Sony Pixel Power calrec Sony

Aladdin Finds a Whole New World of Audio Solutions with DPA Microphones

01/05/2014

Aladdin Finds a Whole New World of Audio Solutions with DPA Microphones 01 May 2014

Aladdin is the most recent of Disney 's beloved animated films to come to life on Broadway and DPA Microphones is in a leading role for this musical comedy, engaging audiences with dramatic sound and theatrical adventures. To help make the magical experience come alive, Ken Travis, sound designer for the show, calls on the company's d:screet 4061 Omnidirectional Microphones to close-mic the entire cast, along with a combination of d:dicate 2011C Twin Diaphragm Cardioid and d:vote 4099 Instrument Microphones to amplify the natural sound of the orchestra.

Featuring all of the original Academy Award-winning songs from the hit animated film, as well as new material written especially for the stage production, Aladdin combines elements of magic, adventure and comedy to captivate audiences. For Travis, this means producing a phenomenal sound to bring the cinematic experience to stage in the most vibrant way possible, lending this his desire to create an audio masterpiece that feels like the original film mixed with a classic Broadway musical. Whether costumes had to be designed around the mics or actors were equipped with several mics to account for costume changes, every setup was tested to achieve optimal audio amplification.

This is the most collaborative production at this level that I have ever been involved with, Travis shares. For instance, we were working directly with the costume designers because we don't want any wires to be seen on the cast. One unique thing we created was a prosthetic chin for the Genie, which has a DPA d:screet 4061 inside. While designing the chin, we tried multiple microphones, manufacturers and styles in order to find the perfect sound. The day we switched to the d:screet 4061 everyone said, wow, whatever you guys did to the Genie, that's it!'

Like the Genie, the entire ensemble uses d:screet 4061s, as Travis finds they provide a natural sound, with the benefit of being easily concealable. The mics are also designed to withstand the toughest of conditions, including humidity and sweat, and have a reinforced cable relief built to handle the constant twists, bends and pulls, which is perfect for a production of this magnitude.

Since the show requires as many as 72 costume changes in four minutes, the mics are hidden along the actors' hairline or turban to ensure the fast-paced environment is always perfectly wired for sound, allowing the ensemble to instead focus on their performances rather than mic placement.

Sometimes the cast only has a second to make sure the mic is in the proper placement after a wardrobe change, shares Travis. In those instances, we tell them to try and hit their mark, but just in case, we also built a transmitter for the mics that we hide in the costumes, such as under a jewel in the turbans. There are some cases when cast members are triple-miked because they'll have multiple hat and turban changes. Whether the number requires an actor put on a new turban, which covers the primary mic, or take off a turban to reveal another hat, equipped with a backup mic, we always have a redundant mic just so we don't lose any audio.

While it was crucial to Travis to find the best sound solution for the cast, he knew the orchestra also plays a big role in the Broadway experience. For Aladdin, a song such as A Friend Like Me, which is three minutes long in the movie, is a 10-minute production onstage. When it came time to select the mics to amplify the orchestra, Travis tested every mic available to ensure the sound quality of the instruments matched the vocal abilities of the performers. Again, DPA Microphones was the clear winner.

I'm never happy with the sound of snare drums, so we wanted to try different microphone varieties and pick whichever sounded the best, recalls Travis. Eric [Mayer, president of DPA, Inc.] suggested we try the d:dicate 2011C microphonesM. He felt they were just what we were looking for, so we included one in our blind test and he was right.

After finding the perfect orchestra mic, the audio team needed a setup to match, so they hung two d:dicate 2011C Twin Diaphragm Cardioids from a custom harness above the grand piano and orchestra to create what Travis describes as a very accurate sound. Additionally, they clipped d:vote 4099s to the toms and ethnic drums. From piano, guitar and strings to woodwinds, brass and drums, the d:vote 4099 sounds incredible on every instrument as it amplifies their natural acoustics and removes any unwanted noise. Ideal for the Broadway stage, a single d:vote model can reinforce an entire orchestra.

