Managing director Richard Rogers was first exposed to Yamaha's latest generation console - which shares design elements of both the DM2000 and PM1D - at a Marquee Audio open day at RADA. "As soon as I saw it I knew there was no other choice, and that we had to have one."
He praised the role of Marquee Audio as being instrumental in the company's move into digital. "This not only applies to the PM5D, but also our previous purchases into the theatre market. We've taken advantage of their excellent product knowledge, and it is comforting to have that support as we move further into networked audio solutions."
He continued: "I had anticipated that the desk would primarily be used for cabaret applications, but since purchasing our first PM5D in July, it has become popular not only for the music-based projects, but also for the more challenging business presentations."
The PM5D comes in two configurations, but the profile of Blitz's core business in the corporate sector obviated the need for the recallable mic preamps (available on the RH version of the desk) although Richard confirms that future purchases into the theatre market will probably follow the RH route. Featuring a 'one box' design - including the mix engine - the PM5D offers 64 input channels (48 mono plus four stereo analogue inputs, four internal stereo returns) of 96 kHz audio with 32-bit internal processing. Outputs include 24 mix, two stereo (ST A and B or L-C-R), eight matrix, eight mute groups and eight DCAs (Digitally Controlled Amplifiers). Richard says he has become a complete convert and looks to spec the desk on every occasion.
"I particularly like the ability to 'grab' additional EQ, delay, compression or gating 'on the fly' as the corporate shows don't often give me much set-up or rehearsal time before launching into a show." And as for the preamps, he remarks, "I have heard nothing but praise for the quality of the audio path through the desk. All of which made a second purchase "pretty much inevitable." Richard Rogers confirms that the move into the digital domain has increased demand for the company's existing DM2000's, as engineers become more comfortable with that way of working. "Personally, I may well have come late to the 'digital party', but it really does seem to have 'come of age' this year."
And to exemplify the compatibility between the digital desks in the company's itinerary he cites the recent HBOS project at the NEC as representing a perfect case-study of how both PM5D's and a DM2000 were able to run FOH positions in different halls. "And as for engineer feedback," he says, "most seem to say that they would find difficulty going back to the analogue route now."(Sarah Rushton-Read)
