Sennheiser Microphones Used On Robbie Williams Tour

Sennheiser Swings Both Ways With Robbie Williams
Sennheiser microphones and in-ear monitors were used throughout Robbie Williams Swing Both Ways tour throughout Europe in April, May and June.

The tour's audio system was supplied by Britannia Row Productions and included 10 channels of Sennheiser SKM 5200 series handheld microphones with MD 5235 capsules and 22 channels of 2000 series in-ear monitors.
"There were a lot of challenges with the vocal microphones, because on this tour there is a great dynamic in the style of song - from solo ballads, through swing numbers to full on rock mode. This is a challenge for the mic, especially when Robbie is in front of the PA a lot of the time," said Front of House engineer Simon Hodge.
While Simon and monitor engineer Pete McGlynn both really like the sound and rejection of the SKM 5200 / MD 5235 combination, Sennheiser UK’s Mark Saunders was keen to help them improve the sound even further.
"Mark produced a variation of the MD 5235 that has a slightly more manageable low end response as the proximity changes," said Pete. "It proved to be hugely beneficial if Robbie gets right on the mic, without having to use extra compression or dynamic EQ. The result was a very natural sound."
In monitor world, the production's combination of a three-tiered stage, B stage and ego ramps meant that using any wedges or other onstage loudspeakers was impractical. In-ear monitoring was the only solution, but that brought its own challenges. Enter RF 'guru' George Hogan…
"As Robbie started under the stage, ran around the B stage, into the heart of the arena and across all three tiers, his IEM coverage was a project of its own," said Pete. "Even though we had a 17 piece band, plus dancers, we managed to squeeze the in-ear monitoring into 22 channels, the main reason being the obvious limitations in available spectrum in some parts of Europe.
"As well as looking after the frequency management, George specified a distributed system of flown transmitter antennae for the band area, with Robbie’s antenna on the PA cable bridge. This enabled us to keep the transmitter power as low as possible, while still allowing the 2000 series to deliver an incredibly noise free system throughout the backstage and performance areas."

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