LONDON – John Saunders Productions (JSP), which now has five DiGiCo SD8 consoles in its inventory, is continuing to stoke nostalgia with a West End production and separate tour for Thriller Live, a tribute to Michael Jackson, and the West End production of The Rat Pack Live from Las Vegas.
"In the past, I have made purchasing decisions based on who could offer me the best deal," said JSP owner, John Saunders. "But sound designers have very definite ideas about what they want and they tend to stick to that, so it's hard to compete if you don't carry the kit they want to work with. It's all about quality."
Along with the DiGiCo SD8s, JSP production sound systems include d&b loudspeakers, Sennheiser PMs and Shure microphones.
Running since 2006, Thriller Live serves up two hours of hit songs and classic dance routines. Sound designer Chris Whybrow made the decision to use the SD8 when the previous touring production outgrew its original desk.
"We'd got to the point where we couldn't expand that console any more," he said. "It was the SD8's expandability and the fact that it does so much more than the one I was using before that appealed to me. We can still expand the SD8 if we need to as it's nowhere near full and, because we were going to be doing a variety of different venues – theatres, arenas, concert halls – that was extremely important. It has proved the perfect choice."
Thriller Live features two SD8s, one at FOH and one at monitors. One has also recently been put to used for the West End production of The Rat Pack Live from Las Vegas.
"I'm using all the snapshots and all the global scope, so each scene can recall a completely different sound if we need it to. And, the new Overdrive software makes it an even more valuable tool," said Whybrow. "The onboard effects are great and I'm using AES direct to the amps, which has really improved the sound. The system sounds a lot cleaner and crisper, when compared to the show's original design."
The JSP crew is also using the RME Madiface to make multitrack recordings during rehearsals and shows, allowing them to use the playback to immediately make any adjustments, if necessary, without the musicians having to be present.
"We have an ‘electric' band who are all on Sennheiser in-ears, so when we use the recordings, it's as if the band really is there because we don't get any spill from the stage," said Whybrow, who also credited the SD8 for being easy to learn.
"We don't have a lot of time with the band, so the ability to do multitrack recording allows us to do a hell of a lot more," he said.
The Thriller Live tour's front of house engineer is Robin Conway, who called the SD8 "a great console. The layout of the control surface is excellent, and it's very intuitive to use.
"We're playing venues that range from around 1,700 to 4,000 capacity, and when we change venues, I can get the desk broken down and set up again in literally seconds. It's light, so the crew like it, promoters are happy because it's so compact and the multitrack recording works with just one button push."
Conway added, "I've just done the Overdrive software upgrade, which gives me even more processing power. It's unparalleled value for the money – I want one for myself."
The touring production of Thriller Live is heading east, with stops planned for Japan, China and Australia. JSP also expects to put its consoles to use on other upcoming productions as well.
"I will probably be purchasing at least one more console to help cover the U.S. tour later in the year, and a further two to replace existing consoles, which will mean we should have eight SD8s by the end of the summer," said Saunders.
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