‘MTV VMAs’ Rely On Shure Microphones & Wireless

Broadcast on CBS and streamed on Paramount+, this year’s MTV Video Music Awards set a record for the most viewed and engaged VMAs in history. A team of audio engineering professionals from Firehouse Productions used Shure wireless audio technology to ensure the evening’s production was as iconic as the artists performing.

The audio production team comprised Audio Coordinator Mark Dittmar, Broadcast Production Mixer Sean Prickett, Music Mixers Eric Schilling and John Harris, RF Coordinator Cameron Stuckey, FOH Mixers Dan Gerhard, Adam Armstrong, Simon Welch and Mike Bové, and Monitor Mixers Chris Prinzivalli, Brett Taylor and Tom Pesa. Firehouse Productions provided the event’s equipment. The team deployed 56 channels of the Shure Axient Digital Wireless Microphone System and 52 channels of the Shure PSM 1000 In-Ear Personal Monitoring System, including 110 P10R receivers.

“Even with the huge differences in artists and their performances, the Axient Digital system, coupled with ultra-reliable Shure capsules, made every vocal performance predictable and rock solid,” said John Harris, music mixer. “From Busta Rhymes’ hip-hop to Alex Warren’s massive pop vocals, and from reggaeton with J Balvin to country rock with Bailey Zimmerman, I always had the control and sound that I needed.”

“Shure wireless provides us with the seamless technology to execute a large show like this, and of course, the sound quality is amazing,” said Mark Dittmar, audio coordinator.

Shure microphone capsules graced the stage with a myriad of the award show’s performers, including Doja Cat on a Beta 54 headset mic, and Alex Warren, Sombr, Bailey Zimmerman, and Busta Rhymes on SM58 capsules. Notably, J Balvin and Mariah Carey, recipient of the 2025 Video Vanguard award, both sang into new Nexadyne 8 vocal microphone capsules, with Mariah’s mic featuring a custom gold Shure Axient Digital handheld transmitter. Lady Gaga, Artist of the Year winner, shared a pre-recorded performance where she was singing into the new Shure SM39 headset microphone.  

“For the MTV VMAs we debuted the Shure Nexadyne capsule with J Balvin, and it was a game-changer. Right out of the box, the capsule delivered a crystal-clear vocal that sat perfectly in the mix, we barely touched the EQ on his channel strip. Huge clarity, great rejection, and broadcast-ready tone without extra work,” said Hugo Pinzon, monitor and broadcast engineer with extensive experience collaborating with J Balvin.

Each of these artists, in addition to Lola Young, Tate McRae, Sabrina Carpenter, and Conan Gray, all relied on Shure Axient Digital wireless handheld transmitters.

“It’s an honor to support such talented artists and dedicated audio professionals at the MTV VMAs. Seeing our technology help deliver standout performances is incredibly rewarding,” said Jenn Liang-Chaboud, Shure manager of artist & entertainment relations.

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