PCA Audio Design, a New York City production company, used its Allen & Heath GLD-80 digital mixer for front of house and monitors at this year’s “Project Dance” in New York City’s Times Square. PCA president and founder Pat Alapa says his company has provided production audio for the event for over 16 years.
The annual event, founded by former Rockette Cheryl Cutlip, features dance groups from all over America. Alapa notes, “I’ve used this particular GLD for four years now and it’s a workhorse for us. The Allen & Heath boards are well thought out and you can get a good mix right out of the gate.”
For a recent Chanel marketing meeting in California, Alapa took good advantage of the GLD-80’s digital features. “I set up scenes during rehearsal for each segment of the meeting,” he says. “We stored EQ, compression, level and routing. That way, I didn’t have to worry as we switched mics during the show.”
He also used the GLD’s AMM automatic mic mixer for Chanel panel discussions.
“The auto mixer is a big help when you have 6 or 7 people on stage and want to keep the mics up without driving into feedback.” Alapa added, “I’ve got some outboard tube compressors that I really like but, for the most part, I just use the GLD’s internal compressors, gates and other effects. For ease of use and overall flexibility, you just can’t beat the Allen & Heath effects package.”
PCA provides production audio with its Allen & Heath mixers for events ranging from concerts and music/dance festivals to corporate meetings and award ceremonies.
At a recent Hayley Kiyoko concert in New York, PCA provided the dLive S Class digital mixing system used at front of house. The dLive will also mix in June for the New Jersey “Anime Next” event where PCA provides sound, lighting and projection services.
Alapa comments, “I’m pretty much an Allen & Heath company. We still own a GL4000, GL3300 and GL4 analog mixer. So, going into the digital world, I stayed with Allen & Heath. I love the sound quality and functionality and the consoles are well-constructed. Allen & Heath has always delivered for us.”
