DB Videoproductions specialises in entertainment and sports outside broadcasting, where the sound is just as important as the images. "We felt it was time to upgrade our services to include multitrack recording and the ability to deliver material direct to CD or DVD immediately after an event," says the company's Ivan Mangelschots.
The new UNIT4 truck couples the DiGiCo D5 to a Sadie 64 hard disk recorder and Pro Tools HD3 system, which provides a 64-track recording system of ultra-high audio quality. "The D5 is the perfect console for our kind of work," Mangelschots continues. "It means we can set up very quickly in a live situation, which saves a lot of time and money. The system also connects very easily with the main PA systems of the major Belgian rental companies, many of whom use DiGiCo D5 or D1 consoles. It means there are no microsplits, just one fibre optic link between the stage and the UNIT4 truck. The fact that there is no messing around with multicore snakes makes a huge difference to our work schedules."
He continues: "The system has the flexibility of being easily expandable if we need more inputs and outputs for the bigger concerts. The D5 is very quick to learn and it handles very well in a live situation. And of course it sounds great!"
The UNIT4 truck is designed to operate either individually for audio broadcast / recording, or in tandem with one of DB Videoproductions video-based OB trucks. In combination with the company'ss UNIT2 video truck, it has already facilitated the recording of the musical "Mamma Mia" in Antwerp, for release on DVD.
(Lee Baldock)
