Two Midas PRO6 digital mixing consoles were recently employed to mix the first in a series of “secret” performances by multi-platinum recording artist Prince, at the legendary Electric Ballroom in Camden, UK.
The PRO6 consoles were supplied by LMC Audio Systems Ltd., and operated by the well-established production company – DB Audio.
DB Audio and the Electric Ballroom have enjoyed a nearly 30-year relationship, and have seen several digital boards rotate through the historic venue over that period. DB Audio owners Richard and Steve Waterhouse consulted with Will Hinkly, Technical Field Sales at LMC Audio London, to determine which console would best suit Electric Ballroom’s diverse requirements.
“The one which stood out from the rest, in terms of sound quality – was Midas,” said Richard Waterhouse. “And when we saw increasing numbers of engineers touring with their own PRO2 and PRO1 consoles, we felt the time was now right to invest in our own.”
During show prep for the first Prince show, it was soon discovered that the artist’s engineer wanted to run all monitors, in-ears and FOH from the single front-of-house console.
“Running monitors from FOH would have been an almost impossible task using our old system, but with the new PRO6 – it amounted to a simple re-patch,” said Waterhouse. “Our Midas PRO6 consoles are now the heart of our system; with channel dynamics that are really easy to use, and reverbs which sound lush and expensive.”
While it is not usual practice for reviewers to mention sound quality, The Guardian noted the comment of one fan who attended the show: “I’ll be buying the album, but I just wonder if the songs are going to sound this good.”
