Gearhouse Broadcast Delivers 'The X Factor' Audio Solution

For the fourth consecutive series broadcast solutions provider Gearhouse Broadcast return to Fountain Studios to provide the audio systems for 'The X Factor', ITV’s successful, rating winning talent show, which goes out live from the studio this Saturday.
Gearhouse Broadcast has been awarded the contract of sole supplier for all radio microphone equipment for ITV’s hit show and will work with three clients, Talkback Thames, Fountain Studios and Video Sound Services to deliver a huge, complex system in accordance with the shows production requirements. Planning for the production commenced many weeks prior to the programmes studio transmission this weekend.
The broadcast solutions company’s Audio Division will provide all of the presenter and contestant radio microphones for both the ITV1 and ITV2 shows amounting to over 54 channels of various RF equipment throughout Fountain Studios, Wembley from where the shows were broadcasted.
Gearhouse Broadcast’s Managing Director commented: “Drawing on our vast experience of live television production we understand the time constraint involved and the need to work within budget and provide reliable, quality systems. We will create a multi-purpose radio microphone solution to meet the large scale requirements of this high profile show.”
All radio kit will be configured to meet the specifications of BAFTA award winning Sound Director, Robert Edwards of VSS Limited, who sets out the requirements for both the shows and has worked with Gearhouse Broadcast on a number of projects before including Talent TV’s ‘Test the Nation’ and ‘How Euro Are You’.
In total 7 x 8-way receiver racks were rigged in Fountain Studios for use on both the ITV1 & ITV2 shows. The 7 racks were used in conjunction with a Sennheiser custom built ‘Prosplit Titan’ aerial combiner which allowed full diversity coverage throughout the studios during the shows. This type of audio solution was determined by both the ITV1 and ITV2 shows requiring not only coverage of the studio but also the backstage areas, green rooms, dressing rooms and connecting corridors all on one system so that contestants could move around the different areas.
The Titan combiner is a bespoke solution built specifically to meet the audio RF demands of the X Factor and provides a multi-zone radio mic system. Further audio equipment includes 43 x Sennheiser SK 5012 and 5212 transmitters, 5 Sennheiser SKM 5200-U Transmitters, 2 Sennheiser SKP 30 Plug on transmitters and a standard set of 2 Sennheiser wireless In Ear Monitors.
Due to the 54 channels of Radio Frequencies throughout the building a custom calculated frequency plan is needed to avoid any interference between the equipment. This is developed in conjunction with the audio manufacturer Sennheiser.
For the duration of the show the Gearhouse Broadcast’s audio department will supply full technical support and back-up assisting the smooth running of the production.
(DS)