HD Pro Audio Provides New Digidesign VENUE SC48 for Paloma Faith Debut Single Gig at the BBC

19 June 2009 10.00 BST

A day after its UK launch, the new Digidesign VENUE SC48 was in use on a Sam Kruger production at BBC Maida Vale Studio 3, with PA provided by Capital Sound. The show was arranged by the BBC for Paloma Faith to perform her new single 'Stone Cold Sober', a BBC record of the week, and other tracks from her forthcoming debut album 'Do You Want The Truth Or Something Beautiful'. The event was recorded for ‘Radio 2 Introduces... Paloma Faith’, part of Dermot O'Leary's show due to be aired on Saturday 20 June.

On FOH was engineer Peter Whitelaw, “The show was the first to fully showcase the complexity and dynamic diversity of Paloma’s song writing. With 15 people on stage, including brass, strings, and backing vocals, I knew I needed a dynamic and comprehensive console. The Profile would have been my normal choice, as I'm a big fan of it, but with the launch of the SC48 I was keen to get my hands on the new console and test it out. With its launch being the night before, we got it just in time for the show thanks to Andy Huffer and HD Pro Audio”.

“With all 48 channels being used and every bit of DSP maxed out (can't get enough of the Eventide plug-ins). I well and truly tested it out. It worked like a familiar friend with some very useful enhancements. Being able to keep a finger on Paloma’s lead vocal via the Center Flex Channel, which provides immediate access to any key input without having to go through fader layers, was comforting as I flipped through the 4 banks. The new LED colour coded aux / EQ / dynamics section is another very welcome improvement”

“The VCA spill feature looks promising and useful as I become more familiar with the console. Its definitely a desk I'm looking forward to using and exploring more again on Paloma; her schedule is exploding so the tiny foot print and truck space it takes up are another great asset, and I'm thinking about using it on Sophie Ellis Bextor in the coming months”.

Sam Kruger commented “From my point of view the SC48 means that even though this is a new artist, I have an affordable option that can deal with the complexities of such a production at an early stage in her career, rather than having to compromise with whatever we're given. Paloma is a rising star and, thanks to this desk, we can showcase her at the level of much bigger, more expensive dates. We plan to carry one for all of her key shows and festivals over the coming months; as the artist grows this element of the production doesn't need to change to grow with her as it’s already up to the highest standard”.

HD Pro Audio: www.hdproaudio.co.uk
Digidesign: www.digidesign.com
Sam Kruger Associates: www.ska-limited.co.uk