A&H’s new GLD Chrome mixer at Download, Slam Dunk festivals

Yorkshire-based Reel Recording Studio’s new Allen & Heath GLD Chrome Edition digital mixer was put to the test at two high-profile festivals in the UK recently.

The Chrome GLD-80 console was used to record the main stage at the Slam Dunk festival in Leeds, and manage FOH for Download Festival’s ‘secret band’, Young Guns, at Donington Park.

Footage at Slam Dunk was captured for Kerrang TV on the mixer – used to multi-track all bands on the main stage using Dante into Waves Tracks Live. Situated onstage, Allen & Heath’s new Qu-Pac system was also used to record at FOH.

“The Slam Dunk live recording was actually the first time I had used a GLD in anger and it was an absolute pleasure. The GLD is really intuitive, there’s no messing around – everything is exactly where you want it to be," commented Dave Boothroyd (pictured), house engineer at Reel Recording Studios. "The preamps sound absolutely superb, which is imperative for a job like this, and with the added bonus of Dante, which is extremely flexible, it really performs well in the live recording situation.

"On top of all of this the footprint is tiny for such a powerful package. I’m most definitely looking forward to working on the GLD again."

The footage was later mixed down on the studio’s Allen & Heath GS-R24 firewire recording mixer.

“The set-up was A&H from start to finish,” added Reel Recording Studio owner Ben Hammond.

The audio arrangement at Download consisted of Reel’s GLD Chrome, as well as AR2412 and AR84 remote I/O expansion racks. The system was also fitted with Dante networking to enable multi-tracking.

“I used all the outputs on the AR racks as a split to feed the guys in-ear monitor rack, so we were using absolutely every hole on the desk," explained Hammond. "I made good use of the mixer’s onboard FX – I’m loving the new 160 compressor which I use on bass, keys, and tracks."

www.allen-heath.com