Poland’s first symphonic spectacle in 360° sound took place recently at the Atlas Arena in Łódź. JIMEK & Guests: Subclassics was staged with orchestra in the round, with its sound system built around DiGiCo Quantum mixing systems – two Quantum 338s with Pulse upgrade at FOH, and Quantum 852 and SD12-96 consoles on monitors.
Composer and conductor Radzimir Dębski – professionally, JIMEK – is known for blending classical sounds with modern music genres. Accoringly, his Subclassics concert was a blend of symphonic compositions and hip-hop. ‘There’s no adventure if you know what to expect,’ he observes. ‘Only uncertainty leads to fulfilment. I’m not interested in concerts where we press play on something you can just as easily hear in your headphones. I crave the musician’s presence, free-styling, and serendipitous moments.’
The sound for this ambitious project was designed by Brawlers CEO, Remigiusz Kasztelnik, with the consoles supplied by Polish DiGiCo distributor, Polsound. ‘Such projects are always a challenge, but also a great satisfaction,’ Kasztelnik says. ‘Thanks to precise planning and the work of the entire team, we created a sound space that emphasised both the delicacy of the orchestra and the strong, rhythmic style of hip-hop.’
The FOH mix was shared between two engineers, each using a Quantum 338 Pulse. Krzysztof Podsiadło and Piotr Szreder shared responsibility for the orchestra, with one concentrating on dynamics and spatial details, while the other focused on percussion and soloists. This ensured they could maintain clarity in high-energy moments.
‘For JIMEK’s concert, we paid special attention to detail; each instrument had to be heard in perfect balance, but also keep dynamics and energy,’ says Podsiadło.
The engineers also had the flexibility and control to convey the nuances of the acoustic instruments alongside hip-hop beats, as the Quantum 338’s feature set was accompanied by Mustard and Spice Rack processing, coupled with the power of a Pulse upgrade, increasing the total channel count to 156 and both Mustard and Nodal Processing by 12 channels each.
Monitor mixes for such a dynamic event also require space and clarity. The orchestra featured strings, brass, drums accompanying a rotating line-up of guest vocalists. The mixes were split between the Quantum 852 and the SD12-96, operated by Iwo Biały and Piotr Gozdek. Every member of the orchestra received their own mix, a personal touch that ensured every performer heard exactly what they needed to.
‘The key was achieving clarity in the mix, especially with so many sound sources,’ Biały explains. ‘Working with such an extraordinary group of musicians is demanding but immensely rewarding. The orchestra requires a precise balance of strings and brass, while hip-hop soloists need distinct beats and vocals.’
And the concert now holds a special place in the hearts of the Polsound team: ‘The concert JIMEK & Guests: Subclassics produced by Note the Note at Atlas Arena was not only a musical feast, but also proof of how classical symphonic music can combine with modern sounds, creating new, unique qualities,’ Wojtala says. ‘Thanks to JIMEK’s vision and the professionalism of the Brawlers’ team, the audience had the opportunity to participate in a truly unique event that will remain in their memory for a long time.’
