Duplicating the sound system for rehearsals away from the site was fairly straight forward, having two PM1Ds one at the rehearsal site, one in Leicester Square, simplified things further, as Bracey explained. "I rehearsed with the orchestra live; this is a 50-piece orchestra and when you add in the effects I was using 64 channels, and taking full advantage of the desks on-board dynamics. Having identical desks meant I could just arrive with the orchestra and a PCMIA card and we were away. Exact duplication of every setting I’d made 40 minutes earlier and ten miles away. Without the quality of Yamaha¹s flagship digital desk that’s something that would just not have been possible or practical a couple of years ago."
Presented by Amanda Davis of AD Events, the premier event set precise goals for Bracey: "My brief was to make it sound powerful. With my general concept of using the two desks, Brit Row’s careful logistical planning, and the systems acute predictability I knew this could sound natural and still have added power." Dave Arnold, leader of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, summed up the event thus. "What I could hear from my position was very exciting, it made me want to be out there enjoying it with every one else."
(Lee Baldock)
