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Applause For The GRAMMYs…

Cory Lorentz — Mon, 18 Feb 2013 17:46:33 +0000

…That’s what you hear as the 55th Annual GRAMMY Awards go live to air in the packed to capacity Staples Center in downtown Los Angeles. However, before all of the applause and packed seats of onlookers, the GRAMMYs go through a rigorous schedule of rehearsal and timed perfection. What you at home see on TV is the result of A LOT of hard work. The madness that is GRAMMY week is bigger than any single concert you’ve been to, and it is where we spent most of last week as things began to take shape for music’s biggest night.

Prior to entering the bowels of the Staples Center, Shure once again sponsored the Producers & Engineers Wing GRAMMY Week Celebration honoring Quincy Jones & Al Schmitt. Hang on… prior to that, we made a stop to In-N-Out Burger in honor of Mr. Mike Lohman, who could not be with us on this trip. It was worth the wait. It was delicious. Why don’t we have this in Chicago? Back to the GRAMMY stuff…

Making our temporary home in Studio B of The Village Recording Complex, Shure served up some fresh seafood and the latest in wired mics and headphones. It was amazing to hear so many stories about Shure mics being used on classic recordings from the engineers and producers in attendance. The Super 55 tree, as we have dubbed it, was a bit of a challenge to construct, but I’m happy to say that it made through the entire evening without incident! Aside from being in such esteemed company, the highlight of the night for me was watching a few very critical ears try on the Shure SRH940 and SRH1840 headphones and be completely blown away! That and the countless offers that were made to purchase the SM7B on site or the questions about it being included in some sort of raffle. Most visitors to Studio B had something positive to say about the sleeper hit that is the SM7B.

Okay, so breakfast at the hotel was not that good and VERY expensive, not doing that again. Never mind that, we were making our way to the tunnel into the madness I referenced (there it is on the left) to join in the fun of rehearsals, day one. By the way, the “we” in question is Ryan Smith, Artist Relations Nashville and Jenn Liang-Chaboud, Market Development Senior Specialist. There is so much that goes into this show and everything is in the same place every year… good thing, as I’m just starting to get this whole thing down. As we arrived to the backstage area, we were called into a meeting with production who were concerned about how much “fun” the band fun. was going to be having on GRAMMY night. The “fun” in question was the rain curtain you all undoubtedly witnessed, where the band, all of their instruments and microphones were all drenched in a rain storm. Of course there was concern that the mics may fail if exposed to that level of water, but we were never all that concerned… that’s how we test this stuff! Aware of production’s concern, we immediately put a few phone calls in to the home office in Chicago to have back up transmitters and capsules sent out the next day (thanks to all of the Shure people who came through in the clutch)! Needless to say, we never needed back ups. Those mics you saw on Sunday night were the same mics from rehearsal and dress rehearsal… that’s multiple rain storms!

Making our way around the arena, we found some familiar faces in Mike Parker and Tom Pisa working stage left and stage right respectively. We were also happy to see some familiar product in place as the exclusive in ear monitor system for all artists performing at the GRAMMYs. Twenty-four channels of Shure’s PSM 1000 was once again the preferred choice by production and most of the artists that performed this year. Rehearsals did not begin until about 1:30 pm on day one, so it gave us some time to catch up with everyone and provide them a little Shure swag in the meantime. It actually got cold there in California… nothing like what Chicago was going through, but even a hooded sweatshirt (this year’s swag item) struggled to keep me warm. I did refuse to opt for the winter coat stashed back at the hotel… I’m from the midwest and way too many people would be a little upset and quite possibly revoke my man card if I was discovered wearing a winter coat in California.

