Mixing for two of Indonesia’s most popular performers – the band Naif, known for their retro sound and style, and Raisa, Indonesia’s pop/R&B star and winner of numerous awards – FOH audio engineer Sony Soebowo is using Waves Audio’s eMotion LV1 Live Mixer and a selection of Waves plug-ins.

The eMotion LV1  runs on a Waves Axis One computer with a SoundGrid Extreme Server-C, a SoundStudio STG-1608for FOH I/O and a SoundStudio STG-2412 for stagebox I/O.

Soebowousually makes do with a single screen, as he uses DCAs as his groups function since the mix is already set – resulting in little need for major tweaking during the show. For recording and playback/virtual soundchecking, he uses Waves Tracks Live. The bands use IEMs, and as backup, or if there are wireless frequency issues, they are provided with wedges and he is set up in parallel to switch if problems happen, even if in the middle of the show.

‘I have been using Waves MultiRack for a long time now, and the ability to use Waves plug-ins within the console is a major advantage,’ he says. ‘My must-haves are the Abbey Road TG Mastering Chain plug-in, which I use on the Master Bus, as it ensures a really clean and powerful sound. The Vitamin Sonic Enhancer gives that extra shine to the overall mix, and the Q10 Equalizerenables me to make fine EQ changes, which are needed for different venues.

‘I use the F6 Floating-Band Dynamic EQ and a choice of plug-ins from the SSL 4000 Collection via parallel compression on all of my groups for controlling and sculpting the sound in order to sit the different groups in the mix,’ he continues. ‘I have the Scheps Omni Channel on almost all the input channels – it has analogue warmth and low DSP usage. For drums and bass I insert the CLA MixHubto get a great blend and vibe, and to match the sound character for each of them. The SSL G-Master Buss Compressor and F6 Floating-Band Dynamic EQ help me control guitar and keyboard, and I also use it with a side chain from vocal for shaping the mid-high frequency. The C6 Multiband Compressor really helps as this plug-in assists me to control the dynamic equalisation and shape the sound when I need to keep the dynamic of the band but still maintain their musical sound.

‘When mixing Raisa’s vocals, I go for the CLA MixHub, which provides me with the most unique vocal character and the perfect blend with the surrounding instruments. I insert the CLA-76 Compressor/Limiter as well in order to control the dynamic level of the vocals.

Usually, he has no need for the band to be on stage for soundcheck, except for line checking.

These two bands draw crowds that can run from 2,000 to 20,000, and whether at a small or large venue, the eMotion LV1 meets the requirements: ‘I chose the LV1 especially for its portability, along with the crucial fact that its sound is amazingly pristine, almost CD-like. As Indonesia is a relatively large country, touring consists of quite a lot of travelling from show to show either by flights, car or trucking, and the LV1 is the only console that can be carried effortlessly and also be easily checked into flights. My current setup travels in just three portable flightcases.

‘Using the LV1 guarantees great sound wherever I go, unlike the alternative, which would be using the house desks in different venues. Also, as I am often working with these two bands in parallel, the ability to store and recall scenes and use DCAs/Mix Groups considerably reduces setup time and guarantees great sound at all venues. Besides the portability and exquisite sound, the LV1 is really super-quick to set up, and it is a rugged machine as well. I did a show recently in a stadium, and it started raining. Raindrops were pouring on my screen and I just continued mixing. This would have been impossible with a regular mixer.’

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