Zoom-in Online

This blog was submitted by Adam Brawerman, Zoom In Online's Music Channel assistant. 

Metallica is on the road with their "World Magnetic Tour" and has taken a new approach to live sound design.  Using Apogee AD-16X converters (and then eventually DA-16X converters just before the speakers) audio information is sent digitally via fiber optic cables  to the speakers.  This eliminates interference associated with long runs of analogue speaker cable as well as simplifying setup and drastically reducing a nightmarish patch bay.  Even the mixing is done on a digital platform, which has its advantages on an extensive tour.  

While analogue systems require you to start from scratch each time you mix, a digital set-up allows you to save settings so that you only have to tweak the system in each venue.  You are also able to process groups, using a graphic EQ for example, as opposed to an individual channel basis.  This is particularly useful in large productions such as Metallica's where multiple channels are used for each instrument.  Any band with a drummer would benefit from group processing for that matter.

When the band decided they wanted to do their live show "in-the-round" (a circular stage in the middle of the arena with speakers pointing outward in every direction) front of house engineer "Big Mick" knew they had to come up with a creative approach to live sound design.  Using digital processing they are able to combat problems such as the bass bouncing around and getting out of control.

Digital conversion is already at the forefront in the recording end of the music business, and it was only a matter of time before lives shows started incorporating it in their traditional productions.  Apogee makes conversion possible using the AD/DA-16x units  with the same superior quality Logic users have come to expect from  the Ensemble and Duet recording interfaces.

For more information, check out this article in Mix magazine, as well description of the digital conversion on Apogee's website.