So anyway, as the rehearsals moved into full swing, lots of Shure mics were in some pretty important positions on stage. It was nice to see the KSM313 on the guitar amps of the Lumineers and Jack White, that’s quickly becoming everyone’s favorite mic for guitar amp… it looks pretty sweet, too! On vocals you saw Taylor Swift on an Axient Wireless System with a Beta 58, fun. on UHF-R Wireless with Beta 58s, Mumford & Sons on Beta 58As, Justin Timberlake & Jay-Z on UHF-R Wireless with SM58s… a last minute vocal mic change put Justin on a Shure mic for the evening and I thought he sounded pretty damn good on it too! Adam Levine from Maroon 5 was on a UHF-R with a Beta 58 when he joined Alicia Keys onstage, The Black Keys rocked on their SM58s. Kelly Clarkson brought the house down on an SM58! The Lumineers had everyone singing along on SM58s. Jack White tore up the stage while on an SM58. The Levon Helm tribute featured amongst others, Mavis Staples on a UHF-R SM58, Brittany Howard on a UHF-R SM58 and Mumford & Sons on UHF-R SM58s. Juanes sounded amazing on a UHF-R KSM9 and Frank Ocean debuted a new track on a UHF-R SM58. The night ended with two hip-hop icons blazing up the stage as LL Cool J and Chuck D performed on UHF-R SM58s.

All in all, a pretty good selection of Shure mics helped to provide the audio on music’s biggest night! I would also like to mention the big win by Shure endorsers Mumford & Sons for Album of the Year, fun. for Best New Artist and Song of the Year, and The Black Keys for Best Rock Song, Best Rock Album and Best Rock Performance.

So, things are kind of normal around here now, but I would be lying to you if I said I haven’t started thinking about next year!

Rock Out!
Cory

Shure Wireless, Wired & PSM Products Receive Awards

Allison Wolcott — Thu, 07 Feb 2013 23:23:21 +0000

When The NAMM Show rolls around, we can barely contain our excitement about sharing the new products we’ve been feverishly, painstakingly engineering all year long.

There’s another part of NAMM season that keeps us on our toes, though. By then, products we’ve launched in the past year or so have been rigorously evaluated by users and industry experts alike, and it’s time to hear their thoughts. How do we know what they think? There are the reviews. And then, there are the awards.

We’re thrilled to have received the following awards recently. They inspire us to keep pushing the envelope year after year.

TEC Awards

The TEC Foundation recognized Axient® Wireless Management Network for Outstanding Technical Achievement in the Wireless Technology Category.

ProSoundWeb and Live Sound International Readers’ Choice Awards

Axient was named Wireless Microphone System of the Year. KSM9HS won in the Condenser Microphone Category, and PSM®1000 received its second Readers’ Choice Award as the sole winner of the In-Ear Monitor System Category.

Musical Merchandise Review’s Dealers’ Choice Awards

MMR polled more than 650 retailers across the country about their favorite products. The SM58® received the Microphone Line of the Year trophy at NAMM last month.

Pro Audio Review’s PAR Excellence Awards

The Pro Audio Review editors, contributors, and subscribers named ULX-D™ Digital Wireless System a winner in the Wireless Microphone Systems Category.

Music & Sound Retailer 27th Annual Music & Sound Awards

The Music & Sound Retailer editorial team stopped by our NAMM booth to award the KSM9HS the Best Cabled Microphone of the Year and ULX-D Digital Wireless the Best Wireless System of the Year.

Pro Sound Network’s Best of Show Awards

The Pro Sound News and Pro Audio Review editorial teams recognized the new GLX-D Digital Wireless System with a Best of Show award at NAMM.

Frequency Coordination & Axient® Webinars

Allison Wolcott — Fri, 10 Aug 2012 20:30:09 +0000

Shure Technical Training Manager Gino Sigismondi continues our new Learning Center webinar series with two August offerings:

THURSDAY, AUGUST 23; Frequency Coordination for Wireless Systems
Learn (or brush up on) the basics of frequency coordination for wireless microphone systems, including practice scenarios utilizing the frequency compatibility function of Shure Wireless Workbench® software.

Times
10:00 AM – 11:00 AM CDT Register for the 10 AM webinar
2:00 PM – 3:00 PM CDT Register for the 2 PM webinar

TUESDAY, AUGUST 28; Axient® Wireless Management Network Overview
Discover all the new the features that Axient® brings to professional wireless microphone users.

