Filmed in front of a live audience with a live band, the format includes music, comedy, chat and celebrity guests, and is captured with a seven-camera shoot and some 70 channels of audio to cater for the large band and 24 channels of radio microphones. The sessions are recorded direct to digital multi-track with a full PA system and monitor setup from Welsh company AB Acoustics, provided through Audio Logistics. The audience mix is engineered by Clinton Cast with the monitor mix by AB Acoustics owner Huw ‘Buzz’ Evans.
Post production is handled by Toby Alington and mixed at The Soundworks’ 5.1-equipped Studio 1 in Cardiff, using the studio’s SSL Axiom digital desk with Pro Tools. Alington explains: "It’s a huge privilege to mix these shows, because of the fantastic musicianship in the band. Under the direction of David Firman, there are players of the calibre of Steve Sidwell - Robbie Williams’ musical director for his big band shows at the Royal Albert Hall - and Phil Todd, one of the finest saxophonists in the world; they are the country’s top session musicians, and the songs are beautifully arranged standards, old and new. It’s real entertainment music television produced to a very high level - which is very refreshing to find these days. And Presentable are wonderful to work with."
Other shows post-produced by Alington for Presentable include Michael Ball’s Ball in the Hall at St David’s Hall, a Max Boyce music/comedy special, with another commissioned for next year in Sydney, Still Rockin’ (nominated for a Welsh BAFTA for sound), and a series with Aled Jones.Chris Stuart, creative director of Presentable Ltd, comments: "We're currently in our third Mike Doyle series for BBC Wales and from the outset we've tried - on something less than network budgets - to deliver network production values. There's a widespread industry suspicion of music on TV. We happen to believe that if you bring proper production ambition to authentic performances from artistes who can really cut it live, music still delivers a magic that can reel 'em in. So a first rate band and Toby Alington's superb audio contribution are central to our operation."
(Ruth Rossington)
