Scott Kalata from Masque Sound says: "We are very enthusiastic about the use of the DiGiCo D5T on We Will Rock You, this console has definitely initiated a new era in theatrical sound design. It's a highly refined product that even Broadway's most particular designers are keeping a very close eye on. Let the revolution begin!"
The D5T is the result of an 18-month collaboration between DiGiCo and Autograph's Andrew Bruce, which has transformed the D5Live into its theatre counterpart, the D5T. The first fully featured console was installed in March when the London production of Les Misérables transferred to the Queens Theatre from the Palace, its home for 19 years.
Three things distinguish the D5T from D5Live. The behaviour of its surface controls, under the new LiveUpdate mode, allow controller changes to automatically track from cue to cue as if it were an analogue console but is also supplemented by several logical improvements. Two other significant enhancements take the form of a dedicated operator's control surface, labelled the D5Tc and an integrated software package specifically tailored for the cue-driven world of musical theatre, dubbed CueEditor. All these new features have been subjected to an extensive testing regime since the beginning of the year and were finally rolled out for the Les Misérables move.
Bobby Aitken, sound designer for We Will Rock You, has embraced this new digital mixer technology and plans to specify the D5T and its new features on all future productions. Aitken's long running association with Autograph and Andrew Bruce, with whom he co-designed Mamma Mia, will also spec the D5T for upcoming productions of this hit Abba musical, now in its fifth successful year.
Identical versions of the D5T package will be seen on the forthcoming Disney/Cameron Mackintosh production of Mary Poppins, as well as a new UK tour of Miss Saigon and the New York production of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.
Lew Mead, A2D's US director, says: "We are delighted to make this sale to Masque and to be involved in the first US production of We Will Rock You. This sale signals a significant milestone in the development of Digital consoles in the theatre environment."
(Lee Baldock)
