
With two decades of experience in filmmaking, Sound Recordist and Natural History Sound Specialist Ellie Williams brings a host of location experience and training, along with a good deal of passion, to every shoot. Williams' work has taken her to six of the world's continents for projects with the BBC, Netflix, Apple, National Geographic, Disney, Amazon, PBS and HBO, as well as the White House.
A longtime DPA Microphones user, Williams has deployed the brand's 6060 CORE Subminiature Lavaliers for a multitude of unconventional outdoor applications. From recording sounds of nature and wildlife, to interviews with substantial figures, Williams utilizes the microphones for creative and authentic sound capture. The DPA 6060 microphones are absolutely brilliant; I adore them, she says. The warmth and depth they give off is unbeatable. I won't use any other lavalier mics.
Williams has also found that the DPA 6060s ensure that she can subtly get microphones right into the heart of the action, while still capturing pristine audio in less conventional film settings. This includes her work on the Apple TV documentary Earthsounds, for which she was tasked with capturing the sounds of elephant seals in their natural habitat.
We noticed that the seals were not fond of the boom mics, so I neatly tucked a wireless transmitter and 6060 into a pouch and bongo-tied it onto a piece of driftwood, then gently slid that right under the seals' noses, she explains. It was the perfect way to record without bothering the animals. Not imposing on the wildlife while we film is really important to me. The fact that I could get a small microphone of DPA quality in there, and capture very lovely recordings without intruding their space, was amazing. The mic picked up all the detail of breaths snorts and bellows while I was recording happily up in the dunes; it was magic.
Williams also recently deployed the DPA 6060 lavaliers to record in the Amazon Rainforest. I was hoisted up to the level of the tree canopy and had to record myself talking for the behind-the-scenes part of the program, so I stuck a DPA mic in my helmet, she says. I couldn't monitor the sound as it was too distracting, so we had to get the recording right on the first take. For me, the confidence that DPA provides meant that once the mic was setup, I didn't have to worry about my audio; it worked great.
Durability also plays a huge role in Williams' choice of microphones for these applications. Compared to other mics I've used in the past, DPA mics are extremely robust; they have such craftsmanship, she adds. Much of my work takes place in remote spots with exposure to the elements, so having something reliable, that can survive those conditions is a must.
In addition to wildlife recordings, Williams often relies on her DPA 6060s for interviews with high-profile figures and government representatives. Included among these are legendary UK broadcaster and natural historian Sir David Attenborough, His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales, former U.S. President Joe Biden and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden, and Swedish Climate Activist Greta Thunberg. There's no way I would use anything but DPA lavaliers on all these famous people, she says. I'm always amazed by how well the 6060 stands up against a good boom mic; the quality of sound is incredible. The lavaliers are so small that you can easily hide them in plain sight, which helps reduce clothing rustle, and the wires are wonderfully soft and durable.
Williams adds that DPA has provided the opportunity to share her incredible encounters with others. I'm so lucky to get the chance to have these very interesting, intimate experiences and, in doing so, gain a new perspective on the natural world. The ability to accurately record these moments and share them with others is what makes it all worth it. The mics are so versatile; I'm never phased by having to record something niche and new with them in my sound kit. I carry my 6060s wherever I go recording in the world - they are literally always with me.
Most recent headlines
19/03/2025
WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. SMPTE, the home of media professionals, technologists, and engineers, today unveiled the educational presentations that will be shown at this...
19/03/2025
Six new sound stages will be built at The Gillette Factory in Hounslow
By Matthew Corrigan
Published: March 19, 2025
Six new sound stages will be built at...
19/03/2025
Mediagenix, a global leader in smart content solutions to profitably connect the right content to the right audience, today announced the integration of Spideo&...
19/03/2025
Net Insight is taking a major step forward in enhancing its internet media transport solutions by partnering with NETINT Technologies to integrate their cutting...
19/03/2025
Bitmovin, a leading provider of video streaming solutions, has announced its Multiview has been optimized to support low-latency streaming and advertisements. B...
19/03/2025
ELEMENTS will be presenting an extensive line-up of technological advancements as part of this year's NAB Show, including BLINK with fast, flexible and secu...
19/03/2025
Annual General Meeting is scheduled for 3 April 2025
Board of Director Nominees Ellen Lord and John Shaw to provide critical expertise and U.S. perspective
...
19/03/2025
NEW YORK Despite the boost provided by massive viewing of the Super Bowl on Feb. 9, a new report from Nielsen's The Gauge shows that streaming increased its...
19/03/2025
LOS ANGELES Cine Gear Expo has announced that the filmmaking exposition has chosen the world-renowned Universal Studios Lot for the location of Cine Gear Expo L...
19/03/2025
Tax Incentives Won't Solve Hollywood's Problems
Andy Marken March 18, 2025
0 Comments
Taking the wrong boy was a lucky break. In other words,...
19/03/2025
Watch Berklee Valencia Alum Wow the American Idol Judges with an Otis Redding So...
19/03/2025
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Under an agreement signed by Thales and Naval Gr...
19/03/2025
We're thrilled to invite you to follow us on Instagram, where we'll be posting exclusive content, behind-the-scenes peeks, special promotions, and so mu...
18/03/2025
Seamlessly Bridge SDI and IP with On-Ramp from Utah Scientific Transitioning to IP doesn't have to be a daunting, expensive overhaul. Utah Scientific is pro...
