Landsberg-based event production company, Rain Age, with Martin Heining as head of sound, supplied an extensive audio system that had a DiGiCo SD7 at its FOH position during the German leg of the tour, and now has the additional benefit of an SD8 at monitors for the remainder.
Dispensing with extensive light installations and special effects, Mando Diao concentrates on the business of simply making music in venues across the country with capacities from 5,000 to 10,000 seats.
Dirk Schulz manned the FOH position and was using an SD7 for the first time. "A lot of top artists are demanding an SD7 in their technical rider," he says. "That brought the console to my attention. From there, I did extensive research and also took the time to get some training before the start of the tour. Even though this is the first time I've worked on an SD7, it didn't present me with any problems. Far from it. It was also a great pleasure for me to work with Roger Wagener, who is the tour's system engineer. He is able to use an SD7 blindfolded and gave me lots of tips.
"The SD7 is very easy to use, absolutely reliable and has an amazing sound quality. Whether the band is performing full on rock, or their quieter numbers, the SD7 reproduces their sound quality perfectly."
Mando Diao's tour continues into the winter, playing larger venues in Stuttgart, Nuremberg, Munich, Frankfurt, Dortmund, Hanover, Berlin, Hamburg and Duesseldorf.
(Jim Evans)
