DiGiCo SD10B Hits a New High Note at Glyndebourne

In 1998, audio production companies Andy Rose Consultants (ARC) and Sound Moves used a Soundtracs DPC-II digital console to broadcast two live operas from the Glyndebourne Opera in Sussex. Thirteen years on, the same two companies have facilitated another live broadcast for the same place, this time using the DPC-II's latest successor, the DiGiCo SD10B.

The performance of Wagner's Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg, was broadcast live on June 26 to 19 cinemas throughout England, Scotland, and across Europe, as well as on the Guardian newspaper's website.

Rose, and Steve Williams, of Sound Moves, originally worked together at Fleetwood Mobiles in 1988. Ever since, they have collaborated on a wide range of projects, with the broadcast of the 1998 Glyndebourne operas (Rodelinda and Simon Boccanegra) using Williams' DPC-II, which was the first of its kind purchased by a UK user. Those operas were broadcast in stereo, but 13 years of further audio innovation and Digico's latest console meant that Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg (and Benjamin Britten's The Turn of the Screw, to be broadcast live on August 21) was broadcast in 5.1 surround sound.

"The SD10B was the ideal console for this application because we were doing a 5.1 mix," says Williams. "No other console, specifically within the budget, fits that particular application. It has the right footprint for these events -- our mix position is right under the stage, so there isn't a lot of room-- yet it gives us full control over the large number of input sources with ease. On top of that, the sound quality is fantastic.

"We specified the desk to be fitted with the new, faster, fully redundant Optocore system, which supports up to fourteen 192KHz racks. Specifying the SD10B also allowed us to continue to use some of our existing A-D converters from the DPC-II and our D Series racks -- all of this meant that we didn't need to commit to a full blown, all-new 192KHz system from day one. We also see it as a big plus for being able to source audio from many stages at live events."

The performance of Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg saw over 100 inputs from both the stage and orchestra pits mixed by Rose on the SD10B. Despite never having used the console before, Andy's familiarity with other DiGiCo mixers meant that he had no trouble adapting.

"I'm very familiar with DiGiCo's older desks and a lot of their characteristics are carried forward into the SD10B, so I have found it easy to use, definitely so in the 5.1 environment," says Rose. "Sound quality has certainly never been an issue with DiGiCo desks -- the mic pre amps sound very nice. I've had no issues with sound quality at all."

"It is very easy to use," confirms Williams. "From our point of view, the less support that we have to give a client to make a job happen successfully, the better."

One of the particular advantages that the SD10B brought to the project was that a Dolby Digital-calibrated speaker level system could be set up precisely where it was needed, meaning that a Dolby-approved level was achievable and allowed the 5.1 mix to be done in a highly controlled environment.

Another great thing about using a DiGiCo product is that we know who all the guys are, we're able to give them a call and their backup is second to none. We just don't get that from any other manufacturer," says Williams.

"I'm a fan of moving things forward, it's good to improve facilities and ease of working," adds Rose. "I'm also a fan of reliability and sound quality, all of which apply to this desk."