Atlanta, GA (February 8, 2019)—While this week’s Super Bowl was widely reviewed as the most boring ever, it was a nail-biter for the wireless team, as it is always. With the massive sports event watched closely around the world, ensuring that wireless mics, monitors and more were clear and interference-free was crucial.
All RF usage was planned and managed by NFL lead frequency coordinator Karl Voss. Primary audio supplier ATK Audiotek again brought in Orlando, FL-based Professional Wireless Systems (PWS) to handle audio for the on-field entertainment, such as Gladys Knight’s rendition of the National Anthem, the Maroon 5 halftime show and the referee’s critical microphone.
Professional Wireless Systems RF engineer, Gary Trenda, chose Shure wireless again, explaining, “It’s our second straight year using Axient Digital as our preferred system, which has several advantages in covering a football field. The Quadversity antenna system increases reliability and range. No matter where your transmitter is, you’re always closer to antennas than you would be with a regular diversity setup. That’s a huge advantage to us because the stage design and location are typically not yet finalized at the time when we are designing the RF distribution and specifying the wireless equipment.”
Axient Digital was also in use before the game for events like the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award, presented to Chris Long of Philadelphia, by previous winner J.J. Watt of Houston, who used an AD2 handheld transmitter with KSM8 mic element. Presentation of the colors used AD1 bodypack transmitters on the Sergeant and drummers in the color guard. Chloe x Halle then sang “America The Beautiful” using AD2/KSM9 handhelds, followed by the National Anthem, sung by Gladys Knight on the ADX2FD/KSM8 microphone.
For the coin toss, referee John Parry was double-miked with twin Axient analog AXT100 bodypack transmitters in frequency diversity mode. Parry used the system for penalty calls throughout the game.
The halftime show saw singer Adam Levine’s vocals delivered via an ADX2FD/SM58 microphone. In addition, Levine and Maroon 5 lead guitarist James Valentine used the new ADX1 bodypack systems for their guitars.
“The Super Bowl requires a lot of preparation and specialized equipment, and Shure is a big part of that,” said Trenda. “Once again this year, we had no equipment issues at all during pregame or the halftime show, so it’s fair to say that Axient Digital with Quadversity is our preferred wireless. It’s a proven product that gives us the reliability required for a live broadcast event like the Super Bowl.”
Shure • www.shure.com
