Using the Roland V-Drums, V-Pianos, new GAIA synth and other instruments provided, festival performers were able to rehearse and warm-up, hearing their own output through the M-48 system and headphones while other guests in the VIP marquee enjoyed the hospitality undisturbed. Visitors to the Roland stage included Britpop specialists Blurb and Oasish.
"Many performers find that the M-48 Live Personal Mixer is a breath of fresh air for live performers," says RSG marketing manager Martin Thomas. "It provides a way for each musician to monitor exactly what they want to - their order, their grouping, their levels, EQs, reverb - whatever. The M-48 enables control of up to 40 audio channels via 16 stereo groups, so you don't have to share the same sources in the same order as everyone else, a truly personal and unique mix can finally be achieved by each player."
Roland professional audio equipment could be found all over the 4-stage Glastonbudget festival site. OneBigStar made the most of the RSS digital snakes' labour and cost-saving benefits, especially on the impressive main stage. In the large big-top tent which housed the B stage, engineers were mixing front-of-house on a RSS M-400 V-Mixing System, whilst the new RSS M-380 compact digital console was on duty in the marquee housing the third performance venue. Across all stages, Roland amplifiers were being used for backline, and even the main stage video graphics were being output and mixed on an Edirol V-400HD and CG8.
"Glastonbudget was quite a statement for us," says RSG's Martin Thomas. "It clearly demonstrated that our professional audio and video brands can perform effectively at a high commercial level. But this partnership with the Glastonbudget team draws on Roland's long-established strength and reputation in live music and instrumentation - the 'Silent Stage' is a great concept for the festival industry, but it's also good to see professional musicians lining up to go nuts on the new TD20-KX V-Drum kits."
(Jim Evans)
