Cats get the cream as Midas PRO6 stars in new South African production
A Midas PRO6 live audio system is being used for a new production of Cats the Musical which has opened in Johannesburg. The PRO6 was specified by Mark Malherbe from Prosound, which has also provided the audio equipment for the show.
“The previous production of Cats in South Africa in 2001 used an analogue console, and I wanted to use this opportunity to not only go digital but to get the PRO6 into the country,” says Malherbe.
Prosound’s involvement in the earlier production was somewhat limited, with the majority of technical skills provided by System Sound of Australia, and the company used the experience to learn from them. “The level of preparation and dedication to detail by the System team was unprecedented at that time in the local theatre industry. Prosound took full advantage of this opportunity and has since adopted many of the same principles of operation, albeit in a manner more suited to their environment.
“Things have moved on and when this latest production was mooted, Prosound provided a proposal that was approved by Pieter Tourien Productions to provide all aspects of the sound requirements for the show, including local design.”
At the heart of the system, providing the bulk of the mixing and show control, the Midas PRO6 handles all of the 28 cast radio microphones and the orchestra channels. In addition, it provides all the midi triggers to the auxiliary consoles (rhythm section and sound effects control) and sound effects software package. The console’s flexible output configuration allows the numerous feeds, monitors, stage feeds, press and main system outputs to easily be provided and managed.
In addition the Midas remote stage box has meant that cabling installation is quick and unobtrusive with only two CAT5 cables from FOH to stage. The console’s full complement of 64 input channels are used for this production.
“The change to the PRO6 has meant that the audio fidelity in terms of EQ and mic front end has remained,” says Malherbe, who is extremely happy with the results he’s obtained from the system on this show, and believes that Prosound has again set a benchmark for others to follow. “It’s given us the huge benefit of a smaller footprint, as well as having all show control integral to the console. Overall, the PRO6’s ease of operation and storage, plus the ability to add finesse, simply wouldn’t have been feasible in the analogue domain.”
Cats started its run at the Teatro at Montecasino and will move to the recently-revamped Artscape theatre in Cape Town in late November for a two-month season.
Photo: Prosound’s Mark Malherbe and the Midas PRO6 on Cats