create the stage images. One chorus member stands slightly in front of three other chorus members and Mark’s technique picks up all those voices through one mic.”
Doctor Atomic’s eight principals are all double-miked with dual SSM beltpack transmitters, Kern reports. “They’ve got a primary and a back-up on at all times. We’ve got one female principal who is in a wig, so her mics are under the wig cap. We have one female with natural hair, so hers are clipped into her hairline. All the men are wearing the mics over their ears, on their temples.”
Santa Fe Opera’s involvement with Lectrosonics extends beyond the equipment. “Lectrosonics has been a great partner,” says Kern. “A big portion of our summer programme here is that we offer technical and talent apprenticeships. I have four apprentices here, college students, who are getting paid, as well as college credit and industry knowledge, for the summer.
“We’ve worked with Karl Winkler, vice president of sales for Lectrosonics, for several years now. We also take the kids down to Rio Rancho and take a tour of their HQ and see where everything is manufactured.”
(Jim Evans)
