GARY NUMAN
Production Manager & Production Designer; Luke Edwards; Laser Technician, Daniel Briggs; Avolites Technical Director, JB Toby; Drum Technician, Jimmy Lucido; Monitor Engineer, Michael Glines; Tour Manager and FOH Engineer, Dave Dupuis; Guitar/Playback Technician, Oren Karpovsky; Dimmer Technician, Daniel Everitt; Video Technician, Tom Prew & Lighting Crew Chief, Bradley Stokes.
DO OUR FRIENDS SOUND ELECTRIC? label) as a special guest during a string of dates. “I’ve been a sound engineer For Edwards, following the devastating events of Gary Numan’s otherwise for almost 20 years now, and it’s my primary role. However, I quickly became successful US run [see pg. 72], it was vital to surround himself with allies. Gary’s Tour Manager, support act, and sound engineer because I’m naturally Step-forward Audio Crew Chief, AJ Sutherland. “He’s a really good friend of a people manager with good organisational skills.” mine and he’s really taken charge. It’s been great to work with him because Dupuis mixed on an Avid Venue Profile with various built-in plug-ins. he’s actually taken a lot of stuff out of my hands, audio wise.” His console of choice. “The Avid Venue Profile console works great for this Sutherland confirmed: “I’ve been undertaking a lot of tour management application. I always ask for an Avid console while touring because it fits recently and so it was really good to get back and get hands-on, unloading with a rock ’n’ roll show. My usual approach is to mix using my ears and EQ trucks and plugging things in… I’ve really enjoyed to make it sound even more awesome. From my this tour,” he confirmed. perspective, I want a live show to just wash over Sutherland specified a Coda Audio PA system and make it an experience for the ears and the from Adlib which consisted of 24 Coda AiRAY mind. Luke then takes over from there and makes it compact line array loudspeakers (12 per side); 6 an immersive, visual experience.” Coda APS curved wave drivers; 8 Coda HOPS8T, When it comes to mixing the sound in a live situated alongside 8 Coda SC2-F and 8 Coda SCP-F Dupuis is hands-on. “I’m a very active “Dave and I approach the task setting, subwoofers. Edwards added: “It was a gamble to mixer, especially with the orchestra; I’m riding the bring the Coda Audio system on-board because faders quite a bit and playing the parts. I think of creating good audio by I’d never heard it before. I went off AJ and Adlib’s that comes from being a musician as well. I prefer getting the sound right at the recommendation and must admit, it sounds to actively mix as it gives me creative freedom. fantastic. I also worked with AJ during our last Because I’m a Tour Manager most of the day, the source, before even putting festival run, so I fully trust his recommendations.” two hours per day that I’m at FOH and actually a mic on. Then putting a Tour Manager, FOH Engineer and Nightmare Air have the ability to actively mix is the one time of guitarist Dave Dupuis’ introduction to Gary Numan the day I can get really creative.” standard mic in a good spot is enough to make any electro goth fan weep: the He continued: “Gary Numan is the Godfather and building from there, is key. of electronic pair joined forces after meeting at a Nick Cave after music, so it’s really important that party in Los Angeles, where the duo instantly hit It’s that old analogy: you can’t his sound reflects his true abilities. I’ve got a lot of it off. Now, in addition to mixing live sound, the Engineering DIs on stage, and I think they’re build a house on sand theory.” Radial Beggars Banquet labelmate has also supported the unsung hero of this production; they’re such Michael Glines, Monitor Engineer. the new-wave icon (and founder of the record good quality, they never fail. I always tour with 66
