Hip-Hop Pioneer Kanye West Incorporates AKG Wireless Systems Into “Glow In The Dark” World Tour

19 January, 2009

Demonstrating the versatility and performance of AKG wireless technologies, the WMS 4000 wireless system and the IVM 4 in ear monitoring system were recently deployed on Kanye West's most recent world tour that visited 40 cities and six continents. The critically acclaimed "Glow In The Dark" tour featured performances by renowned artists Lupe Fiasco, Rihanna, N.E.R.D, and Nas. The yearlong tour began in Seattle and continued throughout Latin America, Asia, Europe, New Zealand and Australia.

"Since we would be touring the globe for a year, we needed wireless systems that were durable and reliable and we are confident that AKG products would provide us with everything we needed for the "Glow in the Dark" tour," said Darcy Khan, Touring Account Executive For Stage Audio Productions Inc. "After spending some time searching for clean frequencies, HPF, and EQ's for the belt packs, I was able to save all of the presets on my laptop into separate folders specifically assigned to each city where we would be performing. This feature was a tremendous time saver on the road as it allows me to easily access the file and have all of the saved settings at my fingertips."

The WMS 4000 wireless system offers users with countless features including an advanced backlit display on the transmitters and the receiver, remaining battery life readout, silent mode, pilot tone status data transmission, environment scan and rehearsal functions, and auto setup frequency search. The WMS 4000 can be integrated into a Harman HiQnet™ system with the optional HUB 4000 Q. With the PC control software System Architect™ the WMS 4000 can be remotely controlled and monitored from a PC. The setup and configuration of the frequency management of the entire wireless system is incredibly easy within System Architect with tools like RF Monitor, Device Manager, Environment Scan and Auto Setup.

The IVM 4 system enables technicians to connect 16 IEMs to one antenna creating a clean tech area that is conducive for a high profile show like the Glow In The Dark Tour. Clean frequencies can be searched within the system for the 16 IEMs and 4 HUB wireless 4000 Q units with the HiQnet feature as well.

"Among the countless features of the IVM 4 is the rechargeable battery for the in-ear monitoring system," Kahn continues. "The rechargeable batteries are a great asset for a year-long tour as I never had to buy or change a battery. I never had to worry about a power failure as the system simply requires you to drop the belt packs and the handhelds into the re-charger, which fully charges them within one hour."