Podium Mics at the DNC

[Jonathan Starr]

I'm a Delegate on the floor at the Democratic National Convention in Denver.

So far, at the Pepsi Center, the audio has been great with minimal flaws. The music is all live, performed above and just next to our seating, and I haven't heard any dropouts or pops/sibilance problems.

I ran into Thomas Krajecki who works for Shure in the arena. He's a mic specialist helping the audio crews. Very knowledgable and helpful guy.

Just about everything in the house is Shure, except for the podium mics. These are two Schoeps capsules in a mount that holds them next to each other, and one windscreen. From his description I wasn't clear if they were CCM's or just two caps with the bodies separate down in the cabinet.

Anyway, one is a Mk4 card and one is an omni, mk 2 or 2s. Generally only one is used, the card when the speaker stays back off the mic, and the omni when pops or sibilance or proximity becomes an issue. The mixer switches back and forth as needed.

I've never heard of this way to use two podium mics, but Thomas said it's being done increasingly.

[fifthcircle]

The two Schoeps mics in a single mount is not uncommon. ATK in Los Angeles has a podium setup that is used for lots of awards shows and such. However, the rig that usually goes out there is a MK41 capsule and an MK4. I've never heard of an omni being used- if for no other reason than it just picks up too much of what is around it. I could see a sub cardiod used if you wanted a wide pickup, but especially for broadcast, you don't want your main podium mic picking up anything other than the voice at the podium

In this mount that ATK has, they use standard CMC6 bodies with the active cables to extend the body of the mic away from the capsule. It is not usually a CCM mic.

I will also add that there is usually a "podium rack" that goes with the rig for the high-end gigs. It has been awhile since I've seen it, but it usually has a vocal channel of a preamp, eq and compressor. Also, there is usually a CEDAR DNS1000 to do denoising duties on an insert of the console to make sure the sound is as clean as can be.

--Ben

[Jim vanBergen]

Yup, this is a pretty standard, albeit 'high end' podium setup.
Cedar is very popular for broadcast, and for live/broadcast events, that item is a pretty standard add as well.

Thanks for the DC update!

JvB