NORTH HOLLYWOOD, CA – Schubert Systems Group (SSG), a provider of audio for touring sound for more than 30 years, has purchased one PRO9 and two PRO6 digital consoles by Midas, augmented with the Klark Teknik DN9331 Rapide rack-mountable remotes with motorized faders to operate the console's graphic EQs.
SSG president Dirk Schubert and general manager Mike Gonzales credited the PRO Series for compact size, "plenty of horsepower" and sound quality. The consoles all share the same control surface, differentiated primarily by the I/O and mix engines that are supplied.
Both the PRO6 and PRO9 come with a DL351 modular I/O, with the PRO9 adding the DL451 rack unit as well.
"One reason we went with a PRO9 along with the two PRO6s, aside from the additional channels, was for the DL451," Schubert said. "It can be used with any desk, and gives us a lot of options for configuring systems in terms of inputs and outputs. For front of house, that means lots of extra inputs. In monitor world, you can have enough outputs to handle all the in-ear systems an artist might have."
"We're configuring all our DL351 racks the same, 48×16, and each control surface has a TRS card, an AES card and an extra input or output card available," said Gonzales. "That's our base system. We went with the fully modular I/O racks so we can customize each console as needed. That's important in our business model, which includes a lot of dry hire to other companies as well as touring with our own clients."
SSG is the largest dry hire company on the West Coast, which is why they own far more consoles, monitors and ancillary equipment than they do PA systems.
"For us, it's not just about touring," said Schubert. "We also rent gear on a business-to-business basis. Over the years, we've developed relationships with many other sound companies. They know they can trust us to provide the excellently-maintained equipment, configured for their needs. The PRO Series consoles fit right into that side of our business."
On the operational side, SSG pointed to the PRO Series implementation of VCA groups and POP Groups.
"Once the board is configured, which we do here in the shop, it's really operator-friendly," said Schubert. "That's where, in my opinion, Midas really excelled in this design. It's a departure from the typical digital board design with layers. The whole surface is like one giant layer, and you can get anywhere you want by using the POP Groups and VCAs. Plus you've got Area B, which can be used in any number of ways to make life easier."
Schubert also credited the visual coding of the control surface. "It's an interesting design concept," he observes. "A round button will not affect your mix, but a square button will. You never have to be afraid to push a round button. That's a really smart idea."
Today, Schubert Systems Group is the largest sound company in Los Angeles, with a 10,000 square-foot North Hollywood facility that includes two acoustically-designed rehearsal halls and a client list that includes Bonnie Raitt, Jackson Browne and Jeff Beck (currently out with a PRO6). And Schubert said the most recent Midas purchase won't be the last.
"Buying three new consoles was only the first step," he noted. "We're planning on expanding that commitment dramatically," he added. "We see the PRO Series as the mixing platform we'll be using for the next 10 years."
For more information, please visit www.midasconsoles.com.
