Gearhouse hits note for Britain’s Got Talent

Gearhouse Broadcast has provided the radio microphones, in-ear monitors (IEMs) and on-site technical support for the eighth successive series of ITV’s primetime television talent show, Britain’s Got Talent. Working with the show’s sound director, Robert Edwards, Gearhouse delivered simultaneous audio coverage within the studio and on the outside set to enable the production team to track contestants, judges and presenters throughout.

The Sennheiser audio workflow included the Digital 9000 system, which made its Britain’s Got Talent debut having already been employed by Gearhouse Broadcast on the X Factor late last year. The 9000 system uses uncompressed digital audio transmission for error-free sound with true dynamics, and enables Edwards and his team to encrypt the transmitters.

In addition, there were ten SKM 5200 wireless mics, 24 SK5212 handlheld transmitters for the contestants, 16 EM 3732 dual receiver systems and four SR 2000 IEM monitoring systems.

The system Gearhouse provided for Britain’s Got Talent also accommodates ITV2’s companion show, Britain’s Got More Talent, in which a further 11 SK5212’s were used, along with seven SKM 5200’s and one SR 2000 IEM transmitter. The wireless mics fed to a single bespoke antenna combiner, which combined all 60 individual frequencies to one modulated signal that was then distributed to the individual receiver racks.

“Audio plays such a big part in Britain’s Got Talent, so it’s vital that I work with professionals that I know can not only deliver what I need, but also fit into a tight-knit and well drilled team of trusted suppliers,” said sound director Robert Edwards. “I know that I can rely on Gearhouse to supply the best equipment for the job and be on-hand with support, if and when I need it.”

Gearhouse Broadcast audio engineer, Quay Luu, said: “On Britain’s Got Talent, every show is different. Each act presents its own unique challenge and star guests are also scheduled to appear, so it’s vital that our audio set-up is flexible and robust enough to ensure that the production team can broadcast anything that is happening in and around the studio complex. We work closely with Robert Edwards and his team to ensure the show goes to plan, and liaise with fellow audio supplier Delta Sound on the RF spectrum allocation to make sure it follows the frequency plan we all design before every series.”