Powerful and Comprehensive Mixing Equipment Enhances Historic Performing Venue
The Assembly Theatre, a 630-seat venue overlooking Loring Park in Minneapolis, has undergone a significant transformation with the installation of a new DiGiCo S31 sound system. This revitalization, aimed at renewing and modernizing the theatre's aging tape system, has been a resounding success.
Windy Shores Sound was responsible for the installation, and the DiGiCo S31 has proven to be a versatile and reliable choice. The console's onboard UB MADI port has been fantastic for quick multi-track recording, while its full matrix is being used to drive the main PA system and for recording feeds and additional sends.
The DiGiCo S31 installed at The Assembly Theatre comes equipped with the Flexi Aux/Group Bus option, providing flexibility in using the console for monitor sends, effects sends, or turning some into groups for bus processing. The console also boasts 24 local inputs, a full 10x8 matrix processor, three touch screens with 31 faders, and built-in dynamic EQ and multiband compression.
The audio techs at The Assembly Theatre are appreciating the three touchscreens and intuitive workflow of the DiGiCo S31. The console was chosen for its flexibility in switching between running monitors from FOH and from an iPad side-stage, and it has handled a seven-piece band in a live space with ease, despite not maxing out its capabilities.
Rip Nordhougen, technical director for The Woman's Club, aimed to bring back the theatre's original vaudeville use, and the new sound system has been instrumental in achieving this goal. Dan Wilson, a Grammy Award-winning singer/songwriter, performed at The Assembly Theatre with his engineer using the DiGiCo S31 for the first time, and was extremely pleased with the sound quality. The Assembly Theatre even hosted The English Beat, a technically demanding production, with the DiGiCo S31 handling it with ease.
Kevin Winge, the executive director for The Woman's Club, has expressed that the quality and clarity of the sound at The Assembly Theatre has improved beyond his expectations. With the DiGiCo S31, The Woman's Club now feels completely comfortable bringing any level of performer into the venue without worrying about the sound quality.
DiGiCo's customer service is highly regarded among audio professionals, and this has been evident in the smooth installation and ongoing support for the new sound system at The Assembly Theatre. The DiGiCo S31 was recommended for its flexibility, user-friendliness, sound quality, and price point, making it the perfect choice for The Assembly Theatre's needs.
