DiGiCo delivers flexibility for Music Bank streams
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“We knew people would want to use Music Bank as a streaming location for the same reasons they use it for a rehearsal space,” says Charlie Bryson, monitor engineer for Rod Stewart’s band and long-time DiGiCo user who started his career at Music Bank and has returned during the pandemic to look after all things audio for the live streams. “The new studios offer huge, great sounding, well-serviced rehearsal rooms with a plethora of backline and instruments available to hire right across the hallway.”
This, combined with a recently upgraded 1GB symmetrical internet connection and its collaboration with neighbour, Colour Sound Experiment, to bring in modular/scalable LED walls and a lighting package for each room, makes Music Bank an appropriate choice for a streaming performance space.
“After that, all that was left was to get a great camera and broadcast setup together and we had an awesome streaming operation that artists could come in and design however they liked!” Bryson continues. “Initially, I think a lot of artists saw an opportunity to do something different or something they hadn’t done before with these live streamed / lockdown performances. Something new and exciting for the fans to make up for the lack of energy experienced at a live show. With that in mind, I needed a console that was very versatile and flexible and able to handle any new idea that might arise halfway through a rehearsal.”
With regard to DiGiCo, Bryson says: “You develop a way of working fast an efficiently with whatever console you spend most time with,” he says. “But in my opinion, the DiGiCo operating system really is the most logical, intuitive and user-friendly option out there.”
“DiGiCo’s Mark Saunders has been an integral part of the relationship between Music Bank and DiGiCo,” adds Mac. “Before the pandemic we had so many artists in with DiGiCo packages, Mark basically had a second home here. It’s been extremely productive to have developed such a close relationship between the two companies and I’m sure it will continue for long into the future.”
As soon as the initial period of lockdown ended, Music Bank was set up and ready to go and has been doing streams on a regular basis. All genres and scales have been catered for, from intimate Punk Rock shows with The Professionals [Steve Cook from The Sex Pistols], immersive DJ performances with the likes of Jonas Blue, to Melanie C’s global album launch performance. More recently, Trevor Horn and his all-star session band recorded a Live Session Special with artists including Seal and Stewart Copeland dialing in via Live Link to perform with the musicians in the studio in London from their own studios in the US.