Times
10:00 AM – 11:00 AM CDT Register for the 10 AM webinar
2:00 PM – 3:00 PM CDT Register for the 2 PM webinar

After you register, you’ll get a confirmation email that’ll tell you how to join the webinar.

System requirements for PC-based attendees: Windows® 7, Vista, XP, or 2003 Server. For Macintosh®-based attendees: Mac OS® X 10.5 or newer required.

Happy learning!

View archives of our webinars at your convenience on shure.com.

ACMA’s, Axient, and PSM 1000!!!

Ryan Smith — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 15:04:13 +0000

The Academy of Country Music Awards continues to be one of my favorite trips of the year. It’s a great show to see all the crew people as well as get a bit of face time with our artists. Plenty of them were there: Rascal Flatts, The Band Perry, Sara Evans, Craig Morgan, Brad Paisley, Little Big Town, Toby Keith, Martina McBride, Dierks Bentley, and Luke Bryan. This years’ show was again held at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on April 1, 2012

A couple of exciting aspects of this years’ show included the fact that PSM1000′s were relied upon as the only system for ear monitors and Shure’s new Axient wireless system made 2 appearances on the show. The first was with artist Chris Young and then later in the show with Shure Artist Sara Evans. Both artists used the SM58 capsule and the system sounded incredibly clean.

One emotional point during the show was when Shure Artists Little Big Town sang a song with a children’s choir written by newcomer Hunter Hayes entitled “Here’s Hope.” The group started and ended with verses from John Lennon’s “Imagine.” Another magic moment came in the form of an actual wedding ceremony, performed during the song “Marry Me” sung by Shure Artist Martina McBride who was accompanied by Pat Monahan of Train.

Rascal Flatts debuted their new hit single “Banjo”, joined by Steve Martin whose banjo was captured using a KSM137. Toby Keith brought out his “Red Solo Cup” for Vegas and sang while wandering through the crowd, joined by the one and only Wayne Newton and comedian Carrot Top. The Band Perry debuted their new single “Postcard from Paris” singing on a trio of KSM9′s.

Another big highlight for me was when KISS walked by backstage, a couple of times. They were there to present the award for Vocal Group of the Year. I grew up listening to these Rock Icons and to see them that close was pretty awesome.

The crew for the show worked extra hard this year as they were rehearsing 2 shows at once. The next day after the awards show was a special concert – Lionel Richie and Friends – to be broadcast later this month. It’s always a pleasure hanging with this crew as they are so professional and offer great advice/commentary on current and future products.

Click on this link to see some highlights of the show and all the Shure products in action.

A stop-by with OAR

Richard Sandrok — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 20:09:32 +0000

Last Thursday I ran down to the Aragon Ballroom during the day. I was unable to hit their show in the evening, but there were plenty of Shure people in attendance. We had a group of Shure associates and Shure dealers who had just performed training on our Axient Wireless. OAR were gracious enough to allow us to bring down a few new toys for them to show off…and to be seen by our trainees in the real world. They were using Axient on vocals, the new ULX-D digital wireless system on Benj’s bass, and PSM1000 on their horn section. The rest of the stage was awash in Shure, the band being long-time endorsers.

I got a chance to speak to Marc, Jerry, Richard, and Chris individually for a bit. They were each using a few fun toys in their respective studios. Marc is a big fan of the SM7B. Jerry spoke highly of our KSM313 and KSM353 ribbon mics.

The Shure contingency had a great time seeing the band. Much thanks to the guys in the band and the crew for showing off the new stuff!

Benj Gershman used the new ULX-D system

Jerry DePizzo using a wireless Beta 98H/C

Marc Roberge (left) and Richard On

Chris Culos

Four Categories of Shure Products Receive Awards

Allison Wolcott — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 19:46:46 +0000

Year in and year out, Shure engineers obsess over new ways to deliver audio that amazes. Still, we’re in awe when our products win awards from organizations we respect and admire. Here’s a list of the most recent awards our products have received.

