When Christophe Maé started to experience problems with his monitor sound two years ago, Paris-based monitor engineer Laurent Midas was called in ‘to clean up the mix’ – and he has remained with France’s biggest album seller ever since.
The French singer’s autumn national arena tour is now underway – and being mixed for the first time on a Soundcraft platform, using both Vi6 and a Vi2 desks, providing a reference mix for drums and bass, two guitarists, a keyboard player and two backing vocals.
A fully equipped 96-channel Vi6, provided by French rental company Potar Hurlant, is assigned to IEMs, with sends to the floor monitors (plus additional mixes for guest performers) from a Vi2 (supplied by Soundcraft’s French distributor, SCV Audio). ‘You could say I am specialised in IEM,’ syas Midas. ‘Ninety-five per cent of the time I am mixing in-ears, with or without wedges.’
Around six months ago, Midas was introduced to Pascal Briam at SCV Audio, and was soon beta testing the software for the Soundcraft Vi4. ‘I became familiar with the Vistonics interface from using the Studer Vista desks,’ he says. ‘I encountered the Soundcraft Vi6 four years ago, when the product was first released and was pleased to see that it used the same engine. When the software was adapted for the Vi4 it became like a brand new desk for me. I love the quality of the sound – just as I loved that Studer Vista sound.
‘Definitely the sound is my first goal – and I’m very happy with this desk,’ he adds. ‘I also love the intuitive Vistonics touch screens and the Madi connection too – giving the ability to work in playback mode for virtual soundchecks. I now look forward to being able to save sessions which can be used right across the Soundcraft Vi portfolio – on Vi1, Vi2 Vi4 and Vi6,’ he says.
More: www.soundcraft.com
