3/5/2010 [Commercial Audio]
Above (from left to right): Audex Sound staff members Ryan Fallis, Mark Bromfield, Sam "Bones" Jones, Dave Keys, Keith Cramond, Victor O'Connor and Sam Mennen with their expanded Yamaha PM5D-EX setup
Major Western Australian concert production company makes full use of its investment in Yamaha’s ‘PM5D-RH in a box’ solution via wireless control of the DSP5D using a tablet PC
Audex Sound, one of Western Australia’s premier concert touring production companies, has revolutionised its live mixing capabilities by making extensive use of wireless control of Yamaha’s DSP5D rackmount digital mixing system.
Having recently invested in Yamaha’s high-end, expanded PM5D-EX system comprising the mainstay PM5D-RH V2 digital mixing console, DSP5D rackmount digital mixing system and DCU5D digital cabling unit, Audex’s implementation of a tablet PC for wireless control of the DSP5D has become invaluable for those events with high input and output demands combined with limited set-up space.
In its fully expanded configuration, the PM5D-EX is a 96-in, 48-out solution, fully controllable from Yamaha’s renowned PM5D-RH control surface and ideal for Audex’s live shows that have particularly extensive input, output, mixing and processing requirements. In this configuration, the DSP5D can be set up on-stage and connected up to 100 metres away from the FOH mix position via Cat5e.
When used independently, however, the DSP5D really comes into its own as a powerful, space-saving, wireless digital mixing solution for monitoring applications.
The Yamaha DSP5D provides 48 mono and 4 stereo XLR inputs with fully-recallable mic preamps, along with 24 XLR Omni outputs and a host of impressive processing capabilities identical to those of Yamaha’s PM5D-RH V2 console. In addition, the DSP5D’s two expansion slots allow for added analogue or digital I/O via Yamaha’s extensive range of Mini-YGDAI cards.
Using a tablet PC running Yamaha’s Studio Manager V2 software along with a wireless Ethernet router, Audex Sound’s engineers are able to employ their DSP5D unit on-stage as a stand-alone, rackmountable, remotely controllable ‘PM5D-RH in a box’. In addition to minimising the footprint of conventional mixing consoles, this setup enables Audex’s audio technicians to conduct soundcheck as well as live mixing and monitoring on the fly from virtually any listening point within the venue.
Beginning with its use at a Diesel concert in early 2010, the wireless DSP5D configuration has already formed an integral part of Audex’ audio setup for several live shows, says Mark Bromfield, system engineer for Audex Sound
“Apart from monitor applications, I think this would be great for theatre touring,” says Bromfield, promoting the benefits of utilising the Yamaha DSP5D as a wireless, rackmountable mixing system. “I like the idea of using the tablet in theatre, and just taking up one seat for your front-of-house footprint. No multicore. You just choose the best seat in the house. Plug in a set of in-ear monitors [into the Omni Outs], and you’ve got a wireless cue as well,” Bromfield envisions. “I see that’s the way it’s going to head.”
The footprint savings allow the DSP5D unit to be used as a monitor board in a wider variety of shows with difficult load-ins and limited setup space, adds Keith Cramond, Managing Director of Audex Sound. “There isn’t a lot of space to do the monitors from, so fitting in a console of that size is pretty difficult,” Cramond observes, stressing the monetary benefits to promoters of a reduced console footprint. “So that’s certainly helped as well – the size.”
When used as a digital multicore as part of an expanded PM5D-EX system, the DSP5D delivers significant cabling advantages, notes Cramond. “For, say, a theatre show or something like that, you don’t have to run an ordinary multicore. You can just have one cable coming up from the stage, which would be simpler.”
The wireless DSP5D setup is especially useful for pre-show EQ tweaking, says Bromfield. “It certainly helps with tuning, because you can stand at a monitor or sit at the drum kit and play the drums, listen to what the drum fill is doing, and actually get an artist’s perspective on it,” he states.
“You can pay more attention to your tom tuning as well,” he continues. “A lot of those mics, they might get neglected when you’re tuning. But this way, you can crank up your tom and go, ‘Right, that floor tom’s gonna take off’, and we’ll pull a bit of this out. So, I think it’s better for EQ-ing, certainly.”
Regarding the ideal wireless configuration for DSP5D control, Bromfield offers a series of recommendations based on his experience in the field.
“The WLAN side of the router should not broadcast SSID, should be on an ‘obscure’ channel, must be encrypted, and additionally must have restricted MAC Address access,” Bromfield explains. “This last point helps prevent punters with iPhones, N Series, or whatever, from attempting wireless connections and endangering the stability of the network.”
When running Yamaha’s Studio Manager V2 software and DSP5D Editor from the tablet PC, Bromfield ensures he utilises only the most efficient screen configuration. “I strip down the displays to show only the features I need for the gig,” he explains, stressing that surplus +48V, mix, noise gate, compressor and other unused functions are hidden as required.
“Once I have set the windows to show what I need, I minimise them and arrange them at the bottom of the page for quick access,” Bromfield clarifies. If any closed windows are reopened via the Ctrl, Alt or Shift shortcuts, they reopen displaying all parameters.
“Anything which I don’t need to customise, or need regular access to, gets closed,” he adds, citing the input and output patch windows as an example.
In addition, Bromfield stresses the importance of maintaining a clean, fully-dedicated tablet PC for wireless control of the DSP5D.
“Ideally, the tablet should be dedicated to [Yamaha Studio Manager], with fresh Windows installed, and no other software installed or running,” he states, warning users to avoid any conflicting software that communicates with IP ports. “The tablet and associated operating system software must be treated as a console, with respect for its intended application,” he notes, adding that Windows Update and Windows Firewall should both be set to OFF.
“I keep a spare laptop running booted and ready on the network as a ‘just-in-case’ box,” Bromfield adds, stressing the added benefit of having a backup PC on-hand.
Audex gear spec incorporating PM5D-EX system with wireless control of DSP5D:
- 1 x Yamaha PM5D-EX Expanded Digital Mixing System
- 1 x PM5D-RH V2 Tourpack (including 2 x power supplies, 1 x link cable, 1 x case)
- 1 x DSP5D Rackmount Digital Mixing System
- 1 x DCU5D Digital Cabling Unit - 1 x Wireless Ethernet router
- 1 x Tablet PC running Yamaha Studio Manager V2 software
