AudioProgetti's technical manager Gabel Guagliumi explains how the system came about, "Idea Musica's brief was to put together a complete touring control system with 56 input channels and 24 outputs, a single core for audio input/conversion (avoiding the additional cost and space required for splitters) and digital signal transport.
"We opted for a DiGiCo SD8 and DiGiRack setup because it enables us to have control of 60 input channels in the three sections of the console worksurface, the same excellent preamps as the DiGiCo SD7 and D5, a modular stage rack that can be customized in groups of eight channels - in this specific case there are seven groups - and signal transport via MADI. Since monitor consoles normally have more gain-related problems, such as feedback, it was decided that it should be the set-up's 'master' desk and the FOH console the 'slave'."
Helming the SD8 on-stage, monitor engineer Paolo Zanier was on his first outing with a DiGiCo console. "I must say they've designed a top quality system," he reports. "The preamplifiers and A/D and D/A converters in the DiGiRack at the heart of the system do their job excellently, enabling engineers to obtain a great sound timbre and body without having to resort to excessive EQ."
Although the band has a reasonably standard line-up, with drums, bass, two sets of keyboards and lead guitar, the artist also plays guitar, which is fed into two amps, each with its own cabinet, thus using either of the sounds or a combination of both. There are also 14 sequence channels (percussion, pad and other material). So there are 52 input channels, plus six more used only on stage, including two click tracks and other split channels.
Zanier concludes: "We're pushing the desk hard and it hasn't given the slightest problem, so I'd like to be able to use it again in the future, as it has allowed us to carry out our work with excellent results and great interaction."
(Jim Evans)
