SPITZ JAMBOREE TOUR 2009 “Sazanami OTR custom” arena tour with MIDAS PRO6!
Japanese band Spitz have embarked on their first arena shows with a Midas PRO6 live audio system. Previously Spitz had performed in more intimate venues in Japan and Korea, but due to their incredible popularity in cities like Tokyo and Osaka, arena venues are their only choice so as not to disappoint fans.
The PRO6 was supplied by edition GASPARD, Inc. whose president Mr Chosokabe worked alongside Mr Shimada, FOH engineer and president of y-yard, Co., to ensure that the essential ‘rock’ sound was maintained for the tour.
Mr Chosokabe, who is also the first PRO6 user in Japan, explains: “When the Midas XL8 was launched, I was hoping for a product like PRO6. I have waited along time for a compact digital console with the name Midas on it. I wanted that unique Midas sound with the characteristics of the XL3 and Heritage 2000 that I have used in the past.”
“We worked very closely with EVI Audio Japan for the PRO6’s debut in Japan.” continues FOH engineer Mr Shimada. “We wanted to create a system that would work for both XL8 and PRO6 as we would move from an XL8 to a PRO6 halfway through the tour. When the move happened it was seamless.
“It has been an interesting experience for me to use an XL8 and PRO6 with the same artist. The show was initially set up on the XL8, but the transition to the PRO6 went very smoothly. EVI Audio Japan supplied all the technical assistance that we asked for, so we had no real technical issues.
“As to the difference between XL8 and PRO6, there is the obvious size difference, but as to the way they operator there is very little between them. We retained the DL451 I/O from the XL8, all the effects remained the same – everything just worked. I was very impressed. When the sound quality didn’t change I was absolutely astounded.
“Other than the different number of channels and screens, the console operation is very similar. All we had to deal with was the matter of downsizing the line and channel count, and virtually all the show data just transferred from the XL8 to the PRO6 via USB. It was just fantastic. The PRO6 is a brilliant balance between price and size.”
Commenting on the arena venues, Mr Shimada says; “This is the first time we have done arenas so we wanted to make sure the intimate feel you get in halls was not lost. We made the sound a little heavier so that audiences could feel the as though they were closer to the stage. I am starting to really enjoy mixing in such large venues; I have various ideas about how to make it sound even better for the audience and the PRO6 is the ideal tool, its capabilities seem endless.
“The PRO6 is really compact and requires very little outboard gear, so when the crew and the band walk past they have been surprised at how small it is and are amazed that it is does everything its asked to do. It is just fantastic. PRO6 is already in high demand; however I expect demand to increase, especially when people realise it sounds just like the XL8.”
Photo: Mr Shimada, president of y-yard, Co. and Mr Chosokabe, president of edition GASPARD, Inc with the PRO6
Photo: PRO6 Training with EVI Audio Japan’s Takayuki Ozaki
Photo: Spitz Jamaboree Sound Check
Photo: Spitz Jamboree Tour 2009 © Grass Hopper™
Photo: Spitz SAZANAMI OTR © Grass Hopper™
(The attached photo(s) may only be published in conjunction with this press release. Written permission from EVI Audio Japan, LTD. must be obtained prior to any other use of the photographic material.)