Novatech Creative Event Technology sent out the first AVID S6L digital mixer for hire in the Asia-Pacific region to handle the high channel and bus count of Adelaide’s Carols by Candlelight, set in the beautiful surrounds of Elder Park.
As the crowd was entertained by stars such as Anthony Callea, Rhonda Burchmore, Samantha Jade, Nathanie land Peter Combe, the S6L used all 64 inputs, as well as 16 outputs which fed eight front of house audio zones to the system and eight orchestral submixes to the AVID SC48 monitor console.
Australian sound engineer Jon Lemon, who has worked on the global stage with artists as diverse as Seal, Christina Aguilera, Smashing Pumpkins, Pink Floyd, INXS, and Sia, was full of praise for Novatech and the S6L.
“The S6L only arrived in the warehouse last Tuesday; it was the first one in the country.” Lemon reports.
“I was suitably impressed, and I think it’s a wise investment for Novatech, who I believe are in the premiere class among Australia’s production companies.The S6Lmade a monster gig easy. We built 65 snapshots over six hours of rehearsal, and operation was completely intuitive. I particularly liked the Custom Layouts feature, being able to choose what channels are on the surface’s 32 faders for each Snapshot.”
“I also found having three customizable control modules makes life easier. And sonically, running at 96kHz makes such a difference.”
With over 300 processing channels, plug-ins and Pro Tools integration, the newest member of the AVID family can mix, distribute and record audio at the largest of events. The S6L’s networked, distributed I/O via AVB on Ethernet means even large outdoor events like Carols by Candlelight are easy to set-up and operate, with physical inputs and outputs located wherever they’re needed, all connected with light, portable, off-the-shelf Ethernet equipment and cabling.
To ensure full and clear coverage around Elder Park, Novatech deployed a distributed PA system from L-Acoustics.
24 elements of their K2 line array system covered the crowd, augmented by eight SB28 subwoofers. Four L-Acoustics KIVA modular line source cabinets provided in-fill, while six KARA modular line source loudspeakers covered the back of the crowd as delays. Fourteen L-Acoustics 115XT HiQ stage monitors provided crystal-clear audio to the performers.
The whole rig was powered by just eight L-Acoustics LA-RAKs, which house three LA8 power amplifiers each, plus signal and power distribution.
“The new S6L was perfect for this application,” says Nick Gates, audio technical lead at Novatech.
“We utilized the console’s flexibility for the large number of stage inputs, sub groups and stem mixes required for the event. Reinforced with L-Acoustics K2 and the phase linear tools in LA Network Manager, I was able to ensure amplitude integrity across the entire park.”
Carols by Candlelight was attended by an estimated 40,000 people, with funds from the folded-note entry donation and merchandise sold at the event going to Novita Children’s Services. Novita provides child development, rehabilitation and disability services to more than 3,800 young clients, as well as support for their families and carers in Adelaide, regional South Australia and beyond.
