SM transmitters and Venue receiver selected for major Bluegrass artists
Rio Rancho, NM – February 2007… Recognized as the largest indoor Bluegrass event in the world, this year’s Wintergrass festival will be held from February 22 – 25, 2007 at the Sheraton Hotel & Conference Center in Tacoma, WA. The annual event consistently presents an exceptional mix of performing artists—both national and regional. This year’s festival will include performances by Mike Marshall, Chris Thile, and Hamilton de Holanda—acknowledged globally as being among the leading mandolin players of our time. Marshall, Thile, and de Holanda’s performance will be recorded by Forssell Technologies, Inc., using Lectrosonics SM Series transmitters and Venue receivers for backline wireless capability.
According to Fred Forssell, President of Forssell Technologies, “Maintaining tone quality is the overriding concern on this event. The instrumentalists are all leading players in their field and their instruments produce a tremendously rich sound quality. I was originally hesitant to go wireless, as my prior experience has been disappointing due to the frequently thin and compressed sound of wireless equipment, but after speaking with Bruce Meyer, President of DPA Microphones—who strongly encouraged me to go with Lectrosonics, I’m really quite excited about this project.”
That wired quality Forssell seeks is very much a reality and a direct result of Lectrosonics’ proprietary technology known as Digital Hybrid Wireless™. Digital Hybrid Wireless technology integrates 24-bit digital audio with an analog FM radio link for outstanding audio quality and extended operating range—without the use of compandors. The result is clear, natural sounding audio with wide dynamic range.
To capture the full-bodied sound of the instruments, Forssell will be deploying prototype sub-miniature cardioid microphones from DPA. These microphones will be mounted on the instruments and then interfaced with the Lectrosonics SM transmitters. At the mix position, a Lectrosonics Venue receiver stocked with four channels will deliver signal to the recording equipment.
“This arrangement will provide the performers the freedom of movement they require while simultaneously enabling me to capture the full sound of their instruments,” said Forssell. “These players are very visually dynamic, and with their considerable movement, the traditional method of using a wired microphone is simply not an option for this application.”
Forssell noted that while each of the artists’ instruments had internal pickups, this really wasn’t seriously considered for the recording. “We wanted a sound quality that is better than what’s possible with the internal pickups,” said Forssell. “While there was some discussion about mounting the sub-miniature mics and running a direct line, this was also deemed unacceptable. It’s one thing to unplug a quarter-inch connector, but the prospect of dealing with the more cumbersome XLR connector was not considered an option in the intensity of a live performance. The Lectrosonics wireless capability—with the small form factor of the SM series transmitter—makes the most sense for this type of situation. All the reports I’ve heard indicate Lectrosonics’ technology produces a wired quality. I’ve heard nothing but positive feedback, so I’m really looking forward to this opportunity.”
For additional information about Forssell Technologies, Incorporated, visit the company online at www.forsselltech.com.
About the Lectrosonics SM Series transmitters and Venue receiver
Utilizing Digital Hybrid Wireless technology that combines 24-bit digital audio with an analog FM radio link, the Lectrosonics SM series transmitters are easy to conceal, provide a full 100 mW output, offer 256 synthesized UHF frequencies, and a membrane switch control panel with LCD display. The Venue Receiver system is a modular UHF design that operates with Digital Hybrid Wireless™ transmitters, as well as a variety of analog transmitters. It consists of a Venue Receiver Master (VRM) and one to six plug-in receiver modules.
About Lectrosonics
Well respected within the film, broadcast, and theater technical communities since 1971, Lectrosonics wireless microphone systems and audio processing products are used daily in mission-critical applications by audio engineers familiar with the company's dedication to quality, customer service, and innovation. Lectrosonics is a US manufacturer based in Rio Rancho, New Mexico.