Wireless Systems

Axient Wireless Management Network
2012 NAMM “Best in Show—This Year’s Hottest Products” Gotta Stock It Award
PGX Digital Wireless
2011 TEC Award for Outstanding Technical Achievement, Wireless Technology
2011 Music & Sound Retailer Music & Sound Award for Best Wireless System
ULX-D Digital Wireless
2012 Pro Sound Network Best of Show Awards: NAMM Edition

Personal Monitoring

PSM 1000 Personal Monitor System
2011 Music & Sound Retailer Music & Sound Award for Product of the Year
2012 ProSoundWeb and Live Sound International Readers’ Choice Award

Wired Microphones

Beta 181 Ultra-Compact Side-Address Microphone
2011 TEC Award for Outstanding Technical Achievement, Microphone Technology / Sound Reinforcement
2011 Music & Sound Retailer Music & Sound Award for Best Wired Microphone
KSM42 Large Dual-Diaphragm Vocal Microphone
2012 ProSoundWeb and Live Sound International Readers’ Choice Award for Best Product, Condenser Microphones
SM58 Vocal Microphone
2011 Musical Merchandise Review Dealer’s Choice Awards for Microphone Line of the Year

Earphones

SE215 Sound Isolating Earphones
2011 PCMag.com Best of the Year Award

Okay, success celebrated. Back to the grindstone.

Shure Axient Wireless – Now Available

Matt Dobschuetz — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 16:31:09 +0000

Chris Lyons introduces Shure Axient™ Wireless Management Network.

Previewed at last year’s NAMM show, Axient is now shipping through Axient Certified Dealers. The system features new-to-the-world technologies that drive a range of innovative wireless system capabilities. Axient constantly scans for problems, always keeping a second, clean channel available—delivering control, convenience and confidence in wireless audio transmission for mission-critical events. Capabilities include interference detection and avoidance, spectrum management, advanced power management (thanks to a rock-solid rechargeable system), frequency diversity, transmitter remote control, and Wireless Workbench 6 software.

See http://axient.net for more info.

Legendary Night for Shure Endorsers Calle 13 at the 12th Annual Latin GRAMMYs

Nelson Arreguin — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 23:33:43 +0000

Shure Endorsers Calle 13 performing Song of the Year, “Latinoamérica” at the 12th Annual Latin GRAMMYs

November 10, 2011

Mandalay Bay Hotel & Casino – Las Vegas, NV

Every year, in the beginning of November, Latin music’s hottest acts converge on Las Vegas to celebrate the Latin GRAMMY’s. This year Latin GRAMMY week was busier than ever with interviews, rehearsals and pre-Latin GRAMMY parties that had city of sin sizzling with excitement. I arrived on Monday to attend rehearsals all week in support of the show and make sure that our endorsers and any artist using Shure were well supported and had the gear that they needed in order to sound how they want for their performances. I was happy to discover that the majority of the artists performing chose Shure mics and in-ear monitors for their performances.

Tuesday’s rehearsals kicked off with longtime Shure users Los Tigres del Norte featuring Paulina Rubio and continued with Reyli and Pepe Aguilar with his Maricahi. Later that evening, Shure Endorsers Calle 13 took the stage after arriving from a 14 hour flight from Chile and a four hour drive from LAX. After almost 20 hours traveling they finally arrived to Las Vegas right before their rehearsal was scheduled to begin. Once arrived, they were exhausted but excited for their rehearsal with the Orquesta Sinfónica Simón Bolívar of Venezuela that was conducted by none other than prodigious Gustavo Dudamel. According to Calle 13’s Tour Manager, they have been on tour non-stop and have not had a chance to rehearse with the orchestra. He said that they had to send the music via email to Dudamel and this was the first time they would be rehearsing together. It was amazing to watch Calle 13 and the orchestra, come together as if they have played a whole tour together after only a few run throughs. Of all the rehearsals I have witnessed to that point, this one was the most powerful, and it would go on to prove to be true of the rest. I could not wait to see it in front of a full house.

