These events, honouring the remarkable performances of athletes, were held across Manchester Arena for Team GB and Birmingham Utilita Arena for the Paralympic team.
Filmed for the National Lottery and broadcast on television, the homecoming shows highlighted the incredible talent, resilience, and sporting excellence of Team GB’s Olympic and Paralympic competitors.
Solotech, a global audio and event production, brought its expertise to the Paralympics celebrations. The company’s front of house engineer and head of audio specifically requested Shure for the project, citing the equipment’s ease of use, setup capabilities, and audio quality.
The events required a sophisticated audio solution capable of managing complex technical challenges, and Solotech’s audio team deployed a comprehensive Shure wireless setup that ensured pristine sound and seamless production.
The system featured 40 channels of Shure Axient run via Dante, including AD2’s with SM58 Capsules for presenters and vocalists, Beta 58A Capsules, Nexadyne supercardioid capsules, AD1’s with DPA 4088 Headsets, and 28 Mixes of Shure PSM1000 Series In-Ear Monitors.
Liam Cartwright, Solotech’s head of RF, highlighted the technical sophistication of the Shure system: “The Dante Cue function on the Axient Digital receivers provided remarkable operational flexibility, tactility and low latency,” he explained. “We could preview performers’ transmitters at the side of stage, listening for any audio or tonal issues, which was critically important for delicate headset performances.”
The redundant Dante network enabled seamless distribution into the outside broadcast truck and front of house, allowing operational efficiency.
Solotech found the system’s preproduction capabilities equally handy. Cartwright noted that Wireless Workbench was instrumental in the RF system’s success, utilising the postcode database to identify 8Mhz DTV channels and conducting multiple venue scans. This preparation allowed for precise frequency coordination and transmitter selection.
Notably, the team made extensive use of Shure SE215 in-ear monitors. “The SE215’s were prolific,” Cartwright added. “They offered brilliant sound quality, exceptional build quality, and excellent isolation. At a price point that allows us to bring multiple units, they accommodate a variety of performer needs and ear shapes with the variety of tips.”
Commented Françoise Le Moignan, a sound engineer at Solotech: “Managing the extensive channel count required keeping the Axient in the digital system in the digital domain. By running three DiGiCo Consoles on a single fibre loop, with Axient Digital via Dante, we maintained individual microphone trims and enabled broadcast digital splits seamlessly.
The Shure solution addressed several key production challenges. With extensive video coverage and a thrust with a B stage, rock-solid RF performance was crucial. The digital setup maintained audio quality by minimising analogue conversions and enabled seamless digital splits for television production.
“It was flawless and reliable, and the ease of use made it the ideal choice,” Le Moignan added. “The audio quality, reliability, and sonic quality of the in-ear mixes on the PSM1000 were particularly impressive; we always enjoy working with Shure.”
David Phillips, senior manager of sales at Shure UK, commented: “Our Axient Digital system continues to demonstrate its versatility and reliability in demanding live broadcast environments. We’re proud to have supported Solotech with the Team GB Paralympics Homecoming Shows.”
