Dennis Fernandez, long-time front of house engineer for sitarist and world music artist Anoushka Shankar, is utilizing Waves Audio plug-ins and a MultiRack SoundGrid system for Yamaha (Y16 cards and Waves Impact Servers) in conjunction with a Yamaha Commercial Audio CL5 digital console for Shankar’s Traces of You concert tour.
Previously, Fernandez mixed most shows on an Avid VENUE console due to its ability to run Waves plug-ins, but he’s now able to take advantage of the plug-ins with other consoles as well, including this time out. Specifically on this tour, he’s using SSL E-Channel on grand piano, cello and vocals, along with Renaissance Bass for kick drum, MaxxBass for mridangam and tabla, C6 Multiband Compressor on vocals and sitar, and the SSL G-Master Buss Compressor on the shehnai.
“I also use a Q10 on a bus to collectively EQ the Hang instruments for maximum gain before feedback,” he adds, “and then the H-EQ Hybrid Equalizer, Renaissance Compressor, MaxxBass, and L2 Ultramaximizer in tandem on the Master output.”
Fernandez notes that the plug=ins help him solve unique challenges in mixing classical Indian instruments. “Using MaxxBass on the mridangam helps replace the low-end definition that is sometimes absent in certain PA systems, and the Waves C6 especially helps with the dynamic range of the sitar, which otherwise would not be heard if it were over-EQ’d,” he says.
“I loved the BSS 901 (compressor), and the Waves C6 surpasses these,” Fernandez continues. “I can have lots of dynamic EQ that can be grabbed, listened to (soloed) and filtered very quickly, without having to use heavy EQ! I love the tone and ease of use of the H-EQ too, especially when sculpting my master bus. I can mimic different console tones right down to noise.
“In addition, the Renaissance Bass is a quick and easy fix for low-end definition – I love it/ Basically, Waves SoundGrid gives me the tone and workflow of touring my own production, which often isn’t the case.”
