Europe - Front-of-house engineer Burton Ishmael found himself at the helm of one of the largest concert audiences in history.
On Madonna’s Celebration world tour, Ishmael’s technical prowess and creative vision were put to the test. Madonna’s discography spans over 40 years, requiring much more than a one-size-fits-all approach. With a long list of hit songs with different sonic signatures recorded all over the world, the goal was to stay true to each record while providing a cohesive experience.
Enter the Avid Venue | S6L. Captivated by its versatility and intuitive interface, he found in the S6L a platform that not only complemented his workflow but also ‘elevated his sonic palette’. With its onboard plugins processing power, and seamless integration with his preferred outboard gear, the S6L became an indispensable tool in his arsenal.
“You don't just do a Madonna tour – you survive a Madonna tour. But Madonna doesn't ask you to do anything she's not capable of. She's not asking us to do anything she's not doing,” he recounts.
Navigating the complexities of sound on such a grand scale required not only technical expertise but also a deep understanding of the artist's vision. Ishmael’s setup, tailored specifically for the occasion, ensured that every note resonated with precision and clarity.
One of the highlights of the Madonna tour was the concert in Rio de Janeiro, which became the largest crowd of her career and set records for the largest audience ever for a stand-alone concert, and the largest all-time crowd for a female artist.
Ishmael and the audio team faced the challenge of delivering pristine sound to over 1.6m fans gathered on the Copacabana Beach, while working around the limitations of an outdoor beach venue at temperatures over 90°F with no roof structure to support the sound system.
“This is what happens when you play with big stars: their dreams are to top the top,” he says, “To not only be able to pull that off flawlessly and accurately, but to have one of the best-sounding shows we’ve ever had, is super satisfying.”
