NEW YORK CITY – For Phish’s tour, FOH engineer Garry Brown is carrying a Yamaha PM10 Digital Audio Console supplied by audio vendor Clair Global. He made his decision based on a comparison with five other consoles prior to the tour. Brown’s input count can range up to 120 inputs for a show, while his previous console maxed out at 96 channels. Phish ends the year with their traditional four-performance dates New Year’s Eve weekend at Madison Square Garden in New York City.
More details from Yamaha (www.yamahaca.com) and Clair Global (www.clairglobal.com):
Reunited in 2009 after a five-year hiatus, Phish is on the road again, and this time, FOH engineer Garry Brown took along a Yamaha Rivage PM10 Digital Audio Console from touring audio vendor Clair Global. Phish ends the year with their traditional four-performance dates New Year’s Eve weekend at Madison Square Garden in New York City.
Brown brought the PM10 on tour because he was concerned about the age of his previous console. “The PM10 became available, so I had Clair Global bring one up to Lititz so that I could put it into a console comparison that I was going to conduct. I ended up comparing the PM10 to five other consoles, and it was the one that I felt was going to give me the audio quality that I was looking for.”
Brown uses 80 inputs for a standard show, but that count can range up to 120 inputs depending on the goals of a specific performance. He said his previous console maxed out at 96 channels, and after that, it could get complicated. “With the PM10’s 144 inputs, it’s much easier for me to be flexible with what is required by the band,” says Brown. “I was able to get a mix together on the PM10 in a relatively short amount of time.”
With respect to other console features, first of all, Brown says, “The surface has proved to be extremely friendly. I’ve been able to move around 100 inputs quickly and in different ways. The EQ with the three variations is also great, and they definitely have different characteristics. The flexibility within the EQ has given me more scope in how I shape the sound of my inputs. I love the insert function; having the flexibility between eight hardware or software inserts is excellent. I’ve found the Rupert Neve Designs’ plug-ins to be excellent to the extent that I have substantially slimmed down the outboard gear that I carry.
Although Brown didn’t use the Silk feature during the console comparisons, he’s added in Silk to the shows. “It brings a depth and character to the sound that I like.”
During Brown’s early career in Britain, his exposure to Yamaha consoles was limited. Moving to America in 1998 changed that. “I toured once with the PM1D, and loved the surface. I will definitely take the PM10 out again. I’m very happy with it and have had some great sounding shows.”
