DiGiCo desks in the mix at BRIT Awards 2023
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DiGiCo consoles, a regular fixture at the BRIT Awards, supplied by Britannia Row Productions (Brit Row) delivered reliability and audio quality, ensuring every performance was heard with crystal clarity.
Brit Row, a Clair Global-owned company was responsible for delivering a comprehensive audio package for the event. Under the direction of Brit Row director, Lez Dwight, and account executive Tom Brown, the team supplied an array of equipment, including a DiGiCo control package, RF management, and a crew to manage the audio system.
All consoles used during the main show were DiGiCo, with three Quantum 7s, two of which were deployed for monitors and one for FOH, two SD12s dedicated to presenters and winners at FOH, and an SD11 functioning as the comms/shout link console. The show's complex audio system also featured multiple SD Racks and a pair of Orange Boxes, further attesting to the exceptional quality and versatility of the DiGiCo consoles.
Brit Row’s head of engineering - event support, Josh Lloyd, designed the system and handled the house band mixes, with Wayne ‘Rabbit’ Seargent and Marty Harrison on monitors. Supporting him was key team member Chris Coxhead, who handled FOH for presenters.
According to Brown, "DiGiCo was the ideal choice for the job at hand. The versatility of the consoles can cater to the needs of different artists and their teams, and most engineers are comfortable and familiar with using DiGiCo, which is always a bonus. DiGiCo’s reputation for delivering exceptional sound quality and reliability further underscores the consoles’ suitability for use at high-profile events like the BRIT Awards.”
Saul Skoutarides, monitor engineer for Sam Smith, has been using DiGiCo console for the past six years and, as a monitor engineer, they are his top choice due to their layout, functionality, and sound quality.
"The SD7 has stood the test of time,” he says. “It was launched in 2007 and it’s still as good as it was then. In my opinion, it's the most versatile console out there in terms of programmability and when it comes to monitor consoles, the SD7 is simply the best. Although I appreciate certain attributes of other consoles, the entire package offered by the SD7 is unbeatable, particularly for this gig. For me, DiGiCo consoles make the most sense."
Skoutarides emphasises that "the support DiGiCo provides for awards shows is second to none. They always have someone there who’s knowledgeable and helpful. The DiGiCo team have helped me with a few things in the past and are always readily accessible. They have a deep understanding of the challenges we face in a live scenario and the need for everything to be precise under the stress and pressures of such events."
