Two standard Model 1832 'plug n' play' LightViper fiber optic audio 'snake' systems provide a total of 64 channels of LightViper fiber optic audio transport (32 sends by 8 returns each). Performance mics terminate into racks of digital preamplifiers that are remotely controlled by two, 96-channel Yamaha digital FOH and monitor consoles equipped with LightViper plug-in VIM-MY-32 mini-YGDAI circuit cards.
David Jacques, production manager and FOH Engineer for Third Day, commented on replacing the super group's old-school copper snakes with the LightViper: "One of the most important things we wanted to do with the 'Viper' was to minimise the overall audio system footprint and the amount of cabling. Basically, we removed over 400ft of copper from the rig - this saved us lots of shipping weight and space.
"We now have a clean, noiseless system. Since everything is now optically-isolated, going fiber also solved ground loop problems we often encounter. This is a real plus since we roll-in and out of so many festivals and venues. There is absolutely no degradation to the audio, which I didn't think would be a problem anyway."
(Jim Evans)
