Elgin and Winter Garden theaters renew their sound with Digico Quantum 338

The console Digico Quantum Q338 is part of an upgrade carried out at the Elgin and Winter Garden theaters, together with DMI-Dante 64@96 cards, by DQ-Rack, Dark1616D Dante/AES67 8x8 network audio interface Glensound and different intercom solutions Clear-Com.

Elgin y Winter Garden they are two theaters stacked, the second seven floors above the first. Located in Toronto (Ontario) have been committed since their origins to solutions Digico. In its last update, your sound manager, Robin Johnston, once again chose the solutions of this brand distributed in Spain by RMS Pro Audio, specifically by the Quantum console 338.

“Almost all the musicals and big shows that have come here use Digico and I have used their tables a lot for a decade, all SD series. We see a lot of SD10, but the Quantum 338, has more capabilities, so when it was time to update it, “I thought it was the most appropriate”.

Quantum Q338 is part of an update that also included a couple of cards DMI-Dante 64@96 by Digico, of the DQ-Rack compact, network audio interface Dark1616D Dante/AES67 8×8 from Glensound and different intercom solutions from Clear-Com.

As added value, Johnston's team choice allowed him to work closely with GerrAudio Distribution, whose founder, Bob Snelgrove, was responsible for Johnston deciding to dedicate himself professionally to audio 20 years.

Gerr's relationship with theater dates back to about 40 years back. “I understand that he did much of the original installation when the building was renovated in the 1990s. 1980. So they've been here since day one.", explica Snelgrove.

When the Elgin Theater underwent its major restoration in 1987, WarAudio (which at the time was called Gerr Electro Acoustics) was contracted to build and install the audio and communication system infrastructure. This included the installation of a Meyer Sound system that remained in service for more than 20 years.

The Elgin and Winter Garden theaters were originally built in 1913. At first they hosted vaudeville shows and silent films, but when the sound ones gained popularity, the Elgin was repurposed to meet demand and the Winter Garden was closed. In the years 70, The Elgin showed mostly B movies and softcore porn., but this would change after hosting the musical Cats between 1985 y 1987.

After being completely restored and renovated at the end of the years 80, hosted since the world premiere of the musical Napoleon and representation in 1995 del musical Tommy de The Who, even episodes of the show Late Night With Conan O’Brien from NBC or the recording of Bryan Adams In Concert for PBS's Great Performances.

“The first major renovation of the premises since 1989, specifically with audio as part of the equation, it was in 2011 -clarifies Johnston-. But what was put in place then was not enough to cover the changing needs of the space.”.

When the latest opportunity arose to upgrade equipment, Johnston knew Digico and Clear-Com would be a perfect solution to meet his future needs..

“The importance of quantum 338 is that it supports DMI cards and, therefore, Dante. We have Cat5e infrastructure throughout the building; two sections (entry and exit) to each panel, so it worked perfectly to switch to Dante because now we have a primary and a secondary in each location for our console and DQ-Racks. So, How does the Q338 have that advantage?, and the new DQ racks have just hit the market, “It was a no-brainer for us to make that decision.”, añade Johnston.

Digico's continued support of legacy products and cross-compatibility between older and newer consoles also influenced Johnston's decision.. As a result, Even if an engineer arrives with little or no Quantum experience, they will have an easier time adapting..

Normally the Q338 of the premises will be used for FOH, “but if a show brings a different console it can be used for the monitors”. Although there are currently no plans to replace the systems installed in 2011 and Winter Garden, Johnston adds that “as soon as there is another opportunity to update, I am sure that we will also go in the same direction.”.

Update increases workflow fluidity for both Johnston and engineers. “Before this, if another operator came and had to change or review something, It was more complicated than necessary.. With Digico's Quantum table I know that all engineers who enter will feel comfortable. Throughout the range the operating system is very similar. If you know one of their consoles, “You know them all.”.