DPA delivers freedom, clarity and punch for Ivan Rutherford in HK
Published: ASIA
HONG KONG: During a recent one-off Broadway performance in Hong Kong, actor and singer Ivan Rutherford was looking for a microphone that could deliver exceptional sound quality and clarity through a large sound system while maintaining on-stage freedom of movement. A first time user of DPA microphones, they have reportedly given him the confidence required for a one-man performance.
Mr Rutherford is well known for his portrayal of Jean Valjean in Les Miserables, which has performed on Broadway over 2,000 times. His Hong Kong performance, entitled A Taste of Broadway, took place at the Academic Community Hall in the HK Baptist University campus.
DPA’s d:facto vocal microphone was used by Mr Rutherford, paired with a Sennheiser wireless system that allowed him to move freely around the stage.
‘I had never used a DPA microphone before and I was very pleased with the experience,’ Mr Rutherford commented. ‘I was impressed with the intensity of the sound and the mobility it allowed onstage, which gave me great freedom to make unobstructed connections with my audience. I also enjoyed the feel and weight of the microphone in my hand, and found that it helped give me the necessary confidence for a one-man performance. I would very much enjoy working with a DPA mic again.’
Ken Kimura, DPA’s APAC general manager, and Ricky Wan, from DPA's HK distributor Digital Media Technology, were on hand to ensure the optimal microphone setup.
‘The d:facto vocal microphone in a wireless configuration was a perfect match for Ivan Rutherford as it enabled him to move freely, while capturing every nuance of his voice,’ Mr Kimura said. ‘When you have a two hour show that only consists of a singer and grand piano, you really need that artist to be super talented and to have a great voice. Ivan Rutherford had both of these attributes in abundance and gave a fantastic performance.’
The grand piano was also miked up with DPA equipment, as was explained by Clarence Chang from Jazz World Live series, who organised the event. ‘The only instrument on stage was a grand piano, which was also miked with DPA – a matched pair of d:dicate 4011A cardioid microphones in an A-B configuration to capture the main piano signal, and d:vote 4099 instrument microphones in a stereo piano kit configuration to provide additional percussive effect from the hammers. This proved to be a very successful formula because the piano sounded fantastic – really crisp and lively, yet with all the body and warmth one would expect from a top of the range instrument.’