The Neue Philharmonie Berlin on Tour with Stage Tec

	Stage Tec's Cresendo platinum as FOH console at the Latin-Jazz Sinfónica! der Neuen Philharmoniker. Photo: Nicole Weihmann, Kreativagentur 1punkt7

The Neue Philharmonie Berlin is touring Germany with a sophisticated cross-over program featuring Latin, jazz, and classical music supported by Stage Tec, the Berlin-based manufacturer. An orchestra of 65 classical musicians, jazz musicians, and Latin percussionists plays the Latin-Jazz Sinfónica! Live mixes are undertaken with a Cresendo platinum mixing console. 120 TrueMatch microphone inputs in a Nexus network record the large orchestra and rhythm section. "The unusual placement of the rhythm section with congas, marimbas, and drum kit in front of the classical orchestra poses a challenge for sound reinforcement," commented sound designer Christian Fuchs. "Additionally, the changing venues are demanding in terms of acoustics and demand a lot from the live mix. After all, the mix should be a listening experience for the audience." Fuchs, application specialist for theatre and live, has over 10 years' experience with classical open-air concerts. He is accompanying the tour as the sound engineer on the Cresendo.

The Cresendo platinum has 32 faders and serves as the front-of-house mixing console. A brand-new feature was employed when creating the pre-mix for monitoring the rhythm section. This is predestined for sound reinforcement rehearsals and will be included in the upcoming software release: the bypass function for each aux VCA individually. The VCA hierarchy has also been tested successfully.

The Cresendo is embedded in a Nexus network with six base devices and equipped with three powerful RMDQ DSP boards. Since Nexus does not require any fans and is therefore completely silent in operation, the base devices can be simply distributed on stage. One Nexus stands in front of the conductor, where percussion and drums are placed. A second Nexus works at the monitoring desk, which is connected via Dante. Two Nexus' are placed at the FOH Cresendo console, and two further base devices are distributed in the orchestra.

The Neue Philharmonie orchestra is a non-profit limited company with two goals. On the one hand, it enables outstanding musicians from all over the world to gain orchestral practice and expand their repertoire. On the other, the Neue Philharmonie wants to bring classical music to small and mid-sized German towns which cannot afford their own orchestra.

Latin-Jazz Sinfónica! is the first cross-over concert given by the Neue Philharmonie. World music, jazz, and classical music merge in original compositions and arrangements of popular melodies in a way never heard before.

An independent company based in Berlin, Germany, Stage Tec Entwicklungsgesellschaft für professionelle Audiotechnik GmbH has specialized in developing and manufacturing digital audio equipment. Its flagship products include the digital routers Nexus and Nexus STAR as well as the professional mixing consoles Aurus platinum, Cresendo platinum, Auratus, and On Air flex.

Assisted by a business partner, Stage Tec was established in 1993 by 13 engineers (nearly all of whom still work there). The company is headed by Dr. Helmut Jahne, who was one of the founding members of the Stage Tec team and who continues to drive the technological supremacy of the product lines.