Eurovision Winner Mans Zelmerlöw Tours Europe with Mackie DL32R and Dante

Now in its 60th year, the Eurovision Song Contest is one of Europe's most-watched events, with hundreds of millions tuning in across the Continent. The contest has launched the careers of such artists as ABBA and Celine Dion. Even before his triumphant win at the 2015 ESC, singer Måns Zelmerlöw was already a star in his native Sweden, with a decade-long career that spans recording, television, and theater. Since winning Eurovision, Zelmerlöw has been expanding his base, touring throughout Europe and beyond in support of his current album, Perfectly Damaged.

Handling FOH and Monitors on dual Mackie DL32R iPad controlled digital mixers is Sebastian Meyer of Meyer Production Sweden. As Meyer observes, networking the two mixers via Dante has been a powerful and effective way to mix the five-piece band.

"We're using all 32 inputs for the band, and all 32 outputs to create stereo mixes for in-ears and additional monitor wedges," he says. "By networking the mixers via Dante, I can use one DL32R for the house mix, and the other for monitors. Everyone likes a different mix, and this enables me to create completely different mixes for each musician, with different EQ and dynamics, and as many effects for each mix as I need."

Meyer even uses the DL32R to interface with his laptop running an external DAW. "I've got some nice high-end reverb plug-ins, and the DL32R enables me to connect my DAW and use it as an FX loop. It's fantastic." A hard disk connected to the second USB port captures a multi-track recording of each show.

Meyer's mix rig comprises dual iPad Minis on a small wedge. "I could run it all on one iPad or use both for a bigger display, but I like to have a different device for each one, so if someone wants to make a quick adjustment it's all right there," he offers. He keeps a larger iPad onstage for convenience, and gives each of the four backing musicians their own iPod Touch to control their individual monitor mixes. "A lot of engineers on tour see my setup, and they ask me how I can work on just a Wi-Fi connection," Meyer says. "I run two routers and two DL32R mixers, and with the Dante connection it's completely redundant, so if anything goes down, I have a seamless backup. So far, in over 100 dates, we have not had a single dropout or problem."

Having literally grown up backstage -- his father founded the touring company they now both run -- Meyer has had his fingers on the faders of all manner of mixing consoles, from analog to digital, massive to petite. For him, the DL32R represents a whole new way of mixing. "It's really fast, really easy to use. Setting up other mixers, getting around them, making changes -- it takes time. With the DL32R, I can just come to the gig, set up, and I'm ready to go."