What's Happening?
For Tate McRae's recent festival appearances, including Lollapalooza in Chicago, her front-of-house and monitor engineers, Curtis McKenna and Melvin Godfrey, utilized DiGiCo Quantum mixing consoles. This decision marked a shift from McKenna's previous
console use, driven by the widespread availability and adaptability of DiGiCo systems. For the Lollapalooza event, AND Audio supplied a Quantum326 and Quantum338. McKenna, a seasoned DiGiCo operator, praised the consoles' workflow and macro capabilities, which allow for complex actions with a single button press. He is also considering purchasing a DiGiCo Quantum112 for McRae's future tours, specifically for broadcast purposes, as many of her upcoming gigs are expected to be broadcast.
Why It's Important?
The adoption of advanced audio technology like DiGiCo Quantum consoles by Tate McRae's production team highlights a significant trend in the live music industry: the increasing demand for high-fidelity sound and flexible technical solutions. This move ensures optimal audio quality for her performances, which is crucial for maintaining audience engagement and artist reputation. The consideration of a dedicated broadcast console underscores the growing importance of live-streamed and televised performances, expanding an artist's reach beyond physical concert venues. This investment in cutting-edge equipment impacts the overall production value of live events, setting new standards for sound engineering and potentially influencing other artists and production companies to upgrade their systems.
What's Next?
Curtis McKenna is contemplating the purchase of a DiGiCo Quantum112 for Tate McRae's upcoming tours. This smaller console would serve as a dedicated broadcast desk, allowing for quick adjustments to broadcast mixes without interfering with the main live show. This strategic move anticipates the increasing broadcast nature of McRae's performances, ensuring high-quality audio for a wider audience. McKenna also plans to further explore the advanced macro features of the DiGiCo consoles to streamline his workflow and potentially reduce the amount of outboard processing equipment carried on tour, indicating a continuous evolution in live sound engineering practices for future excursions.
Beyond the Headlines
The technical choices made by Tate McRae's engineers reflect broader industry shifts towards integrated and highly customizable audio solutions. The emphasis on DiGiCo's loop system and the ability to adapt show files across different console models speaks to the need for efficiency and consistency in touring productions. Furthermore, the focus on broadcast capabilities for live shows points to a future where the line between live performance and media content blurs, requiring engineers to manage multiple audio outputs simultaneously. This trend not only impacts the technical aspects of concert production but also influences how artists connect with their global fanbase through various media channels.
