Richard Ashcroft recently completed a sold-out U.K. arena tour with audio production support from Britannia Row. The run was FOH mixer Eds John’s first tour using Brit Row, with the company supplying the reinforcement system and control package for the indoor arena dates.
Ashcroft’s vocal chain remained centered on a Shure Beta 58a, selected in part because the show does not use in-ear monitors and monitor engineer Matt Lewis needs high clean level on stage. Drums were captured with a range of Earthworks microphones, while strings used DPA4099 and Schertler dynamic microphones. At FOH, John used a DiGiCo Quantum 338, a Fourier Transform Engine and his own Pro Tools recording rig, with Waves Renaissance Compressors and F6 RTA EQs on vocals, Waves C6 on vocal subgroups, a Waves SSL Buss Compressor on the master, Valhalla reverbs for vocals, strings and drums, and Sonnox reverb for acoustic guitar.
System designer and engineer Craig Burns built the tour P.A. around a d&b audiotechnik SL Series system. The stated goal was consistent audience coverage with limited spill onto the stage, while arena acoustics and low trim height were the main challenges. The source attributes the design’s usefulness to the SL Series’ rearward cancellation and Array Processing, along with enough speaker hangs to preserve coverage and positioning.