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Founded in 1926, RG Jones stands as the longest-established AV company in Europe, specialising in sound equipment, rental, sales, and installation. With decades of experience, RG Jones has mastered the art of delivering optimal solutions, without compromising the surrounding environment. This journey has evolved with the evolution of audio equipment over the decades and has witnessed a longstanding alliance with Shure.

We take a look at some of the fundamental shows and events RG Jones has supported over the years and how Shure technology has helped deliver impeccable sound.

Simon Honywill, RG Jones' award-winning sound system designer and front-of-house engineer, boasts a remarkable 44-year tenure with the company. His journey began in 1979, unsure of his career path but driven by intrigue. Simon's deep industry knowledge and passion have been passed down to his son, Harry, a Sound Engineer with RG Jones for the past two years, but with 20 unofficial years of experience, with fond memories of helping out from the age of 13.

Simon's earliest memories at RG Jones involve Shure SM58®s microphones and while technology has evolved, the diversity of work remains a constant. Simon reflects,

There was a lot of varied work, a lot of work in broadcast, some light entertainment stuff including Summertime Special and TV music shows. From my first tour with Shirley Bassey, driving the van with the mic stands in, it's come quite a long way.

The enduring relationship between RG Jones and Shure has been a foundational element. Simon recollects:

There are other microphone brands available, obviously, but I was certainly introduced to Shure as a brand, probably on my first day at RG Jones." I believe that Shure is a year older as a company, so it looks like they’re going to pip us to the post on the hundred years thing, a pretty incredible achievement, and something that's well worth celebrating.

Looking back at industry transformations, Simon notes, "It’s like continents drifting," emphasising the seismic shift from analog to digital audio. He states, "It is just better than analog, sorry for the cliché everybody, it works, it doesn’t buzz, and the loudspeaker systems are just so much more powerful."

Simon highlights the rising expectations in the industry, asserting:

Expectations are much higher these days, and any sound system is only ever as good as what you put into it, the microphones are obviously really important." Technological advancements, from miniaturisation to RF improvements and significant innovations like Dante, have revolutionised the industry, no need for massive flight cases of 96 pair analog cable.

Having worked on historic productions such as Charles and Diana's wedding fireworks, the Papal visit, and the Three Tenors' performance during the 1990 World Cup, Simon's journey reflects RG Jones' legacy. Notably, RG Jones became synonymous with classical concerts post the success of Nessun Dorma by the Three Tenors.

Simon adds:

Rather uniquely, I cut my teeth on a lot of that stuff, I'd like to think I learned my mixing craft with orchestras and opera, it was a very different affair altogether. I ended up doing a lot of work with Luciano Pavarotti, Jose Carreras. Up until relatively recently with Carreras, actually and now with Katherine Jenkins.

Simon acknowledges the impact of microphone technology on the industry, stating:

The introduction of dedicated instruments mics and reliable, solid, dependable wireless systems like Shure Axient® Digital Wireless Microphone System has made so much more possible; it's made a massive difference to the way West End productions are designed.

Laterally, RG Jones has also worked on Glastonbury’s four stages, Radio 2 in the Park in Leicester and Radio 1 Big Weekend. RG Jones are somewhat unique in that they do a bit of everything, not like the majority of rental companies who are renowned for one or two particular things, meaning great exposure.

Back in the early 2000s they were involved in some incredible events celebrating the arrival of oil from the Caspian Sea piped from Baku to Turkey, with rock and roll shows in Baku, Tbilisi and Kalkan to celebrate. Gladiators television broadcast was another really big project for RG Jones, and it helped them invest a lot in their first real proper large-scale PA system.

Shifting the focus to recent projects, Simon praises Shure's Axient Digital technology, especially its role in complex productions like Jeff Wayne's live touring show. "Since that album came out, which was in '77 or '78, he'd always wanted to perform it live, but the technology never existed to do it justice," says Simon. The advent of line arrays, reliable radio mic systems, and advanced orchestra miking made it possible.

Examining the father-son dynamic, Simon adores mentoring Harry but also acknowledges learning from his son. "Harry’s early industry experience is from a very different world with so much to discover, and now there are so many more possibilities about what's possible with system design," he says.

