Vienna Art Orchestra Talks About Its Success with AKG Microphones on Tour and in the Studio
(AKG | Posted 2004-01-29)
VIENNA, AUSTRIA—January 12, 2004— Jazz has a long and involved history. One important chapter of it has been written by Mathias Rüegg and his Vienna Art Orchestra (VAO). Founded in 1977, the VAO has been among the most creative formations worldwide for over two decades.
The VAO has certainly found an inimitable way of bridging the gap between the American and European styles of jazz. In the more than 25 years of its existence, this orchestra has crossed those boundaries of style to add another chapter to the history of jazz with each new album.
Mathias Rüegg once said in an interview that jazz has become a unique art form and begins to take a position that it’s evolution is comparable to that of classical music. This is certainly true, and the Vienna Art Orchestra has made important contributions to that development.
We are proud to report that the VAO uses AKG products.
In a field report from the current tour and recording sessions, sound engineer Ronny Matke wrote:
Although I cannot make any predictions about the studio production at this point as Messrs. Rüegg and Peterhans are currently working on the album in the studio, it has definitely been a pleasure to use the mics live.
We used the 414s from the Porgy and Bess for the Saxes, miked the rest of the horn section with C 3000s, and used the SolidTubes for the soloists, We used a C 4000 on kick drum, aimed a C 391 at the hi-hat, and placed an overhead pair of C 3000s above the cymbals. Yet another C 3000 was used with tremendous success on the double bass. For ambience miking, we used three C 414 TLIIs and a C 422.
The biggest surprise in my opinion was the C 5900 that sounded much airier than the Neumann 105 and was easier to handle in terms of feedback susceptibility to boot. I have known the capsules for a very long time (we use WMS 300 systems with C 5900 elements at VSVL) and did not like them very well before, probably because of the radio link. This was the first time I used the hardwired version and I was quite impressed. They are a real alternative to the U 87; after all, I have been looking for good vocal mics for a long time.
In conclusion, the AKG microphone setup has been a great success as expected. Thanks a lot again!!
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About AKG Acoustics
AKG Acoustics is widely recognized as the most innovative manufacturer of microphones, wireless systems and headphones in the world. Since its founding in Vienna, Austria in 1947, the company has been granted over 1500 patents-more than all of its competitors combined. Today, AKG employs over 60 engineers in full-time research and development, providing them with the most advanced tools available for computerized design, testing and performance simulation. AKG Acoustics, U.S. markets the full line of AKG Acoustics microphones and headphones and processing technology for recording, concert, sound reinforcement, commercial sound and broadcast applications.