18/03/2025
Looking for inspiration this Women's History Month? Discover the stories of trailblazing women with audiobooks on Spotify. Our Women's History Month aud...
18/03/2025
From morning commutes to late-night listening sessions, Spotify is the essential daily companion for millions of listeners globally. Podcasts, in particular, ha...
18/03/2025
During February, audiences in Mexico slightly increased their streaming usage by 0.6 points compared to the previous month, accounting for 22.3% of TV viewing.
...
18/03/2025
February is the time of winter holidays, during which Poles often organize trips, which was reflected in less time spent in front of TV screens: on average 5 mi...
18/03/2025
Sunday, Feb. 9 becomes the second most-watched day of TV in Gauge history with o...
18/03/2025
NEW YORK The Broadcasters Foundation of America (BFOA) has elected Kristin Cantrell, Owner/CEO, Seven Mountains Media and CapCity Communications, Kate Riley, Pr...
18/03/2025
NEW YORK NBCU's streaming service Peacock continues to ramp up its sports offering with the launch of in-market streaming of four NBC Sports Regional Networ...
18/03/2025
WASHINGTON Federal Communications Commission commissioner Geoffrey Starks has issued a statement saying he plans to resign from the regulatory agency this spri...
18/03/2025
Miri Technologies to Make NAB Show Debut with X510 Dual-Cellular Bonding Router
Brie Clayton March 18, 2025
0 Comments
Innovative, purpose-built hardw...
18/03/2025
Blackmagic Design Powers League of Legends and Valiant Grand Finals
Brie Clayton March 18, 2025
0 Comments
Mira! Broadcast enhances esports storytelli...
18/03/2025
Grass Valley Unveils New Solutions for End-to-End Media Production at NAB Show 2...
18/03/2025
Appear Launches the X5: Redefining Scalable Live Production at NAB Show 2025
Brie Clayton March 18, 2025
0 Comments
At NAB Show 2025 , Appear, the glo...
18/03/2025
Peakto 2.3: Keep All Your Photos and Videos Stored Locally-Yet Accessible Everyw...
18/03/2025
According to the company, the AtomTwos colour reproduction, global shutter and wide colour gamut make it simple to match to box cameras in major productions
By...
18/03/2025
Meghna Londhe, deputy head, customer delivery at Magnifi, tells TVBEurope how a fascination of the unknown led to a career in media technology
By Matthew Corri...
18/03/2025
Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, today announced that Dalet Flex, Dalet Pyramid and Dalet AmberFin are available i...
18/03/2025
Telestream, a global leader in media workflow technologies, introduced key innovations and additions to its flagship Vantage platform. The breadth and depth of ...
18/03/2025
Pebble, the leading automation, content management and integrated channel specialist, has completed the development and implementation of the playout functional...
18/03/2025
Synamedia, a leading provider of video software solutions, today announced the launch of Quortex Switch, a next-generation SaaS-based multi-CDN management tool ...
18/03/2025
In a significant step towards planning first commercial service across the European continent, the 5G Broadcast Strategic Task Force (5BSTF) comprising Media ...
18/03/2025
At NAB 2025 (#W2601), LTN will unveil live sports, channel distribution, and real-time content versioning technologies designed to drive revenue for sports leag...
18/03/2025
Mo-Sys Engineering, a leader in virtual production (VP), tracking and broadcast robotics, will be exhibiting at NAB Show demonstrating its latest innovations fo...
18/03/2025
MwareTV, a leading cloud-based multi-tenant platform provider, is bringing its new Lightning 3.0 integration to the broadcast market for the first time at NAB20...
18/03/2025
Mark Roberts Motion Control (MRMC), a Nikon company, is set to showcase its latest advancements in robotic camera technology and virtual production integration ...
18/03/2025
At NAB Show 2025 (Las Vegas, April 5 9, Booth: W2042), Appear, the global leader in live production technology, is unveiling the X5, a powerful and cost-efficie...
18/03/2025
New HVS-Q12 Represents a Quantum Leap in Switcher Design
In keeping with the company's theme Connecting the present, building the future, FOR-A will intr...
18/03/2025
Peres Academy, a pioneer in advanced learning techniques, has chosen a DHD SX2 audio mixer as the centrepiece of a new audio and video media production facility...
18/03/2025
Dream Chip Technologies, a world leader in miniature and point-of-view cameras, is launching its latest innovation, the AtomTwo camera, at NAB2025 (booth N1807,...
18/03/2025
LONDON and NEW YORK The sports streaming and entertainment platform DAZN has announced a global deal with LIV Golf that will give it free-to-view rights in more...
18/03/2025
CYPRESS, Calif. FOR-A will in introduce its top-of-the-line HANABI Series switcher for broadcast control rooms and live event production during the 2025 NAB Sho...
18/03/2025
manifold technologies GmbH, provider of service-oriented software solutions for Tier 1 live productions, has revealed plans to introduce several features to its...
18/03/2025
Shotoku Broadcast Systems to Bring Best of All Worlds Solutions to NAB with Intr...
18/03/2025
Mediaproxy Unveils Groundbreaking Solutions at NAB Show 2025
Brie Clayton March 17, 2025
0 Comments
New innovative tools offer cost-cutting options fo...
18/03/2025
SGO launches AI-powered deinterlacing, ACES 2.0 and Topaz Labs integration in Mi...
18/03/2025
The quick-service restaurant industry is a marvel of modern logistics, where spe...