Racoon selects Spectera for new album, tour, and gear with experience in mind – Sennheiser
Racoon, a notable rock and pop band from the Netherlands, is renowned for their musical passion and commitment to technical excellence. This dedication extends to their audio team, specifically monitor engineer Jelmer Dijkstra and FOH engineer Marty Brugmans. For decades, these two professionals have supported Racoon in their musical ventures, always introducing cutting-edge tools to enhance their craft. With the release of their latest album “It Is What It Is,” Dijkstra and Brugmans decided to incorporate Sennheiser’s Spectera wideband wireless ecosystem into Racoon’s live shows.
The “It Is What It Is” tour took Racoon to notable venues across the Netherlands, from MartiniPlaza to Rotterdam Ahoy, showcasing their musical talent to sold-out crowds. Following a brief summer hiatus, the band launched the second leg of their album tour in August, with plans for a theatre tour in October. The band is composed of Bart van der Weide (vocals, harmonica), Dennis Huige (guitar), Maarten van Damme (bass), Paul Bukkens (drums), and Manu van Os (keys), all long-time users of Sennheiser equipment. However, the spring tour for the latest album marked a momentous occasion as Racoon integrated the Spectera wideband ecosystem for in-ear monitoring.
Both Dijkstra and Brugmans have been instrumental in Racoon’s musical journey since 2012 and 2009, respectively. With a shared passion for music and sound, the two engineers have always strived to elevate every performance. Their encounter with Spectera during technical rehearsals left a lasting impact on the band and themselves. Dijkstra was in awe of the system’s open and precise sound quality, noting the distinct left-to-right separation and immersive ambiance it provided. Meanwhile, Brugmans emphasized the positive reactions of critical band members, particularly drummer Paul Bukkens and multi-instrumentalist Manu van Os, who were thrilled with Spectera’s performance.
The decision to adopt Spectera for the tour was solidified after overwhelming positive feedback during rehearsals. Flowsound, a specialist in pro AV gear rentals and sales, played a crucial role in ensuring Racoon had access to Spectera for the entire spring tour. Dijkstra utilized Spectera not only for the band but also for stage technicians and various crew members. Instruments like saxophones and trumpets were outfitted with bidirectional Spectera systems, enabling in-ear monitoring and instrument audio transmission seamlessly.
Brugmans meticulously set up the audio setup for Racoon, leveraging Sennheiser microphones like the e 901, e 908B, e 904, alongside Neumann mics for drums and other instruments. Vocal microphones from the e 935, e 945, and e 965 series were used to capture the band’s dynamic vocals. Talkback functionality was enabled through the evolution e 835 PTT microphone, a recent addition to Sennheiser’s lineup.
In contrast to traditional analog in-ear systems, Spectera offers unparalleled clarity and versatility in audio mixing. Dijkstra highlighted the system’s ability to create a precise mix where every element has its distinct place, avoiding the muddy sound often associated with older systems. The integration of Spectera into Racoon’s live shows has revolutionized their on-stage experience, bringing a whole new level of sonic excellence and enjoyment to both the band and the audience.