LONDON — ADLIB Audio is supplying a Nexo Alpha sound system and crew to Paolo Nutini and his first UK production tour. The system was specified by FOH engineer Graham "Hutch" Hutchison. He started with the artist in the summer and has worked with ADLIB on numerous previous occasions, as has monitor engineer Rob Coles. Hutch opted for the Nexo Alpha, as opposed to a line array system, because of the nature of the venues on the itinerary. They wanted a selection of boxes that they could put all over the rooms – from Rock City to The London Forum. The full configuration is eight M3 tops, six B1 bass and four S2 subs per side. "The policy is to put them in, turn it up, and when it's in our face, we're happy," says Hutch.
System processing is via Nexo's proprietary NX242s, and amplification is a combination of Camco 28.4s, 32.4s and V6 Vortecs. Compression is a mix of dbx 160s, 1066s and 160As, and the gates are Drawmer.
ADLIB's crew of Hassane Essiahi and Richie Nicholson are ensuring that everything runs smoothly day-to-day in audio world. "It's a great band and crew to be working with," says Essiahi. "Paolo's career is on a real roll; the sound is superb, and the shows are all sold out. There are also some excellent people on the tour." He adds that it's great to be working with engineers as experienced and prolific as Hutch and Coles.
Hutch is mixing using a Midas H3000 console at FOH, which has enough channels to accommodate the opening act.
He uses an SPL Channel 1 valve preamp on Paolo's vocal in conjunction with the new Shure KSH 9 mic, which he thinks is a great combination to emphasize the richness and deep texture of Nutini's voice. The mic was originally suggested by Coles as a solution to the artist's tendency to cup the mic close to his hand and sing either very close to it – or hold it right away from him. The rest of the band use Sennheiser wired mics.
In creative terms, Hutch produces a loud and assertive, but not overpowering mix, all the time emphasizing its vintage tone.
A standard ADLIB FOH effects racks sits alongside the H3000, containing two SPX 990s, a Lexicon PCM 70, a TC D2 delay and a TC M3000 reverb.
Onstage, Rob Coles mixes monitors from stage right, utilizing one of ADLIB's Yamaha PM5D consoles and maximizing all its onboard processing.
There are three pairs of ADLIB's MP3 wedges for Paulo and the two guitarists, and the drummer has a pair of wired PMs and a thumper seat. "They play well, and he has a great voice," says Coles, adding that this makes his job very straightforward. Monitor amps are Crown Pulse and there's a dbx Drive Rack for processing.
For more press info. check www.adlibaudio.co.uk.