What we like about this setup is that the piano goes from very legato into the Genie performances that are really rocking, he explains. Those songs were our biggest test for the d:vote 4099s and d:dicate 2011Cs, because we use a lot of snares and ethnic drums, which can get loud. Some mics don't seem to reproduce that type of sound very accurately, but both micsstood up to the challenge. We are really happy with the sound, so we're trying the d:votes on some brass instruments next.

Per Travis' request, Masque Sound supplied a custom audio equipment package, which included the DPA d:screet 4061 mics, to support his creative design for the show, which opened at the New Amsterdam Theatre on March 20. His vision was additionally brought to life by associate sound designer Alex Hawthorn, production audio head Lucas Indelicato and front of house mixer Gabe Wood, who each had a hand in selecting all of the DPA mics.

Travis is no stranger to the theater environment, as he has been providing his audio genius to the Great White Way since 1997. His recent works include Newsies; Jekyll & Hyde; and A Christmas Story, the Musical, both on and off-Broadwa
LINK: http://www.theiabm.org/article.php?group_id=11770...
See more stories from iabm

Most recent headlines

09/11/2025

Dalet Unveils Agentic AI Media Workflows at IBC2025

Dalet today announced a transformative leap forward for media operations: Agentic Artificial Intelligence (AI) that unifies the Dalet ecosystem under one natura...

31/10/2025

IAB Urges Standards for CTV Ad Measurement

NEW YORK The Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB) today released a new industry guide that discusses the urgency of adopting new standards that will help advert...

31/10/2025

Late Night Shows Thrive on Social Media with Billions of Views in 2025

While some analysts have questioned the ongoing economic viability of late night shows on broadcast TV amid ongoing declines in linear viewing, new data from Tu...

31/10/2025

Berklee Celebrates the Inauguration of President Jim Lucchese

Berklee Celebrates the Inauguration of President Jim Lucchese In his inaugural address, Lucchese highlighted Berklee's power to connect, create, and heal ...

31/10/2025

RT is Supporting 29 Arts and Cultural Events across Ireland this November

RT continues its proud tradition of championing Ireland's vibrant arts and cultural landscape through its RT Supporting the Arts initiative. This November...

31/10/2025

RT selects Irish independent production company to produce Christian Worship on RT One and RT Player

RT selects Irish independent production company to produce Christian Worship on...

31/10/2025

Korea Joins AI Industrial Revolution: NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang Unveils Historic Partnership at APEC Summit

Amidst Gyeongju, South Korea's ancient temples and modern skylines, Jensen H...

30/10/2025

SVG Students To Watch: Sam Newitt, Kansas State University

SVG Students To Watch: Sam Newitt, Kansas State UniversityThe South Dakota native thrives in many roles behind the scenes at K-StateHD.TVBy Brandon Costa, Direc...

30/10/2025

SVG Sit-Down: Swerve Sports' Christy Tanner Explores the Young FAST Channel's Early Success

SVG Sit-Down: Swerve Sports' Christy Tanner Explores the Young FAST Channel&...

30/10/2025

SVG Campus Shot Callers: Andy Liebsch, Senior Director, Video Services, Kansas State University

SVG Campus Shot Callers: Andy Liebsch, Senior Director, Video Services, Kansas S...

30/10/2025

Diversified Names Paul Lidsky CEO, Expanding Leadership Role After Serving as Board Chairman

Diversified Names Paul Lidsky CEO, Expanding Leadership Role After Serving as Bo...

30/10/2025

NBA, Cosm Enter Long-Term Partnership for Shared Reality Production, Distribution

NBA, Cosm Enter Long-Term Partnership for Shared Reality Production, Distributio...

30/10/2025

FanDuel Sports Network to Deliver Select Live NBA, NHL Games to Major Streaming Services for In-Market Viewers

FanDuel Sports Network to Deliver Select Live NBA, NHL Games to Major Streaming ...

30/10/2025

If I Had Legs, I'd Kick You, East of Wall, and More Sundance Institute-Supported Films Nominated for 35th Gotham Awards

As the year comes to a close, we can feel the invigorating wind sweeping in for ...

