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Sound Reinforcement - Forums for Live Sound Professionals - Your Displayed Name Must Be Your Real Full Name To Post In The Live Sound Forums => LAB: The Classic Live Audio Board => Topic started by: Josh Hoevelmann on March 02, 2011, 08:48:15 AM

Title: American Idol Wireless Microphones
Post by: Josh Hoevelmann on March 02, 2011, 08:48:15 AM
Idol was using a very different looking wireless microphone, compared to the usual Sennheiser or Shure.  What it appeared to me was a Line 6 digital with a Blue mic capsule(which I can't find).  The capsule looked just like a Blue Encore 300.  Anybody have any more info on what they are?  This is just my guess, based on the looks.
Title: Re: American Idol Wireless Microphones
Post by: Chris Hindle on March 02, 2011, 08:57:51 AM
....
Hovelmenn, you may get some answer after you change your alias to your real name... (like the forum rules spell out)
Title: Re: American Idol Wireless Microphones
Post by: Daniel Cash on March 02, 2011, 04:20:10 PM
Josh,

I found this on the blue website:
http://blueblog.bluemic.com/2011/03/bluemicamericanidol/

You guess was exactly right, Line 6 wireless with Blue capsule "custom made" for American Idol.   It seems like Blue is spending a lot of money on marketing for the live market. If I remember correctly, there are some venues currently sponsored by Blue, and having an array of the blue handheld mics, trying to get engineers to use them.
Title: Re: American Idol Wireless Microphones
Post by: John Neil on March 02, 2011, 09:39:22 PM
Idol was using a very different looking wireless microphone, compared to the usual Sennheiser or Shure.  What it appeared to me was a Line 6 digital with a Blue mic capsule(which I can't find).  The capsule looked just like a Blue Encore 300.  Anybody have any more info on what they are?  This is just my guess, based on the looks.

A local room has the Blue 100/200 models on stage.  Significant features:

1) Fancy lookin.
2) Baggie sexier than a Shure zip pouch.
3) Grille shape discourages repeat cupping offenders.

Good for them.  Given the number of PAs in my life with excessive low-mid crazies accentuated by cupping, their product design team and I must have similar goals.
Title: Re: American Idol Wireless Microphones
Post by: Dan Johnson on March 03, 2011, 12:33:32 AM
3) Grille shape discourages repeat cupping offenders.
The high handling noise should help discourage cuppers too.  The 100 is a pretty good mic if the handing noise isn't a deal-breaker though...and they were cheap when I bought mine.

Read my review here. (http://srforums.prosoundweb.com/index.php/t/60316/22040/)
Title: Re: American Idol Wireless Microphones
Post by: Ryan Cecil on March 03, 2011, 07:55:14 AM
This mic is part of the Beats by Dr Dre line, see more here http://www.crunchgear.com/2011/03/02/blue-microphone-styled-by-dr-dre-takes-center-stage-on-american-idol/

I had the chance to check a few out a few weeks back.  The RF performance was right up there with what you would expect from any pro user mic, and the audio quality was quite good.  They are still working through some things on the mic, right now it's EQ is tailored to a very flat response, so it took more EQ than the Senn Me 5002 we were comparing it to.

Ryan
Title: Re: American Idol Wireless Microphones
Post by: Josh Hoevelmann on March 03, 2011, 11:41:55 AM
Thanks for everybody's info.
Title: Re: American Idol Wireless Microphones
Post by: Tim Mitchell on March 03, 2011, 03:58:59 PM
I watched American Idol last night but only because my wife watches it. But I was wondering why they have all had two wireless mics, one Handheld and one Lavalier with beltpack?
Title: Re: American Idol Wireless Microphones
Post by: Warrick Moore on March 03, 2011, 06:54:46 PM
I watched American Idol last night but only because my wife watches it. But I was wondering why they have all had two wireless mics, one Handheld and one Lavalier with beltpack?



The lavalier is for speech and the Handheld is for the singing.
Title: Re: American Idol Wireless Microphones
Post by: Kevin Maxwell on March 03, 2011, 07:05:46 PM
Josh,

I found this on the blue website:
http://blueblog.bluemic.com/2011/03/bluemicamericanidol/

You guess was exactly right, Line 6 wireless with Blue capsule "custom made" for American Idol.   It seems like Blue is spending a lot of money on marketing for the live market. If I remember correctly, there are some venues currently sponsored by Blue, and having an array of the blue handheld mics, trying to get engineers to use them.

I saw it Tuesday evening and I wasn’t impressed at all with the mix. I thought the hand held wireless looked strange. And I couldn’t tell if the mics didn’t sound great or it was all because of something else in the transmission chain.