RedNet tours Asia with The Killers
Published: ASIA
ASIA: Focusrite's RedNet audio I/O technology was recently put to use for the front of house rig for The Killers' world tour, which recently visited Singapore, Malaysia, China, the Philippines, Taiwan, South Korea and Japan. Systems engineer Philip Reynolds made the decision to use a RedNet 1 eight-channel A-D/D-A, and RedNet 4 eight-channel mic preamp in order to maintain the audio within the digital domain (AD conversion takes place side-stage as soon as the mics plug into the stagebox) for as long as possible before conversion to analogue.
Mr Reynolds’ key responsibility for the tour was to set up the sound system to perform as well as possible, and due to venue changes on an almost daily basis, this was not an easy challenge. To tackle this he used audio analysis software coupled with a reference mic to match the sound system response as closely as possible to the output of the FOH desk. RedNet handled all his inputs and outputs to facilitate that process.
RedNet 1 played a crucial role, routing audio to and from Mr Reynolds’ test system, but also to the FOH desk for house music playout and the drones that were used during the show's encore. This material came from two Mac Minis, one primary and one backup, both which were connected to the RedNet network using the Dante Virtual Soundcard (DVS) driver. RedNet also handled the press and video feeds, as well as any venue needs, such as the hearing assist system.
‘I was blown away,’ says Mr Reynolds about the test rig. ‘The RedNet 4’s preamp is flat, and the phase coherence is perfect.’
Mr Reynolds’ is accustomed to using his own gear on tour rather than rental equipment, so the RedNet system represented a significant personal investment. ‘Because it's mine, I know it works and that I'm going to have it where I go,’ he said. ‘RedNet does everything I want it to do, and the expandability is endless with this setup. I rely on my system 100 per cent, and it just works.’
Over time, Mr Reynolds intends to expand his RedNet system with an additional RedNet 1 and a RedNet 3 digital I/O, the latter of which will enable him to drive the FOH PA from the RedNet network. ‘RedNet units have allowed me to design a system to bring a fully digital system on the front end. With the RedNet 3 providing primary digital connection and RedNet 1 acting as my analogue backup, we can bring the latency down and keep the quality of audio the same, which has been a goal of mine for the last year.’