30/10/2025

Give Me the Backstory: Get to Know Max Walker-Silverman, the Writer-Director of Rebuilding

By Bailey Pennick One of the most exciting things about the Sundance Film Festi...

30/10/2025

Excellent training at SGL Carbon's Bonn site

The SGL Carbon site in Bonn has a long tradition of training. For many years, young talent has been successfully trained here, regularly achieving excellent exa...

30/10/2025

SBS, NITV and Screen Australia announce 2025 Digital Originals Shortlist

SBS, NITV and Screen Australia announce 2025 Digital Originals Shortlist 29 October, 2025 Media releases SBS, NITV and Screen Australia are excited to unve...

30/10/2025

Remarks for the 2025 APEC CEO Roundtable

Jon Rambeau, President of Integrated Mission Systems at L3Harris Technologies, speaks about industrial collaboration at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (A...

30/10/2025

L3Harris Technologies Reports Strong Third Quarter 2025 Results, Increases 2025 Guidance

MELBOURNE, Fla., October 30, 2025 - L3Harris Technologies (NYSE: LHX) reports th...

30/10/2025

FCC's Brendan Carr Issues Draft Proposal for More C-Band Spectrum Sales

WASHINGTON Federal Communications Commission Chair Brendan Carr said he has circulated a proposal for the agency to auction additional midband spectrum in the U...

30/10/2025

Diversified Names Paul Lidsky as CEO

PLANO, Texas Technology solutions provider Diversified has named Paul Lidsky as CEO, tasked with guiding the company's next stage of growth, driving market ...

30/10/2025

Interra Adds Stream Recording, BATON Integration to ORION

CUPERTINO, Calif. Interra Systems today unveiled ORION stream recording support and seamless integration with BATON Media Player, a combination that lets broadc...

30/10/2025

InterDigital Buys AI-Driven Video Codec Startup Deep Render

WILMINGTON, Del. InterDigital today announced the acquisition of Deep Render, an artificial intelligence startup with a team of AI experts focused on video code...

30/10/2025

TAG Video Systems Earns Two ESG Recognitions

NEW YORK TAG Video Systems has earned a higher-rated Digital Product Passport (DPP) Committed to Sustainability badge and the Aclymate Climate Wise Silver Tier ...

30/10/2025

Nexstar Extends Employment Agreement with Perry Sook Through 2029

IRVING, Texas As station groups move into an era that promises rapid tech, regulatory and economic changes, the Nexstar Media Group, Inc. has announced that its...

30/10/2025

Samba TV: 60% Of TV Time Spent Viewing Streaming Content

Television viewers are spending more time watching streaming content than linear TV, but sports continues to be a bright spot for broadcasters, according to the...

30/10/2025

Operative Media Names Mike Napadano as CEO

NEW YORK Advertising technology company Operative Media has named Mike Napadano as its new CEO....

30/10/2025

Walmart Selects Marshall Cameras to Power New Campus Broa...

Walmart Inc. has chosen Marshall Electronics cameras for use across its brand-new corporate campus studios and event center. The installation includes Marshall ...

30/10/2025

NETGEAR Academy Expands Into Industry-Wide IP Training Pl...

NETGEAR, Inc. (NASDAQ: NTGR), a global leader in intelligent networking solutions designed to power extraordinary experiences, today announced the launch of its...

30/10/2025

Clear-Com Gen-IC Virtual Intercom Connects Students World...

Clear-Com recently contributed its award-winning Gen-IC virtual intercom solution to power real-time communications for On-Air Student TV, a 24-hour global st...

30/10/2025

Maxon Strengthens Growth Strategy with Appointment of Kse...

Maxon, maker of powerful, approachable software solutions for creators working in 2D and 3D design, motion graphics, visual effects, and more, today announced t...

30/10/2025

Studio Technologies Dante Enabled Model 394 GPI Interface...

Studio Technologies, a leading manufacturer of high-quality audio, video, and fiber-optic solutions, announces that its new Model 394 GPI Interface and Model 39...

