Welsh National Opera has put on powerful performances for audiences across South Wales for the past 75 years. The historic organization performs a range of shows from smaller productions to those with hundreds of people, some of which require additional audio equipment. The opera house brought on Sound Designer Sebastian Frost to help with the audio on various productions, such as Kiss Me Kate, Migrations and most recently, Candide.
To showcase the orchestra, which was on stage behind the performers during the production of Candide, Frost knew he needed microphones that would provide a consistent, clean sound. The sound designer chose to close mic all the high strings using DPA Microphones' 4099 Instrument Microphone and put the rest of the orchestra on the 2012 Compact Cardioid Microphone. He also used a 4055 Kick Drum Microphone for the show. For the theater's production of Migrations last year, Frost deployed DPA's 2011 Twin Diaphragm Cardioid and 4011 Cardioid Condenser Microphones.
The microphones provide an enormous level of conformity and smoothness in terms of sound, says Frost. They make it much quicker and easier, especially with an opera schedule that has no previews and very few dress rehearsals. By using one brand across the board, you know how the mics are going to respond and react. Plus, it helps keep everything in the same sound space to get an even, smooth coverage of the orchestra, which is ideal.
The durability of the microphones has proven to be an important feature for Frost. DPA microphones are incredibly reliable. I think that is a big reason why I continually specify DPA, he explains. I have been using DPA Microphones for a very long time; I know the mics are always going to do the job. It is second nature for me at this point to know which microphone to use in each environment and situation.
For Welsh National Opera's production of Candide, Frost explained his choice to use DPA's instrument and cardioid mics. I love the coverage patterns, they're even and controlled, he shares. The frequency response of the 2012s allows me to use the same microphone throughout the orchestra, and the 4099s are absolutely the standard for close miking. I would not choose any other brand.
No matter the production, Frost says he will continue to use DPA Microphones. I tend to send a lot of fallback down to the orchestra, and the DPA microphones respond beautifully well because of their tight coverage patterns, he says. Using only DPA also makes for a much better performance and provides a really great experience that audiences love.
Frost trained at the Guildhall School of Music Drama before setting out as a sound designer for both corporate and theater companies, including West End and Broadway. Prior to joining Welsh National Opera, Frost was involved in immersive shows at Secret Cinema in London and served as the sound designer for 20 years with the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, an annual series of musical performances by the British armed forces. He has designed the sound for hundreds of productions and shows no signs of stopping.
Welsh National Opera has been bringing the power, drama and raw emotion of opera to audiences since it was first founded in 1943. With a strong history and roots in the communities of South Wales, the organization aims to entertain and inspire audiences while putting on a transformative experience for those watching. Welsh National Opera's 2023-2024 season includes powerful shows like Ainadamar, La traviata and Cos fan tutte.
Most recent headlines
05/01/2027
Worlds first 802.15.4ab-UWB chip verified by Calterah and Rohde & Schwarz to be ...
06/09/2026
June 9 2026, 23:00 (PDT) Dolby and MagentaTV Bring Fans Closer to the FIFA Worl...
04/08/2026
Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, t...
04/07/2026
April 7 2026, 19:00 (PDT) Detective Conan: Fallen Angel of the Highway Opens in...
01/07/2026
Broadcast Management Group (BMG) has announced the appointment of Kathy Samuels ...
01/07/2026
Shade has announced Custom Objects and Automations, a platform expansion releasing June 29, 2026, that adds database and workflow automation capabilities direct...
01/07/2026
FOR-A America has announced the addition of Jaz Wray and Fernando Cruz to its U.S. sales team. Both report to Ernie Leon, Senior VP and Head of Sales and Strate...
01/07/2026
NBC Sports will air all 15 MLB games nationally on Sunday, July 5, across NBC, P...
01/07/2026
Clear-Com has announced a wireless communications upgrade for Jeopardy! and Wheel of Fortune, deploying FreeSpeak II and FreeSpeak Icon systems across both prod...
01/07/2026
England's performance team will use Sony's STATSports APEX GPS tracking system to monitor player physical data in real time during FIFA World Cup 2026 m...
01/07/2026
Adder Technology has announced the appointment of Neil Hillier as Chief Executive Officer, effective July 1, 2026. Hillier succeeds Adrian Dickens, who transiti...
