Audio-Technica supplied more than 150 vocal and instrument microphones for the
49th Annual Country Music Association (CMA) Awards, presented on November 4,
2015 at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville. Broadcast live in 5.1-channel surround
sound on the ABC Television Network in the USA, the awards show featured an
extensive selection of Audio-Technica wired microphones, plus Artist Elite 5000
Series UHF Wireless Systems with AEW-T6100a and AEW-T5400a handheld
microphone/transmitters.
Audio-Technica’s acclaimed Artist Elite 5000 Series UHF Wireless System with the
AEW-T6100a hypercardioid dynamic handheld microphone/transmitter was used for
lead vocals by Audio-Technica endorser Jason Aldean, who performed “Gonna Know
We Were Here’; fellow Audio-Technica endorser Thomas Rhett, who a performed
mashup of “Crash and Burn’ and “Uma Thurman’ with Fall Out Boy; Justin
Timberlake, who guested with Chris Stapleton on “Tennessee Whiskey’ and
Timberlake’s own “Drink You Away’; and Hank Williams Jr., who sang his new
single “Are You Ready for the Country’ with Eric Church.
The 5000 Series wireless was also used by Maddie & Tae, who performed the
award-winning “Girl In A Country Song’ using the AEW-T5400a Cardioid Condenser
Handheld Microphone/Transmitter.
The backline mic complement of Audio-Technica wired microphones included the
AT4080 phantom-powered bidirectional ribbon microphone on guitars; AT4050 multi-
pattern condenser on overheads; AT4040 cardioid condenser microphone on guitars;
AE2500 dual-element cardioid on kick drum; AE5100 cardioid condenser on hi-hat
and ride cymbals; ATM650 hypercardioid dynamic on snare; and ATM350 cardioid
condenser clip-on microphone and ATM250 hypercardioid dynamic on toms.
The CMA Awards presentation is recognised as Country Music’s Biggest Night and
represents the pinnacle of achievement for those involved in country music. The
team of industry veterans responsible for the audio at this year’s CMA’s again
included a who’s-who of broadcast audio. Serving as Co-Audio Producers were Tom
Davis and Paul Sandweiss; ATK/Audiotek provided the sound system with FOH
mixers Patrick Baltzell and Rick Shimer; the broadcast music mix was handled by
New Jersey/California-based M3’s (Music Mix Mobile’s) John Harris and Jay Vicari; J.
Mark King served as Broadcast Production Mixer. Stage monitoring was handled by
Tom Pesa and Jason Spence, and James Stoffo served as RF
Coordinator/Microphone Tech.
“Audio-Technica is a vital supporter of our technical team during the CMA Awards,’
stated Tom Davis, Co-Audio Producer of the 49th Annual CMA Awards. “Their artist
relations and on-site technical support are both superior. And of course, their wired
and wireless mics sound great, and are consistently reliable. Having Audio-Technica
in our corner makes our lives a whole lot easier!’
James Stoffo, RF Coordinator/Microphone Tech, echoes Davis’s sentiments: “We
love the support we receive from Audio-Technica, and we have never had any
problems with interference, drifting or audio quality of their wireless systems. The
A-T 5000 series wireless that we have used, not only on this show but others, has
been flawless. I’m always happy to see A-T on the show.’
