RUGBY LEAGUE REFS MIKE UP WITH DPA

SOUND Network, UK distributors for DPA microphones, have supplied a number of DPA 4061 miniature microphones to VME, the specialist sound company that handles Rugby League coverage for Sky Sport.
The tiny microphones were used during the recent 25-match Super League series when they were worn by studio presenters and referees so that live audiences could hear their comments as the matches progressed.
The system also enabled referees to maintain two-way contact with control room fourth official (video referee) so that video replays could be used to settle difficult adjudication on the pitch via the two-way radio communication.
Dion Davey, Head of VME, said: “In the hostile environment of Rugby League it’s the toughness and durability of the microphone that counts. They must be able to deliver incredible clarity, particularly as we are broadcasting live and don’t have much time to do much more than EQ the sound to minimise chest noise. We’d heard good things on the grapevine about the DPA 4061s and they also came highly recommended by freelance engineer, Steve McManus, who had used them on various theatre shows. We tried them out and were delighted with the results. Their performance was stunning, especially in the studio where we were getting up to 7dB more gain.”
VME have handled Sky Sport’s super league coverage for the past six years and pioneered the concept of miking up referees and the two-way communication that linked to the video screen in order to bring a new dimension to the game. (CD)