The sound man has been providing a reference mix for the best-selling French singer's backing band, including drums and bass, two guitarists, a keyboard player and two backing vocals. A fully equipped 96-channel Vi6, provided by French rental company Potar Hurlant, is assigned to the IEM's, with sends to the floor monitors (plus additional mixes for guest performers) from a Vi2 (supplied by Soundcraft's French distributors, SCV Audio).
Growing up in the studio environment and then developing his own home studio, Laurent Midas switched to live sound 15 years ago. He quickly made a niche for himself as a touring monitor engineer, winning a number of prestigious accounts. "You could say I am specialised in IEM - around 95% of the time I am mixing in-ears ... with or without wedges," he says.
Until recently he had been working in a different digital environment - but six months ago he was introduced to Pascal Briam at SCV Audio and was soon beta testing the latest Soundcraft Vi digital software for the Vi4 and an enlightening visit to Soundcraft HQ in the UK followed.
"Working in studios I became familiar with the Vistonics interface from using the Studer Vista desks. I encountered the Soundcraft Vi6 four years ago, when the product was first released and was pleased to see that it used the same engine," he adds.
"When the software was adapted for the Vi4 it became like a brand new desk for me. I love the quality of the sound - just as I loved that Studer Vista sound."
(Jim Evans)
