Microphone techniques for reinforcing live classical orchestras involve similar setups to those used in the recording studio – a centrally-mounted array plus individual spot mics. Seasoned veteran Fred Vogler has been working with the Los Angeles Philharmonic at the Hollywood Bowl and Walt Disney Concert Hall.
In addition to a central array of four
DPA 4028 Wide Cardioids at the Bowl, Vogler is now using
IMK4061 Instrument Miking Kits with
MSS6000 Summation Systems to cover individual string instruments within the LA Philharmonic, plus
3521 Compact Cardioid Stereo Kits on grand piano,
4066 Headworn Microphones for opera and pop concerts and
DPA 4011 cardioids to mike percussion.
To simplify the wiring required for his IMK4061 Instrument Miking Kits, Vogler uses two DPA MSS6000 Summation Systems, which enable outputs from individual Stereo Satellite Boxes (SSB) to be combined onto a single connection. Powered by conventional 48V phantom power, each SSB combines the output of two miniature mics, with individual gain and pan controls for each microphone; the five SSBs contained in each MSS6000 can be daisy-chained one to the other to the system's Master Sum Box, which routes to the mixing console outputs from 10 mics via just two audio channels.
"At the Bowl, we run two MSS6000 systems to handle the 20 IMK4061 microphones that we use on the low strings; one system handles the basses and the other the cellos. The ability to link so many microphones via a reduced number of microphone cables keeps a lot of loose and unnecessary cable off the stage and away from the orchestra members. The system's electronic performance is outstanding - the resultant sound from the bass and cello sections, in particular, is the best I have ever heard! It is a flexible and highly functional operation." Each Summation System can be expanded to handle up to 15 SSBs and 30 mics routed via two mixer channels.
Close-mounted on violins, violas, cellos and bass, "The 4061s are amazing," Vogler enthuses. "They handle more level before distortion than other miniature microphones I have used, a characteristic that is vitally important with instrument-mounted models where levels can change dramatically during a performance."
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