The D5T12 was delivered to Cardiff-based Stage Sound Services in August and was immediately whisked off to the tour's first show at the Theatre Royal Plymouth, on 1 September. Indeed, so hot off the press is the new console that the show was actually programmed on the prototype console at DiGiCo's UK offices.
Designed in association with theatrical sound designer Bobby Aitken, the new console is a hybrid of the already successful D5T digital theatre mixing system. The D5T12 provides 12 output faders, rather than the standard eight, to provide more VCF control within the standard console surface and footprint.
Having purchased a DiGiCo D1 console from Autograph Sales earlier in 2006, Stage Sound Services' Phil Hurley was on the lookout for another DiGiCo console when the company was awarded the sound contract for the Me And My Girl tour.
"As with most theatrical shows, Me And My Girl requires a lot of outputs," says Phil. "We already had the D1 in use on other projects, so I decided to push the boat out and buy one of the first D5T12s. And it's already proving perfect for the job."
Freelance sound designer Andy Collins - who works closely with Hurley - designed the sound spec for the tour around the D5T12. This meant that user training sessions for SSS staff on the prototype console at DiGiCo's UK headquarters assumed a significant extra role - with Collins and Hurley programming the show on the prototype console, ready for upload to the production unit as soon as it was delivered.
"This tour travels throughout the UK on a tight schedule and the D5T12 offers a lot of advantages," Hurley continues. "Its inherent flexibility and the number of outputs means we're not going to get caught out and the console's compact footprint is also very important in terms of selling the maximum number of seats.
"But just as important for us is the service and backup offered by DiGiCo," he continues. "Since we bought the D1 from Autograph, DiGiCo's support has been excellent. They are constantly upgrading their products and technology, and they support you throughout that process. Proof of that is in the fact that, in our opinion, the D5T12 is the perfect theatre console."
The UK tour of Me And My Girl is set to run - complete with the D5T12 - until July 2007.
(Chris Henry)
