Brittain began using the 56-channel D5 Live EX console this autumn. "I'd been using various digital consoles for the past 18 months or so," he says. "I took part in a DiGiCo demonstration in Vancouver some time back and, having spoken to friends and peers in the industry who use them, really wanted to get a DiGiCo for the summer dates in the US.
"For various reasons I had to wait, but starting on it in Europe and the UK worked out very well. I was able to go to DiGiCo's premises and spend some time with Tim Shaxson and Roger Wood, who got me up to speed really quickly with customising its settings for the show. I was really impressed with the flexibility and ease of setup. Once I got on to it, I realised the decision was a no brainer."
In addition to Bublé, the tour features 13 musicians - an eight-piece brass section and five-piece rhythm section consisting of drums, bass, two guitarists and a pianist.
For Brittain, this meant six sets of IEMs, plus wedges and side-fills. In addition, he has an Aviom card interface on the D5, feeding rhythm stems and direct outs of each one of the horns. This is then sent to eight Aviom A16 mixers operated by each member of the brass section, allowing them to do their own monitor mixes. And with a choir brought on each night to round off the set, it's a busy life in monitor world.
(Jim Evans)
