
BRIT Award winner and chart-topping singer-songwriter George Ezra has been back on the road in support of his second studio album Staying at Tamara's. To handle the mix at both FOH and monitor positions, Monitor Engineer Ollie Weeks' company, Stylus Productions, supplied a DiGiCo control package comprising an SD12 at FOH and an SD10 in monitor world.
After a couple of years working with number one selling Ezra, the move from academy-size venues to arenas was inevitable, as was the move to an intuitive, DiGiCo set up.
We won the contract based partly on having the right gear, but also due to our ability as a young company to dedicate a lot of resources to serving the project and design a very bespoke, high-quality touring package, recalls Weeks. In our early discussions, Mike and I came to the mutual decision to share a DiGiCo SD-Rack with gain control at my end. It worked really well, but as the show has expanded, we've added an extra SD-Rack and two SD-Nano Racks.
As a long-standing DiGiCo user, choosing the SD10 for monitor duties was an easy decision for Weeks. I like having the aux masters in the centre with channel faders either side and I love the flexibility of the SD10 surface, he says. I use the custom layers on the desk extensively; I mix with my left hand over George's FX and my right hand over his vocal and crowd mics, which I'm constantly riding throughout the show.
Ollie and were sharing the SD Rack via Optocore at 48k, adds FOH Engineer Mike Timm. Sharing a stage box has been a blessing when working on flip-flop stages. Everything exits the SD12 - from four matrixes via AES to a Lake LM44 for system EQ tweaks.
Timm mixes the show in groups. I have 12 groups pretty much permanently assigned to the right-hand fader bank on the SD12. I rarely move this bank away from these groups once the show is underway.
With four banks of faders, all with associated FX returns, Timm is able to tweak any inputs as required. I love the way the two screens and associated encoders on the SD12 make not moving my hand off the money' channels so easy, he said.
The show runs to timecode which is converted to MIDI timecode and fed to a PC running a basic version of Steinberg Cubase. This then triggers various Macros on the SD12 via MIDI. I have Macros that change the thresholds of gates on the snare and tom channels, revealed Timm. For example, on one song in particular, the drummer plays fairly quiet on the snare in the verses but smashes the cymbals in the choruses. Cubase is programmed in this song to control the Macros via MIDI.
I find this much better than using snapshots as I can independently tweak without having to update each one. Timecode is also sent via MIDI to the SD12 to recall snapshots at the beginning of each song. This gives me the freedom to concentrate on listening to and mixing the music. I really like the workflow of the SD12. I think it helps me to enjoy mixing the show every day.
Weeks added: I use the Macros on my SD10 in a variety of ways. One example is for the routing and unmuting of multiple talk mics to different sources. During rehearsals or soundcheck, we can all talk to each other, but when it's show time, none of the musicians are distracted by technical chatter, individual technicians can talk to their respective departments as required.
Every arena show is recorded to a MacBook Pro via a Waves DMI card into Waves Trackslive for virtual soundcheck and reference. Timm said: I use a Ferrofish A16 Ultra Mk2 to convert MADI from the console to ADAT. This allows me to interface digitally with UAD Apollo Quads at really low latency, and also to provide analogue I/O for any analogue outboard I use.
Ezras vocal chain is analogue from the stage to FOH. A Focusrite ISA220 is used as preamp and EQ which is then fed into a Lindell Audio 500 Series Vintage Compressor and into a BSS DPR-901 for some dynamic EQ and into the insert return point of the vocal group. I can then apply more EQ as needed and even more compression via the SD12's onboard EQ and dynamics, Timm noted.
The FOH Engineer also uses a Waves H-Delay for vocal delays and utilises a Lexicon PCM-91 connected to his DiGiCo console via AES for Ezras vocal reverbs.
DiGiCo will also be deployed into Stylus Productions' future touring projects. Weeks said: With George, I need a high-channel count, which the SD10 affords, but I'm also very excited about the new Quantum software on the SD7 - being able to send individual treatments to different auxs from the same channel is an amazing new function.
Following a successful arena run in the UK, the tour ventured to Australia in early-2019, where both engineers continued to specify DiGiCo consoles for what Timm described as a polished pop show . Achieving this sound by adapting the rig for the next leg of the campaign was very straightforward.
Timm happily concluded: When we initially had the budget to move from using in-house venue consoles in the UK, it was suggested that I try out DiGiCo by our Production Manager. Touring worldwide, I've haven't looked back since!
Press Contacts:
Maria Fiorellino at DiGiCo
Tel: +44 1372 845600
Email: maria@digiconsoles.com
Web: www.digico.biz
Sarah James at Gasoline Media
Tel: +44 1483 223333
Email: sarahj@gasolinemedia.com
I love the way the two screens and associated encoders on the SD12 make not moving my hand off the money' channels so easy
FOH Engineer, Mike Timm
Most recent headlines
05/01/2027
Worlds first 802.15.4ab-UWB chip verified by Calterah and Rohde & Schwarz to be ...
01/06/2026
January 6 2026, 05:30 (PST) Dolby Sets the New Standard for Premium Entertainment at CES 2026
Throughout the week, Dolby brings to life the latest innovatio...
02/05/2026
Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, t...
01/05/2026
January 5 2026, 18:30 (PST) NBCUniversal's Peacock to Be First Streamer to ...
