Close on the heels of the recent CMA Awards in Nashville, the 2013 MTV European Music Awards (EMAs) gave Sennheiser new Digital 9000 Series microphone system another exacting trial – and its MTV debut.

Held at Amsterdam’s Ziggo Dome only days after the CMA Awards, the EMAs included performances by Eminem, Icona Pop, Katy Perry and Kings of Leon, all of whom used Sennheiser 2000 series in-ear monitors and a combination of Sennheiser 5200 or 2000 series wireless microphone systems, except Kings of Leon who opted for MD 431 wired mics. Two of the biggest challenges for sound designer Derrick Zieba were the amount of RF channels needed and that the presentation podium was at the far end of the Ziggo Dome from the performance stage.

‘With the number of live performances at the EMAs, it is increasingly complex to manage the RF spectrum because of the growing use of wireless mics, IEM systems and guitar packs,’ he says. ‘In addition, we have to supply handheld wireless mics and IEMs for the presenters and winners, so this year we needed well over 100 frequencies. Finding clear, interference-free spectrum with auditorium wide coverage for all is a major task.’

To ensure the security of the wireless signals, as well as maintin their audio quality, Zieba chose the Sennheiser 9000 series for host Redfoo and all the awards presenters and winners. Using SKM 9000 transmitters with ME 9004 cardioid condenser capsules and a pair of AD 9000 active antennas relaying the signals to EM 9046 receivers, complete coverage of the whole arena floor was achieved.

As the event is live to air, reliability was an essential consideration. With the transmitters using BA 60 lithium-ion rechargeable packs, the systems’ accurate reporting of the remaining operating time added to the confidence of the sound team: ‘Being able to use the 9000 series for our presenters and winners provided superb audio performance, a remarkable lack of handling noise and allowed us to pick up unwavering RF signals from the presenter podium,’ Zieba says.

Sennheiser UK’s Mark Saunders and Andrew Lillywhite were also present to offer advice and practical support to Derrick’s RF Supervisor, Sapna Patel.