HOUSTON, TEXAS, JANUARY 4, 2024 ― Followers not too long ago flocked to cities throughout North America and Europe for an opportunity to see Beyoncé stay throughout the Renaissance Tour: a 56-stop run to help her newest GRAMMY®Award-winning album. Working with such a high-caliber artist, Renaissance Tour Monitor Engineer James Berry has excessive expectations for his sound setup—one which would want to impress not just for the stay exhibits, but additionally for the not too long ago launched Renaissance: A Movie by Beyoncé.
Figuring out this, Berry turned to DPA Microphones for numerous versatile options that may maintain up rain or shine, together with the brand new 2017 Shotgun Microphone. “We did some beta testing with the 2017 and it ended up being a terrific crowd mic,” Berry explains. “The readability and vary of it was so full; we had been capable of cowl extra space with no distortion by way of the PA. I didn’t get any of that high-end distortion you hear with different shotguns. You’ll be able to actually experience it with out getting any of that crunchiness you often expertise when the viewers will get loud. I additionally didn’t must excessive move this shotgun as a lot as I do with others, which is uncommon.”
The 2017s had been particularly useful for the stay present recordings executed on the Houston, Texas stops for the movie. “We flew twelve 2017s from the ceilings of the catwalk to seize the higher ranges of the stadium,” Berry explains. “The small measurement of the microphones actually helped to cover it throughout the digicam platforms and entrance of home decks.”
Berry additionally deployed the 4017 Shotgun and 5100 Encompass Sound mics for the group, in addition to the 4099 Instrument, 4011 Cardioid Condenser and 4055 Kick Drum Microphones all through the band. The workforce hung 4017 Shotguns on the ceilings and positioned them in different areas across the ground. To seize the group’s full genuine vitality whereas recording, Berry and the workforce needed to work across the tour’s distinctive stadium set, which was very extensive with a thrust down the center. For this, sixteen 5100s had been utilized in a chase sequence to seize the viewers in entrance of the artist at any time when she went on stage.
“We actually took these 5100s by way of the ringer,” says Berry. “We had them outdoor the whole time, even within the wind and rain. When it’s downpouring, you’re not at all times going to need to tear down and gather all these mics, so we used the climate safety covers and windsocks, which didn’t have an effect on the sound. It was nonetheless the identical crystal-clear audio, and we by no means misplaced a mic within the rain, which is a win-win for me.”
Whereas the audio captured by the encompass mic was particularly nice for the movie, the 5100 was initially chosen as a crowd mic for Beyoncé’s in-ears. “A few the band members used this audio, however the feed was primarily for Beyoncé,” continues Berry. “She likes to really feel the viewers and be part of it, in order that was the principle drive behind our setup. We positioned the 5100s downstage to seize the viewers in entrance of the artist and the 2017s on the far outdoors to catch the higher seating, and we achieved nice outcomes. In whole, we had round 128 channels of viewers mics for our recorded exhibits, which fed from the 5100s and the shotguns——it at all times supplied a fullness from the group. There’s nothing like with the ability to belief your viewers mic setup.”
Berry says DPA’s instrument mics supplied an equally spectacular stage of sound and ease of use. The esteemed 4099s graced the saxophone, trumpet, trombone and flute, whereas the drum package was outfitted with a 4055 Kick Drum mic and 4011s on snare. “I selected the 4011 as a result of it checked all my containers: measurement, sound and readability,” he provides. “The pickup sample stayed tremendous tight, and it was simply the fitting measurement to get in tight on the drum package. I positioned the 4055 proper outdoors the kick. That is perhaps certainly one of my favourite DPA mics. It picked up the complete vary and bought precise readability from the pinnacle and beater, which I can’t obtain from different mics at that place. It additionally held up very effectively on the street.”
To regulate the DPA sound, the Renaissance Tour had 5 DiGiCo SD7 Quantums. A big DiGiCo Opticore Loop was additionally pushed by DPA’s 5100s, with the second loop primarily that includes the viewers mic setup. d&b audiotechnik GSL Sequence loudspeakers additionally projected the sound all through the stadium. For outboard gear, Berry had Waves on the computer systems and Common Audio UAD on the band desk. The DPA 5100s and KLANG’s ground-breaking immersive mixing processor had been used to create a completely engrossing expertise for Beyoncé and the opposite on-stage musicians, who had been outfitted with Wisycom in-ears.
Lengthy aware of DPA sound, Berry has gathered a number of of the model’s mics on his checklist of must-have gear for gigs. Whether or not for Beyoncé exhibits or different excursions, Berry continues to be assured within the model’s sturdiness and sound high quality. “Lots of the DPA gear that I used for Renaissance occurs to be on my ‘short-list.’ On the monitor facet, the 5100 and 2017 are going to be in my toolbox without end. Once I’m out entrance, I’m positively pulling the 4011 for snare and naturally, the 4055 on kick. It’s a type of mics I received’t depart house with out. Identical with the 2017, I don’t ever plan on doing a gig with out one.”
After greater than 20 years within the touring business, Berry has labored alongside a number of the largest names in music, together with Stevie Marvel, Jennifer Hudson, Kings of Leon and Ms. Lauryn Hill. When not touring, the engineer loves sharing his technical expertise and expertise with audio professionals throughout the U.S. He notes that his ardour for educating and serving to others drives him, and he feels lucky to not solely be taught on the street however move that information on to others.
The expertise and stage presence emitted by pop icon Beyoncé has demanded the world’s consideration for nearly three many years. From her time in R&B trio Future’s Youngster, to her success as a solo artist and businesswoman, Beyoncé has garnered a mass following devoted to her musical ingenuity, stellar vocals and riveting performances.
