Eurovision Performers Rely On DPA Microphones

Performers at this year's 2021 Eurovision Song Contest (ESC) were able to deliver memorable vocal performances thanks to solutions from DPA Microphones.

The 65th edition of the event took place at the Rotterdam Ahoy in The Netherlands last month, with ESC Head of Broadcast Sound Thijs Peters and ESC Head of Venue Sound Jeroen ten Brinke selecting DPA as the perfect match for the production.

"I have over 25 years' experience as a live sound engineer and designer, and I have been using DPA since it was B&K; the d:factos are great-sounding mics," said ten Brinke. "It was an honour to work on Eurovision, one of the world's biggest live television productions. It was wonderful to find that there was no doubt from anyone within the production as to which mics to use."

Ampco Flashlight, the official technical supplier for lighting, rigging and audio, provided one-hundred 4088 Directional Headsets and 40 d:facto™4018V Vocal Microphones from DPA Microphones for all of the show's vocal performances.

Due to the pandemic, the Eurovision team was extra cautious about hygiene. As a result, the production invested in 120 separate d:facto microphone grids to ensure each singer would have their own, for an added level of health safety.

The DPA d:facto 4018 mics are available in an extremely linear version(4018VL), as well as one with a high-end boost(4018V), which was used for the ESC. The modular nature of the d:facto enables users to switch the adapter and capsule, making it the most flexible vocal microphone on the market. Based off DPA's studio solutions, the d:facto also brings a true recording sound to the live stage or broadcast studio.

Additionally, the company's classic 4088 Directional Headset Microphone has long been an industry standard. It offers an open and natural sound for both spoken word and vocal performance applications alike, earning it a top rank for Broadway and other theatre productions.

"I use the 4088 headsets on almost every show because the look good and remains on position," added ten Brinke.

ESC 2021 was presented by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) and hosted by Nederlandse Publieke Omreop (NPO) and Nederlandse Omroep Stichting NOS and AVROTROS, under the leadership of ESC Head of Production Erwin Rintjem.

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