Nostalgic Peacock Theatre on Linnanmäki Helsinki underwent an administrative overhaul in 2018, which also included updating the audio equipment to meet the theatre’s contemporary needs. The Avid VENUE | S6L-24D was selected as the new live mixer.
Tapio Penna, Suomen Komediateatteri’s technical director and sound designer, spoke to us about the theatre’s news and his experience with the fresh live mixer.
When did you start working there and what’s a typical day?
“I’ve been working at Suomen Komediateatteri with audio since the late 1990s, so over 20 years. I still enjoy our theatre’s wonderful atmosphere.
As technical manager, I’m responsible for the smooth operation of Peacock’s technology in terms of personnel and equipment. I’m also responsible for the technical framework for travelling presentations. I also play the audio in performances whenever possible.
I previously travelled in over 30 countries as head mixer of heavier music. Such tours had very diverse challenges, so now I appreciate working on a permanent stage.”
Why the Avid VENUE | S6L-24D live mixer for the Peacock Theatre?
“I contacted msonic’s Ossi Männikkö for mixer system recommendations, and he suggested exploring the S6L system. It seemed perfect right away for our challenging needs.
“I also had positive experience with the VENUE environment at gigs. Now with the S6L-24D control surface, this is the perfect package. 20 years of experience with Pro Tools also supported choosing Avid.”
“AVID VENUE | WITH S6L-24D CONTROL SURFACE, THIS IS THE PERFECT PACKAGE,” SAYS SUOMEN KOMEDIATEATTERI’S TECHNICAL DIRECTOR TAPIO PENNANEN.
What’s your experience with the live mixer?
“The Avid VENUE | S6L-24D has served us very well – smooth use in over 100 demanding revue, musical, music and play productions already. Fast and smooth programming and the customizability of S6L snapshots and table layouts are the best features, especially for fast-paced sketch and live music scenes in revues which are changing rapidly from one situation to the next.
Of course, we’re also very pleased with the full integration with Pro Tools. Sounds can be honed, and if an actor has lost his or her voice, the performance can be seamlessly saved with playback.
“VENUE | S6L-24D’s sound is simply the best!” says Tapio Pennanen.
What kind of productions have you used Avid VENUE | S6L-24D for? How did the live mixer perform?
“S6L has been used for theatre plays, Stand Up! TV show recordings, and many other music-intensive events. S6L has performed superbly in all productions thanks to its flexibility.”
The Peacock has rather demanding conditions due to capacity of over 800 viewers and large audience space. Diverse, changing productions from theatre to live music also pose challenges in terms of equipment. Yet S6L’s flexibility responds very well to these challenges!”
THE PEACOCK THEATRE’S SOUND EQUIPMENT MUST KEEP UP WITH FAST AND VARIOUS PERFORMANCES. TAPIO PENNANEN SAYS THE AVID VENUE | S6L-24D HAS RESPONDED BRILLIANTLY TO THEIR NEEDS.
- For more information about VENUE | S6L mixers contact Ossi Männikkö, ossi@msonic.fi or Tero Hölttä, tero@msonic.fi.