Shure provides wireless solutions for Chinese Idol
Published: ASIA
CHINA: The popular singing competition and reality TV programme Chinese Idol recently called upon Shure to provide microphone solutions for the series. Shanghai Loud Noise Cultural Communication Co was tasked with supplying equipment for the production, opting to use Shure’s Axient wireless management network and UHF-R wireless microphone system due to the high demand and need to provide stability and superior sound quality.
Jointly presented by Dragon TV and the producer of American Idol, it is hosted by Coco Lee, Han Hong, Huang Xiaoming and Wang Weizhong. According to the show’s producer, ‘the success of this programme relies on quality wireless sound for the judges, audience and viewers at home’.
‘The programme is presented from an indoor stage environment which has very high demands for the wireless systems’ stability, reliability and sound quality. Given our past success with Shure wireless systems, there was no doubt that we would continue to opt for Shure for the programme,’ said Zhang Lei of Shanghai Loud Noise Cultural Communication Co. ‘At the beginning of the competition and during its middle stages we used the UHF-R system but the grand final was broadcast live. To ensure that the grand final could proceed without interruption we also added the Axient wireless system for the celebrity hosts. Both Shure products performed above our expectations.’
For the grand final, the total system comprised of 16 channels of UHF-R and four channels of Axient. Each of the celebrity hosts used the AXT200 Axient handheld frequency diversity transmitter with KSM9 and Beta-58 microphone cartridges selected to match their respective voice character. Shure wired microphones such as the SM57 and SM58 were also used across all live performances for instruments and backing vocals.
Mr An Dong, an accomplished musician and music director of Chinese Idol, said the Shure wireless microphone systems ‘performed exceptionally well throughout the competition, delivering clear and natural sound, and thus were able to show each contestants real voice’.
‘Shure is the equipment that I use most during live performances,’ said Shao Yong, the FOH sound engineer. ‘I have used Shure wired microphones and wireless systems such as the UHF-R, Beta-58 and SM58 in many live shows. Not surprisingly, the Axient wireless system that we used during the live programme demonstrated stability with high level of sound quality.’