Appearing before an invited audience of 140 - with his 11-piece Sky Orchestra looking like they had migrated from the cast of a BBC costume drama - Roth was filmed for a forthcoming DVD to support the album. It also provided a break from the normal '@coustix' Wednesday night talent sessions run by promoter Tony Moore (of Kashmir Klub fame).
Moore, the former Cutting Crew keyboard player, has a long history with Soundcraft, who provided a 24-channel MH4 to Roth's sound engineer Martin Leissner to mix the show - which also incorporated a new Sky guitar concerto. Leissner has been working with the Scorpions legend since 2000 - but with Soundcraft boards for a lot longer than that, recalling that his induction had been on a vintage 800B. He had also mixed Roth's Metamorphosis album (for SPV Records) at the latter's Sky Studio in Aberystwyth.
"My first show with Uli was with the big orchestra production requiring 80 channels - so I was thrown right in at the deep end," he recalls. The Balham show required a good deal less, with the orchestra, augmented by DAT and CD backing track, taking up around 18 inputs on the desk. "It's a very easy desk to use, with a good feel to it," appraised Leissner, who had little need for his outboard processing, relying instead on the natural characteristics of the beautifully authentic room. The MH4 can be used for FOH, monitors (or monitors from FOH), with a brand new bussing system that gives maximum flexibility, whilst retaining the Soundcraft principles of intuitive operation and the benefits of new mic pre and EQ designs.
As for Tony Moore, he is thoroughly enjoying his time south of the river while the Kashmir Klub awaits its much-anticipated relocation to new premises.
(Ruth Rossington)
