VME Choose Waterproof AKG Mics For Rugby Referees

Harman Pro UK, distributor for AKG microphones in the UK and Ireland, recently supplied British broadcast equipment provider and rental company VME with 20 AKG C 77 WR lavalier (lapel) microphones for use in their work for television sports broadcasters. VME provide equipment and comms systems for Sky Sports and BBC TV coverage of many major Rugby tournaments, including the Rugby Union Heineken Cup, Six Nations Championship, and Guinness Premiership, as well as major Rugby League games, and have always equipped the pitch officials with lapel mics so that they can communicate with each other, the television commentary team, and, in the case of the referee, so that he can add live on-air comments on the action where required. However, Rugby matches in the British Isles can take place in pretty challenging climatic conditions, and the sweat generated by the linesmen as they run around the pitch can also be a problem for lapel mics. When VME approached Harman Pro UK, their previous stock of microphones was well past its best.

The CK 77 WR is a dual-diaphragm, wireless-compatible omnidirectional lapel mic with a water-resistant head widely used by broadcasters in situations where moisture, either from the wearer or the local weather, can be a problem. The 20 new CK 77 WRs debuted on Sky's coverage of the historic Rugby League Gillette Fusion Test Series in October and November, in which England's Lions beat New Zealand's Kiwis for the first time in nearly 15 years, and proved to be a Test Series for the new mics in more ways than one. VME Director Dion Davie explains: "We needed something reliable and waterproof, and the CK 77s fitted the bill. It's also a bonus that if the capsules 'sweat out' on us, the CK 77 heads are detachable, so we can easily replace them, although we haven't had any do that to us yet. During the third and final match of the Test Series where we used the mics for the first time, we had rain like we’ve never seen before, which proved that waterproof mics were the way forward! Most importantly, the CK 77s performed really well then, and ever since."

VME’s CK 77 WRs have since seen action at Rugby Union Heineken Cup and Guinness Premiership matches. They will also be used on the BBC's coverage of the Six Nations Championship in February and March this year.