Hip-Hop Artist Jay-Z Delivers The Right Beat To Fans With The AKG WMS4500 Wireless Microphone System

28 September, 2009, United States

World-renowned hip-hop artist Jay-Z brings new flavor to his current tour by deploying the AKG WMS4500 wireless microphone system and the AKG C5900 vocal microphone for reliable and accurate audio transmission on stage. Production Manager/FOH Engineer Bryon Tate selected the AKG wireless system for its ability to capture and accurately deliver Jay-Z’s lyrics on stage.

The WMS4500 provides a wide-range of versatility in many areas such as frequency selection and diversity, efficient set-up and delivers outstanding sonic quality. “I find that my show day setups are easily adjusted inside any venue size and complexity, from the small house of blues show to heavily populated frequency areas such as large scale television events,” Tate said.

The wireless microphone system offers improved audio capabilities versatile enough to handle multiple users and multi-channel applications simultaneously. The WMS4500 is available in two new frequency bands: Band 7 and Band 8, providing more options for multi-channel systems. The WMS4500 can be blended into a Harman HiQnet™ system with the optional HUB 4000 Q. With the PC control software System Architect™ the WMS4500 can be configured, controlled and monitored remotely from a PC.

“As FOH engineer, I find that The C5900 produces a natural and smooth vocal sound and keeps its pattern and characteristics in tact no matter the hand hold technique being used,” Tate continued.

“With the 5900 I get a nice top end sound without the wispy 10-12k found in some other top end vocal microphones,” he said. “Another great feature of the C5900 is its superior resistance to handling noise and other stage interferences. The rear rejection on this microphone is very helpful on a stage that is routinely around 110DB. This not only keeps the vocal sound very clean but also allows me to keep it on top of a full mix.”

AKG is a unit of Harman International Industries, Incorporated (www.harman.com).

Harman International designs, manufactures and markets a wide range of audio and infotainment products for the automotive, consumer and professional markets, and maintains a strong presence in the Americas, Europe and Asia, employing more than 11,000 people worldwide. The Harman International family of brands includes AKG®, Audioaccess®, Becker®, BSS®, Crown®, dbx®, DigiTech®, Harman Kardon®, Infinity®, JBL®, Lexicon®, Mark Levinson®, Revel®, QNX®, Soundcraft® and Studer®. Harman International’s stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “NYSE: HAR.”

Harman HiQnet™ is the world's first connectivity and control protocol that integrates all product categories in the signal chain for professional audio systems of all types, size, and applications. Harman HiQnet no longer requires the user to manage multiple disparate operating systems or be responsible for programming individual signal processors, speaker controllers, wireless microphone systems, and mixing consoles. HiQnet was developed by engineers from across the Harman Pro Group and is coordinated by the System Development and Integration Group (SDIG), a team of dedicated systems specialists based in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Photo features Jay-Z live in concert using the AKG WMS4500 wireless with 5900 vocal microphone