A.S.
18-10-2008, 09:43 AM
The X Factor (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_X_Factor_%28UK%29#Live_shows) has one of the biggest viewing audiences in the UK. Produced by record company executives, Sony BMG records have first choice to offer contracts to all who make it through to the TV finals. Around 200,000 people apply as contestants. This is a 'big bucks' programme, a shopping window for the record companies.
X Factor is truly live - direct from the studio to the transmitter and is watched by about one third of the UK population! It is also shown around the world on satellite channels. The programme gives young talent an opportunity to compete to win a recording contract and after several series has become something of a national institution with its wide range of music - mainly pop/soul/ballads.
I'm really pleased to announce that starting last week, from the first live programme in the current series, X Factor (http://xfactor.itv.com/videos/video-detail/item_200304.htm) is mixed, balanced and transmitted on Harbeth Monitor 40.1s, M30 centre and M20s rear and is mixed in 5.1 surround sound. Next door to the sound control room in the vision gallery where the Director switches the picture we see between cameras, he is listening on Monitor 30s.
The story of how they came to select the Harbeth monitors after auditioning and rejecting all the big well known brands is very interesting. The sound people at Fountain TV (who make X Factor) wanted monitor speakers that were in the BBC sound tradition, that is, warm, good stereo, totally fatigue free, easy to work with, and 100% natural. They knew exactly what they wanted and were not prepared to compromise, and purchase decision to go with Harbeth was made solely on the basis of listening, extremely unusual these days. We were the last company invited in, and won the contract.
This video (http://xfactor.itv.com/videos/video-detail/item_200333.htm) gives you an idea of the size of the studio. About 60-100 microphones are in use at any one time, controlled by the Sound Supervisor and his Monitor 40.1/M30/M20z. From his mixing desk direct to air - live. Behind the scenes Interview with the sound engineers here (http://www.harbeth.co.uk/uk/index.php?section=products&page=harbethinthestudio).
If you have a chance to listen to X Factor the sound is extremely good - warm, rich and smooth; perfectly balanced between the performers, the judges and the unusually natural sound of the excited audience. Doubly so because what you hear is live. Remember: the last person to hear the sound before it reaches your ears was mixing and balancing that sound on Harbeth 5.1 system. Proof that whatever type of music, the Harbeth sound is the answer. Keep listening!
X Factor is truly live - direct from the studio to the transmitter and is watched by about one third of the UK population! It is also shown around the world on satellite channels. The programme gives young talent an opportunity to compete to win a recording contract and after several series has become something of a national institution with its wide range of music - mainly pop/soul/ballads.
I'm really pleased to announce that starting last week, from the first live programme in the current series, X Factor (http://xfactor.itv.com/videos/video-detail/item_200304.htm) is mixed, balanced and transmitted on Harbeth Monitor 40.1s, M30 centre and M20s rear and is mixed in 5.1 surround sound. Next door to the sound control room in the vision gallery where the Director switches the picture we see between cameras, he is listening on Monitor 30s.
The story of how they came to select the Harbeth monitors after auditioning and rejecting all the big well known brands is very interesting. The sound people at Fountain TV (who make X Factor) wanted monitor speakers that were in the BBC sound tradition, that is, warm, good stereo, totally fatigue free, easy to work with, and 100% natural. They knew exactly what they wanted and were not prepared to compromise, and purchase decision to go with Harbeth was made solely on the basis of listening, extremely unusual these days. We were the last company invited in, and won the contract.
This video (http://xfactor.itv.com/videos/video-detail/item_200333.htm) gives you an idea of the size of the studio. About 60-100 microphones are in use at any one time, controlled by the Sound Supervisor and his Monitor 40.1/M30/M20z. From his mixing desk direct to air - live. Behind the scenes Interview with the sound engineers here (http://www.harbeth.co.uk/uk/index.php?section=products&page=harbethinthestudio).
If you have a chance to listen to X Factor the sound is extremely good - warm, rich and smooth; perfectly balanced between the performers, the judges and the unusually natural sound of the excited audience. Doubly so because what you hear is live. Remember: the last person to hear the sound before it reaches your ears was mixing and balancing that sound on Harbeth 5.1 system. Proof that whatever type of music, the Harbeth sound is the answer. Keep listening!