With a number of high-profile shows and events in prospect, Blitz had systematically purchased a DM1000, PM5000 and PM5D digital desk from their long-term suppliers over the past couple of months - and all were on display, allowing a number of leading independent freelance, corporate and theatre engineers (including the National) to get hands-on training by Marquee and Yamaha support teams.
"This is part of our ongoing inventory upgrade, and Marquee have supported us as they always do," said Blitz Sound regional manager, Chris Jordan. "Today is overview-type training . . . when we need to do intense training we can either do it here or in Marquee's demo facilities at Shepperton Studios. It is one of the reasons we con tinue to purchase from Marquee, with whom we have a trading history that extends back to the late '80s."
Blitz Sound director Richard Rogers had first seen the PM5D at Marquee's own demo day - at RADA, back in the Spring. "As soon as I saw it I knew there was no other choice, and that we had to have one," he said. "In fact I am surprised it's taken so long for us to get into digital technology, but I think that's down to the inherent conservatism of the engineers." He agreed with Chris Jordan that since digital is now a proven platform the move was not so much a 'leap of faith' as a carefully-timed inevitability.
Described by Marquee managing director Spencer Brooks as "the first designed-for-live digital console", the Yamaha PM5D was taken out immediately by Rogers to support the MM02 AGM at the Hexagon in Reading. "It was my first experience with a digital desk, and although I approached it with a degree of trepidation I was surprised at its ease of operation. In fact it was a revelation - I could do everything I could on an analogue desk with a minimum of training; the client was happy not only with the sound, but with the footprint of the desk: It was quite a complicated show yet I was able to run the entire AGM with the desk, a power supply and CD player."
Meanwhile the DM1000 was purchased primarily to run the Vauxhall stand at the recent International Motor Show at the NEC, and is now handling orchestral foldback on Bat Boy: The Musical. The PM5000 has been assigned to the BT AGM at Cardiff Arena and a Yamaha DM2000 (which they had earlier purchased from Marquee) is currently out on Snoopy - The Musical in the West End.
(Lee Baldock)
