Scott D Smith serves up DPA 6061 subminiature mics for ‘The Bear’

Production mixer Scott D. Smith used DPA microphones and Wisycom antennas to capture the chaos and intimacy of FX’s hit series The Bear.

The series often required Smith and his crew to manage dozens of inputs at once. For one specific standout wedding sequence, the sound team deployed a setup that included two mixing consoles, 32 microphones and a crew of eight - double the size of most sound departments.

“The biggest challenge was the scene where 16 actors were underneath a table,” explained Smith. “It was nearly impossible to boom, and lavaliers weren’t working because the actors were hunched over and moving around. After a couple of sleepless nights, the only solution was to mount the mics under the table, as they had to be hidden.”

After testing multiple other microphones, Smith decided to use DPA 6061 Subminiature microphones for the scene. “We tested about five different mics before deciding on the 6061,” said Smith. “In the end, not only did the DPAs sound good, but they were also the only brand that could deliver as many as we needed in the timeframe. The consistency between capsules was critical, since the actors were moving from one position under the table to another.”

Durability is also a factor for Smith’s loyalty to DPA. “I’ve been using the brand since it first became available in the US,” said Smith. “The durability of the cables is a big plus, and the consistency in sound across capsules makes a huge difference.”

Smith also used Wisycom antennas to tackle the unique challenges of the restaurant set. “That set is brutal,” explained Smith. “It’s steel everywhere, with only one or two walls that pull out. We even had to drill holes under the floor to run cables. To make it work, we positioned Wisycom ABD2 Wideband Omnidirectional Antennas above the ceiling flats. That setup allowed us to transition seamlessly between the kitchen and the front of house without losing signal.”

Looking back, Smith credits both DPA and Wisycom with enabling his team to rise to the challenges of The Bear. “These products really helped us pull off some of the most complex scenes I’ve ever recorded,” said Smith. “From the durability of DPA’s lavs to the reliability of Wisycom antennas, the solutions gave us the confidence to capture every bit of chaos and nuance that makes The Bear so compelling.”

Cover Image credit: Hulu