Wednesday’s rehearsals were not to be outdone. They kicked off with Marco Antonio Solis and continued throughout the day with Wisin & Yandel featuring Sean Kingston, Shakira, Romeo Santos featuring Usher, Pitbull and Marc Anthony and finished with Shure Endorsers Maná featuring Prince Royce. Needless to say it was an action packed day that was highlighted by entertaining rehearsals by Pitbull and Marc Anthony as well as Maná with Prince Royce. Later that night I attended BMI’s Los Producers Charity Show where some of the industry’s leading producers and engineers formed bands to play covers of popular 80’s jams to raise awareness and hold a silent auction for The Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation. Many artists came to this event to support their producers and engineers friends who usually reside behind a mixing console.

Thursday was show day and after a full run through of dress rehearsals it was time for the show. While the lights in the arena dimmed and the Orchestra led by the maestro Dudamel played, Rene “Residente” Perez of Calle 13, armed with a SM58 in hand and the PSM1000, opened the show with a simple message, “I’d like to dedicate this song, to all of the Latin Americans that are here tonight, from the deepest part of my heart, and to everyone watching on TV throughout Latin America, I hope it transports to your barrios, to your streets, to your roots, to the pains of your countries and that you feel it here in your chest.” The song Calle 13 performed was “Latinoamérica” which later went on to win the Latin GRAMMY for song of the year. The song begins by saying…

“I am, I am what was left behind, I am the left overs of all that has been stolen, A village hidden in the peak, my skin is made of leather to withstand any climate. I am a factory of smoke, A peasant working hand for your consumption, a cold front in the middle of the summer, Love in the Time of Cholera, my brother… The sun that is born and the day that dies, with the most beautiful dawns…”

After a few more verses the chorus says…

“You cannot buy the wind, you cannot buy the sun, you cannot buy the rain, you cannot buy the warmth, you cannot buy the clouds, you cannot buy the colors, you cannot buy my happiness, you cannot buy my pain…”

These words received a very emotional standing ovation because it was a very fitting and touching way to start the show since it poetically describes the struggles that Latin America has faced and how it has conquered them with its people’s unity and resolve. Looking around the room I saw many tears in the eyes of those around me. It was the most powerful musical moment I have ever witnessed. After the performance, I stood their wondering how this was received on the other side of the TV throughout the millions of homes not only throughout “Latinoamérica” but also throughout the homes of Latinos around the world. Shortly after I started receiving messages from friends and family saying how beautiful that moment was.

Watch Calle 13 perform “Latinoamérica” at the 12th Annual Latin GRAMMY’s here.

Calle 13 would go on to take over the night by winning 9 out of 10 Latin GRAMMY’s they were nominated for giving them a record total of 19 Latin GRAMMY’s which surpassed Juanes’s old record of 17. After winning the GRAMMY for Song of the Year, their 8^th time up to the stage to claim an award, Rene said to the crowd, “I don’t have words anymore, really this is incredible. I want to dedicate this award to Latin America because it taught me how to write this song, from Tijuana to Calafate. Cheers to a united Latin America.”

Shure’s new AXT200/KSM9 at the 12th Annual Latin GRAMMYs

Other Shure endorsers who won awards on the night included, Zoé of Mexico and Maná who each took two Latin GRAMMYs. Of the awards they won, Maná won the Latin GRAMMY for Best Rock Album, and Zoé won for Best Rock Song. Aline Barros of Brazil won the Latin GRAMMY for Best Christian Album (Portuguese).

Another highlight of the night was that Shure’s newest wireless system Axient hit the stage for performances with Shakira, Wisin and Yandel featuring Sean Kingston, Romeo Santos and Usher as well as Pepe Aguilar and Reyli. The night was full of other great performances and Shure microphones and PSM systems were the choice for most of the performers to hit Latin music’s biggest stage.

Watch Romeo Santos perform live with Axient at the 12th Annual Latin GRAMMYs here.

For a complete list of winners visit http://latingrammy.com

Nelson