A highlight of the show was the segment honouring soul legend Bill Withers, who made a rare appearance and an even rarer on-stage performance at the event. R&B singer John Legend and Hall of Fame member Stevie Wonder each performed in this segment using Audio-Technica's 5000 Series UHF Wireless System with AEW-T5400a handheld microphones/transmitters. Wonder performed Ain't No Sunshine, followed by Legend's performance of Use Me and both singing Lean on Me.
The backline mic complement of Audio-Technica wired microphones included AT4050 multi-pattern condenser microphones used for drum overheads and bass; AT4050ST stereo condenser microphone used for audience ambience; AE5400 cardioid condenser handheld microphone used for background vocals; AE5100 cardioid condenser instrument microphones for hi-hat and audience ambience; AT4047/SV cardioid condenser microphones for B3 organ cabinet and AT4081 ribbon microphones on guitar amps.
The technical staff for the induction ceremony was made up of pro audio industry veterans. Remote recording specialists M3 (Music Mix Mobile) were responsible for both recording the programme and mixing the show for broadcast. M3's Mitch Maketansky served as audio coordinator, John Harris as recording engineer, Joel Singer as truck engineer-in-charge and Brian Flanzbaum as Pro Tools operator.
Mitch Maketansky stated, "I and many of my associates have relied on Audio-Technica microphones and wireless systems over the years for a variety of live broadcasts on account of their consistency from mic-to-mic and their reliability as products. Across artists and genres, there is an Audio-Technica solution for any application you can think of, allowing us to capture the performance the way it's intended to be heard."
(Jim Evans)