Simon notes the recent meaningful delivery of education in the audio industry. While theory and topics like EQ and compression can be discussed, true understanding only comes through practical experience. Mentoring Harry brings Simon a sense of fulfilment, providing real-world meaning to theoretical knowledge.

As a young engineer at the beginning of his career, Harry attended a Shure Wireless Workbench® Software and Axient Digital Wireless Microphone System training session, giving him all the baseline skills needed to be able to go out and effectively coordinate RF and deploy it with confidence on site and on gigs.

Harry, reflects on his role as an RF Tech and Stage Tech at events like Glastonbury and Games for Ukraine, where he coordinates, scans and analyses frequencies, making sure it all works perfectly, and gives out belt packs, microphones and in-ear monitoring systems, to the musicians. He appreciates Shure's reliability. "The reason I choose Shure products is for reliability, I'm comfortable with it and have had the best results with it, and it’s very well received by the artists" says Harry. He praises the ease of access, networking capabilities, and versatility of Shure products.

Harry acknowledges that challenges can arise at times. For instance, at a recent site, the entire frequency spectrum was occupied by digital television, requiring meticulous coordination in the narrow gaps between digital DV duplexes. He utilised Shure Wireless Workbench software to collect transmitter and receiver data, determining preferred bands through calculations on the Ofcom website and inputting them into Workbench.

Shure Axient Digital evolution streamlines production setup, contrasting with the complexity of analog RF systems. While productions grow in intricacy, the ease of technology and assembly has improved. At large events like Glastonbury, coordinating a 48-way, five-way active split ensured faultless operation of all 290 channels, a crucial aspect to prevent issues like buzzing mics on broadcast streams.”

RG Jones extends their expertise beyond music events to various sports like tennis, cricket, football, rugby at Twickenham, and athletics nationwide. Opting for Axient Digital system, particularly in athletics, due to its user-friendly nature and impressive range, Harry notes its reliable performance in covering the entire event, from presenters to starter's mics.

As technology evolves, Harry sees the potential for advancements in IEMS (In-Ear Monitors). Looking ahead, he envisions continued collaboration with Shure and anticipates exploring new possibilities.

Working alongside Simon and Harry is Jake Lapworth, a system tech, RF technician, and overall sound engineer at RG Jones. Jake emphasises the choice of Shure products for their reliability and sleek design. He commends the RF coordination capabilities - RF combined with Wireless Workbench, ShowLink, and the new AX series of digital, is unbeatable.

RG Jones recently acquired the Shure Axient Digital AD600 Spectrum Manager, enabling on-site scanning and subsequent import to Wireless Workbench 7 back at the warehouse. This facilitates comprehensive coordination of RF, not only for their equipment but also for broadcasters. Particularly crucial at large sports venues like Twickenham, where UK and foreign broadcasters, along with house equipment, are present, this process ensures reliable frequencies licensed to Ofcom, fostering Shure's renowned reliability. Sharing the scan file with broadcasters allows coordinated, intermod-free, and pristine RF management, contributing to a seamless operation.

RG Jones, committed to environmental responsibility, values Shure's rechargeable battery system for minimising carbon footprints. The system aligns with RG Jones' green initiatives, contributing to their SSIP registration for certain events.

As RG Jones approaches its centennial celebration, the partnership with Shure continues to define the company's commitment to delivering exceptional sound experiences. From historic milestones to cutting-edge productions, the Shure and RG Jones collaboration stands as the harmonious essence of exceptional sound.

About Shure

Shure has been making people sound extraordinary for nearly a century. Founded in 1925, the Company is a leading global manufacturer of audio equipment known for quality, performance, and durability. We make microphones, wireless microphone systems, in-ear monitors, earphones and headphones, conferencing systems, and more. For critical listening or high-stakes moments on stage, in the studio, and from the meeting room, you can always rely on Shure.

Shure Incorporated is headquartered in Niles, Illinois, in the United States. We have over 30 manufacturing facilities and regional sales offices throughout the Americas, EMEA, and Asia.