After a two-year hiatus due to the coronaviruspandemic, Malaysian band Hujan played a series of virtual concerts transmitted live from the Petaling Jaya Performing Arts Centre. Hujan 16 Tahun was held acoss four nights during October, with different genres and themes, marking the band’s 16-year career. It was the first time that Hujan has used Sennheiser’s Digital 6000 System.
The band wanted to ensure the shows came as close as possible to a real-world performance to reignite the Indie spirit of their fans – the Raingers. Hujan 16 Tahun was the inaugural event for the newly constructed Petaling Jaya Performing Arts Centre.
Wireless monitoring was via evolution wireless and 2000 Series IEMs, while the backline used several Sennheiser and Neumann microphones. Neumann KH 310 monitors helped in fine-tuning the mix for the live streams.
For vocals, Hujan relied on a four-channel Sennheiser Digital 6000 system plus additional wired mics. Vocalist Noh used an SKM 6000 with Neumann KK 205 head, lead guitarist AG Coco an SKM 6000 with Neumann KK 105 capsule, and Azham an SKM 6000 with MM 445 capsule. Bassist Izzat used a wired MD 435 microphone, while backing vocals were picked up by an e 935 and e 945.
‘It was band vocalist Noh’s first time on the D 6000 system, and it felt as if it was not wireless at all,’ reports engineer Bijan FX. ‘Its latency is so low that it seemed like a wired microphone. On the mixing side, the Neumann KH 310 monitors helped me in making critical decisions – their precision was fantastic.’
‘I liked the sound coming out of the SKM 6000 handheld and the KK 205 super-cardioid capsule complemented with the Neumann V 402 preamplifier – it sounded much smoother for the vocalist’s rock nature,’ adds FOH engineer Ahmad Syafiq, who looked after the sound for the live guests. ‘With the lead guitarist singing into a super-cardioid KK 105 and the bassist into a super-cardioid MD 445, we were able to bring studio sound onto the stage.’
He had patched the V 402 in-line between the EM 6000 receiver and the sound console – for the benefit of the engineers at FOH, monitor and recording – and the audience.
Guitar and bass used wireless instrument systems from the evolution wireless and Evolution Wireless Digital series, while the drum kit was miked with various Sennheiser and Neumann models. Syafiq had a special solution for the snare top: ‘The evolution 900 series drum mics are my go-to microphones without a doubt; they give me the ability to tailor the music. For the snare top, we took an unorthodox path and used the super-cardioid MD 445, which sounded excellent as its polar pattern helps to eliminate hi-hat bleed. I would strongly recommend everyone to give this a try. Tyler Tan of Sennheiser told me about this application; it was a wonderful idea, and I’m sure that the drum world will benefit from it.’
In addition to the e 901 and e 902 for the kick drum, the toms and the snare bottom were picked up by e 904s. For the hi-hat and ride, Syafiq had chosen the Neumann KM 184. Ambience was picked up by two MKE 600.
The sell-out crowd in the convention centre was joined by 1,400 fans watching online, making Hujan 16 Tahun the most successful virtual concert yet performed in Malaysia.
‘Thank you, Sennheiser, for the amazing collaboration, especially for the on-site support from Zoul and Tyler,’ says band manager, Epain Ahmad. ‘The equipment made us sound better and made the fans feel better. It was a dream come true for us to collaborate with Sennheiser. We’re looking forward to our next shows.’