01/04/2026
January 4 2026, 18:00 (PST) DOLBY AND DOUYIN EMPOWER THE NEXT GENERATON OF CREATORS WITH DOLBY VISION
Douyin Users Can Now Create And Share Videos With Stun...
05/03/2026
Clear-Com has provided Gen-IC virtual intercom, its cloud-based voice communications system for SaxaVord Spaceport, the first fully licensed vertical launch s...
05/03/2026
The Hollywood Professional Association (HPA) concluded the 2026 HPA Tech Retreat, convening more than 800 industry leaders, technologists, creatives and executi...
05/03/2026
LynTec, a leading manufacturer of electrical power control solutions for professional audio, video, and lighting systems, today announced that its new Dual DMX ...
05/03/2026
Snicket Labs is pleased to announce a new distribution partnership with ES Broadcast for its award winning solutions, Match and Enrich.
Under the agreement, ES...
05/03/2026
LiveU today announced the first large-scale deployment of its AI-driven LiveU IQ (LIQ ) technology at a global, multi-venue sporting event, setting a new benchm...
04/03/2026
Lega Basket Serie A (LBA), the governing body for Italy's premier basketball...
04/03/2026
Wrexham AFC co-chairmen Rob Mac and Ryan Reynolds will host a first-of-its-kind ...
04/03/2026
The countdown is underway and with just 100 days to go until the world's greatest sporting event begins on Thurs., June 11, FOX Sports, America's Englis...
04/03/2026
No matter where they are in the world, service members and veterans can stream N...
04/03/2026
Telemundo officially releases Somos M s, the anthem for the network's cove...
04/03/2026
The Hollywood Professional Association (HPA) concluded the 2026 HPA Tech Retreat, convening more than 800 industry leaders, technologists, creatives, and execut...
04/03/2026
Smith Entertainment Group transformed how local sports are consumed by creating ...
04/03/2026
The production method, which spans a distance of 36.2 miles, was designed and im...
04/03/2026
Haivision, a global provider of mission-critical, real-time video networking and...
04/03/2026
When Hugues Meyrath came out of retirement to take the helm as CEO of Quantum, i...
04/03/2026
Last week's launch of Banana Ball Championship League has spurred a significant upgrade of production facilities
The Savannah Bananas, arguably the hottest...
04/03/2026
sldkfjsdlfkjsldkfjsldkjfslkdjfslkdjfsl
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus...
04/03/2026
For many fans, a song's backstory can be just as compelling as the final pro...
04/03/2026
In 2006, Spotify was founded on the belief that technology could bring artists a...
04/03/2026
Spotify is back on the ground for the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, and we...
04/03/2026
Spotify had an energizing week in Sydney, Australia, filled with powerful conver...
04/03/2026
Earlier this year, we launched Directed By, a documentary-style series that pull...
04/03/2026
100 Days to Go: SBS Unveils World Class Team for The Greatest Show on Earth -The...
04/03/2026
KT and Rohde & Schwarz to showcase AI-enhanced radio transmission performance In a joint 6G AI proof-of-concept demonstration, the CMX500 one-box tester from ...
04/03/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
04/03/2026
Luxembourg, 3 March 2026 - SES S.A. has today published its 2025 Annual Report, following the announcement of the company's full year financial results for ...
04/03/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
04/03/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
04/03/2026
Luxembourg, March 3, 2026 - SES, a leading space solutions company, along with I...
04/03/2026
04 Mar 2026
VEON Partners with GSMA Innovation Fund to Accelerate Digital Innov...
04/03/2026
04 Mar 2026
VEON's Beeline Uzbekistan and Rakuten Symphony Partner for Open...
04/03/2026
Wednesday 4 March 2026
Sky Sports unveils plans for 2026 Formula 1 coverage
Sky Sports is preparing for one of the most highly anticipated F1 seasons in recen...
04/03/2026
Back to All News
Bloodhounds' Season 2 Gears Up for April 3 Premiere with ...
04/03/2026
Back to All News
Netflix Ads Suite Expands Capabilities
Business
04 March 2026
GlobalUnited States
Link copied to clipboard
After launching the Netflix Ad...
04/03/2026
Scripps Research welcomes healthcare innovator Joe Kiani to the Board of Directors Kiani brings decades of experience in patient safety and public service.
Mar...
04/03/2026
Nanoparticle vaccine approach takes on a new target: Hepatitis C virus Scripps Research scientists reengineer critical proteins on the surface of HCV, paving th...
03/03/2026
Beyond Sports, a Sony group company, and LIV Golf, the world's golf league, ...
03/03/2026
Ilitch Sports + Entertainment announces the launch of Detroit SportsNet (DSN), a year-round broadcast home for two of Detroit's franchises. With flexible op...
03/03/2026
Advanced Systems Group, LLC (ASG), a technology and services provider for media ...
03/03/2026
The PGA of America, NBC Sports and USA Sports extend their media rights agreemen...
03/03/2026
AI device ecosystem company HONOR enters into a strategic technical collaboratio...
03/03/2026
Cleveland's Telos Alliance, pioneers in broadcast technology for 30 years, l...
03/03/2026
The MD 9235 microphone head for wireless handhelds has been a firm favorite with many engineers and artists for its ability to cut through high on-stage levels ...
03/03/2026
Haivision Systems Inc. (Haivision), a global provider of mission-critical, real-...