01/07/2026
Bitcentral, Inc. has announced a strategic transaction creating two separate companies. The Production and Playout business will continue as Bitcentral, now own...
01/07/2026
DAZN has announced results from DAZN48, its creator initiative for the FIFA World Cup 2026. Launched in April 2026, the program received thousands of applicatio...
01/07/2026
Sarah Rose, VP, global services, Daktronics (NASDAQ: DAKT), will be inducted into the Information Display and Entertainment Association (IDEA) Hall of Fame at t...
01/07/2026
Gravity Media and the World Economic Forum's production team provided broadc...
01/07/2026
Insight Productions has announced the launch of Insight Storm, a 53-foot mobile broadcast unit built for esports production. The truck is built around a Ross Vi...
01/07/2026
ESPN has announced several content initiatives marking America's 250th anniversary, as part of The Walt Disney Company's Disney Celebrates America pro...
01/07/2026
Eleven production kits, REMI workflows, and cloud distribution bring 40 World Cu...
01/07/2026
The conference also discussed the opportunities offered an industry that is endu...
01/07/2026
The Mountain West Conference has announced the launch of MW , a direct-to-consumer streaming platform powered by Kiswe. The platform will carry live Mountain We...
01/07/2026
New AI Assistant, Multi-channel Audio, ARA2 improvements & more
Tracktion's DAW software has just received its latest major update, gaining a selection ...
01/07/2026
Stammering, stuttering, strangulated tones
The Crow Hill Company's latest creation promises to be the most original sound set they've produced to d...
01/07/2026
Exclusive run of limited-edition modelling pedals
Sweetwater and Andertons M...
01/07/2026
The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) is pleased to announce that the ca...
01/07/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
01/07/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
01/07/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
01/07/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
01/07/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
01/07/2026
Manfrotto Introduces UNCOVER, the new premium camera bag collection for modern h...
01/07/2026
Blackmagic Design Powers Houston Tamil Sangam Literacy Competition
Brie Clayton July 1, 2026
0 Comments
Volunteers use ATEM Mini Pro, Blackmagic Desig...
01/07/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
01/07/2026
PlayBox Technology has published State of Broadcast Infrastructure 2026, an in-depth industry research report examining the technologies, operational challenges...
01/07/2026
LONDON, UK, 1 JULY Jigsaw24 has appointed Alan Henry as Head of Sales for Media and Entertainment, reinforcing its continued investment in helping broadcaster...
01/07/2026
Content Vault, the patent-pending secure content distribution platform protecting high-value media from disclosures, theft and unauthorised access, today announ...
01/07/2026
Bitcentral, Inc. a leading provider of enterprise software and digital media solutions for news, sports and entertainment broadcasters, as well as streaming pla...
01/07/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
01/07/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
01/07/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
01/07/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
01/07/2026
Groundbreaking First Nations Screen Business Accelerator launched through nation...
01/07/2026
Chyron Launches the All-New Chyron Academy: A Reimagined, Hands-On Learning Expe...
01/07/2026
Amplium Captures Kawasaki Brave Thunders Game with Blackmagic URSA Cine Immersiv...
01/07/2026
Boris FX Optics Expands Plugin Support to Apple Photos, Capture One, and Affinit...
01/07/2026
UKTV has today announced the appointment of Matt Berry to the newly created role of General Manager - Marketing, effective 1 July.
Matt will take on this senio...
01/07/2026
Sky Zero Footprint Fund-backed TV campaign featuring Deborah Meaden challenges consumers to rethink everyday bathroom wasteWednesday 1 July 2026
Fussy asks Bri...
01/07/2026
Constituency-level analysis reveals where girls miss out most on sport - and where targeted action could unlock more than £640 million in economic and health be...
01/07/2026
Wuppertal July 1, 2026
Riedel and SKAARHOJ Expand Collaboration With SimplyLive IntegrationRiedel Communications today announced an expanded collaboration wit...
01/07/2026
Apple today introduced power-packed updates to Apple Creator Studio, a groundbre...
Welsh National Opera has put on powerful performances for audiences across South Wales for the past 75 years. The historic organization performs a range of shows from smaller productions to those with hundreds of people, some of which require additional audio equipment. The opera house brought on Sound Designer Sebastian Frost to help with the audio on various productions, such as Kiss Me Kate, Migrations and most recently, Candide.
