PreSonus plays central role at Millennium Stadium

Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium has installed a PreSonus StudioLive 24.4.2AI desk at the core of its sound system in time for the recent Six Nations rugby union tournament.

Opened in 1999, the stadium is home to the Welsh national team and recently saw two Six Nations matches played out on its turf. Over the years it has hosted a range of sporting and music events, from special rally stages and speedway races to concerts from U2, The Police and The Rolling Stones.

The StudioLive 24.4.2AI, supplied and maintained by Llanelli-based PAI Group and operated by AB Acoustics, follows in the footsteps of its 16-channel predecessor, the StudioLive 16.4.2 (now employed as a submixer at the stadium). With its additional channels, fully parametric EQ and increased processing power, the StudioLive 24.4.2AI is designed to excel in the pressurised environment of international sporting events, while retaining a familiar feel, as AB Acoustic’s Rob Ashton explained:

“The StudioLive mixers have a really great analogue feel – that’s something I particularly like. Obviously they’re very powerful digital mixers, but there’s less hidden away in menus than with other desks. So they’re quick and easy to use, and just feel more ‘hands on’ than those that involve a lot of navigating through screens to make adjustments. One of the other valuable things about the new StudioLive 24.4.2AI is the power that it manages to pack into such a compact unit. It’s not too large and cumbersome – in fact, for the size and the affordability I can’t think of anything to rival it.”

Charged with the on-going maintenance and certification of the public address system, PAI Group and its chairman Paul Adams endeavoured to provide the smooth operation and reliability.

“PAI Group contract AB Acoustics to run the Millennium Stadium system, and they were very keen to continue using PreSonus,” explained Adams. “PAI is an integrator – we’re not an events company – and we were obviously happy to be lead by the wishes of those who would be using the system day-in, day-out as it were. We’ve supplied PreSonus desks and other equipment into various clients and the company makes great products. The StudioLive is very intuitive in use and fits the bill perfectly – it’s a lovely product – so we had real confidence in its specification for the Millennium Stadium.”

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