IN THE FIELD
IN THE FIELD: SHURE AXIENT DIGITAL Nile Rodgers & CHIC’s FOH Engineer, David Shepherd, speaks to TPi in the midst of a busy festival run to break down the importance of Shure Axient Digital to the disco icon’s live shows…
Fresh off the back of completing three festivals on the bounce, Nile Rodgers & CHIC’s FOH Engineer, David Shepherd spoke to TPi ahead of Meltdown Festival, curated by Rodgers himself, to lift the lid on the “integral role” played by Shure Axient Digital. At its very core, Nile Rodgers & CHIC’s touring rig comprised eight channels of Shure Axient Digital to handle radio mics and Nile Rodgers’ iconic Fender Stratocaster guitar – The Hitmaker – along with the brass section. As well as the four handheld and four beltpacks, the crew used 12 channels of Shure PSM1000 and AXT600 Axient Spectrum Manager to overlook frequency management. Working alongside regular updates of Shure’s Wireless Workbench software, the system gave the crew the flexibility to select from a real-time group of back-up frequencies, should the need to reallocate due to local interference arise. The kit on the rig, part-owned by Shepherd’s company, BCS Audio, also used Shure rechargeable batteries and recharging system. “We’ve worked with Shure for a long time, we’ve probably got about 150 channels of Shure RF, there’s a lot of it,” Shepherd began. With an
unprecedented level of signal stability and audio clarity, plus flexible hardware options, advanced connectivity and comprehensive control, Shepherd coined the Shure Axient Digital as a wireless system built to take on the challenges of global touring. An increased scope from day to day, the AXT600 made it the perfect unit for “scanning with” and “working out frequency coordination”. Shepherd added: “Axient Digital allows us to get more into RF channels, squeeze more units in and gives us a bit more scope when we’re moving around festivals and jobs requiring RF spectrum management.” Having a wider spectrum also meant some of the pressure was relieved from Shepherd’s shoulders. Shure’s Axient Digital has proven itself, time and again, to be a crucial tool in this area for Shepherd. “Obviously, checking around different parts of the world it allows you to tune into different bands without having separate units to do, so it’s ideal,” he said. Monitor Engineer, Marco Dellatorre handled all of the frequency planning and programming the gear on the road. Nile Rodgers is reportedly a fan of the freedom that wireless offers him. “Nile still uses Shure UHF-R, 86
