With sales of over 25 million albums, seven number-one hits, and eleven Grammys in less than a decade in the spotlight, R&B singer Alicia Keys is at the top of her game and shows no signs of slowing. This summer will find her headlining shows and playing festivals throughout the world in support of her third studio album, As I Am.

To convey her nuanced, emotional voice, Keys sings into a top-of-the-line Sennheiser SKM 5200 wireless mic with a dynamic MD 5235 capsule. Her backing singers use Sennheiser SKM 935 G2 wireless mics, and all of the mobile members of the band, including Keys, rely on evolution wireless ew 300 IEM G2 wireless personal monitor systems.

Keys' SKM 5200 with MD 5235 capsule, paired with a Sennheiser EM 3732 receiver, came at the request of FOH engineer Larry 'Filet' Mignona, who favours the mic over other wireless brands for its natural frequency response and superior off-axis rejection.

"The 5235 has a warm sound without the unnatural high-end boost that's so prevalent in other manufacturers' wireless mics," he explains. "In my opinion, that high-end boost is there to flatter singers who can't really sing. But Alicia can really sing! In addition, the rejection from a Sennheiser cardioid is way more effective than anything else I've used and helps keep the mix clean."

Depending on the day, Keys will be performing with three or four background singers on tour this summer, all on Sennheiser SKM 935 G2 wireless mics that use EM 550 G2 receivers.

"I like the 935 for the same reasons I like the 5235," continued Mignona. "It has a warmth that's uncommon in live vocal mics. And even without any high-end hype, the 935 cuts through perfectly."

The band and the techs have been using ew 300 IEM G2 wireless personal monitors for a long time, and Mignona prizes their RF stability and reliability. Travelling the world with a big-ticket show like Alicia Keys leaves no room for error in what can often be an unpredictable RF environment. Despite that, Mignona has used the ew 300s night after night without so much as a hiccup.

Keys and her entourage have spent July touring through Europe. Between headlining dates, she performed at Moon & Stars Locarno and the Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland as well as the Umbria Jazz Festival and Lucca Festival in Italy. August will take the tour to Southeast Asia to play, among other shows, Japan's Summer Sonic festival. After returning to the US in August, Keys will play a selection of theatre shows before heading back to Eastern Europe for a further string of headlining dates.

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