30/10/2025

Astro selects Broadpeak for high performance streaming an...

Broadpeak , a leader in streaming and monetization at scale, has been selected by leading Malaysian content and entertainment company Astro to enable two major ...

30/10/2025

Riedel Communications Appoints Ulrich Voigt as Director L...

Riedel Communications is pleased to announce that Ulrich Voigt has joined the company as Director Live Production Solutions, taking over the SimplyLive business...

30/10/2025

LiveU and Kinetiq Launch Cloud Native Watermarking Integr...

LiveU, the global leader in live IP-video contribution, production, and distribution, today announced a new partnership with Kinetiq, the AI-powered platform un...

30/10/2025

FCC Plans Nov. 20 Open Meeting, Provides Shutdown Update

WASHINGTON Federal Communications Commission Chair Brendan Carr has called for an end to the government shutdown while providing some updates on the agency'...

30/10/2025

Carr Issues Draft Proposal for More C-Band Spectrum Sales

WASHINGTON Federal Communications Commission Chair Brendan Carr has announced that he has circulated a proposal for the FCC to auction additional mid-band spect...

30/10/2025

U&GOLD LAUNCHES ITS ANNUAL SEARCH FOR THE UK'S BEST CHRISTMAS CRACKER' JOKES

TIS THE SEASON TO GET PUNNY! U&GOLD LAUNCHES ITS ANNUAL SEARCH FOR THE UK'S...

30/10/2025

Rohde & Schwarz enables MediaTeks 6G waveform verification with CMP180 radio communication tester

Rohde & Schwarz enables MediaTeks 6G waveform verification with CMP180 radio com...

30/10/2025

Fox Corporation Reports First Quarter Fiscal 2026 Financial Results

Fox Corporation Reports First Quarter Fiscal 2026 Financial Results NEW YORK, NY, October 30, 2025 - Fox Corporation (Nasdaq: FOXA, FOX; FOX or the Company...

30/10/2025

Tubi Media Group and Audiochuck Announce Exclusive Partnership

Tubi Media Group and Audiochuck Announce Exclusive Partnership Tubi Media Group Enters into a Multi-Year Ad Partnership Deal with Ashley Flowers' Award-Wi...

30/10/2025

Comscore Appoints a new Country Manager for APAC

Comscore Appoints a new Country Manager for APACNEW DELHI, INDIA, October 30, 2025 Comscore (Nasdaq: SCOR), a global leader in measuring and analysing consum...

30/10/2025

October 29, 2025

Scripps Research professor awarded $3.2 million to advance type 1 diabetes research Support from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Dis...

30/10/2025

RT Concert Orchestra November/December 2025

RT Concert Orchestra in November and December Collaborations with RT Radio 1's Sunday Miscellany (2 December) and RT 2FM's Late Breakfast (9 Decembe...

30/10/2025

MUIREANN O' CONNELL, NEIL DELAMERE AND MICHAEL CONLON JOIN THE LADS FOR THE 2 JOHNNIES LATE NIGHT LOCK IN

Johnny B and Johnny Smacks are back tonight for the second episode of the new se...

30/10/2025

Jon Bon Jovi, Miriam O'Callaghan, Davy Fitzgerald and Donncha O'Callaghan join the Late Late Show Halloween Line-Up

First look of Jon Bon Jovi's interview with Patrick Kielty Jon Bon Jovi is ...

30/10/2025

AI-Powered Mobile Clinics Deliver Breast Cancer Screening to India's Rural Communities

An unassuming van driving around rural India uses powerful AI technology that...

30/10/2025

Join the Resistance: ARC Raiders' Launches in the Cloud

Get ready, raiders - the wait is over. ARC Raiders is dropping onto GeForce NOW and bringing the fight from orbit to the screen. To celebrate the launch, gamer...

29/10/2025

MLS, EDGE Sound Research To Debut Immersive Embodied Sound' at LAFC vs. Austin FC Playoff Match

MLS, EDGE Sound Research To Debut Immersive Embodied Sound' at LAFC vs. Aus...