MADIface USB FOH use with Blue Man Group

The company’s MADIface USB interfaces reside in the FOH production setup and handle playback from two redundant Q-Lab rigs. “Each Mac Mini has one MADIface USB that feeds the MADI router to offer backup switching capabilities,” Pittsley explained. “Q-Lab is responsible for some of the 7.1 surround content, as well as band and Blue Man click tracks, direction tracks, and SMPTE. Currently, I’m running 24 tracks out of Q-Lab into a Digico SD10 console via MADI 64—32 tracks at 96 kHz.”

“As for the MADI router,” Pittsley continued, “this takes care of switching to the backup Q-Lab machine, if required. The MADI router also offers the ability for our Creative Team to interface an Avid ProTools rig into the system to tune and tweak any new content before delivering it to me to put into the Q-Lab system. Equally important, this router also enables me to split the MADI output of the desk to a recording rig.”

When queried about those key attributes that make the RME equipment so well-suited for use in the show, Pittsley offered these comments, “I like the fact that the FireFace 800 offers 8 high quality line outputs, is rack mountable, and is built very solidly. It’s perfect for our mobile setup. The MADIface USB delivers excellent audio quality in a small form factor, and has tremendous input and output capabilities. As for our RME MADI router, its ease of use, the variety of available input/output configurations, and the fact that it operates with redundant power supplies makes it a terrific choice for us. All three products deliver great audio quality, a rich feature set, and their reliability inspires confidence.”

Pittsley described one aspect of the RME equipment that has proven invaluable, “The Blue Man Group Theater here at Universal also hosts corporate events regularly throughout the year. The MADI Router allows me to program these events on yet another Q-Lab rig and makes it easy to switch the sources between the corporate event and the show that night. The ability to not have to modify show computers is a huge bonus.”

Quality customer and technical support services are a crucial consideration when choosing equipment the show relies on and, in this regard, Pittsley rates Synthax highly. “I recently had questions about our MADI router,” he said. “I contacted Jeff Petersen at Synthax and, with his help, we pinpointed the challenge and quickly came up with a solution. It was a very positive experience.”

Before turning his attention to the nightly show, Pittsley offered these parting thoughts regarding his experience with RME products, “RME has been a great tool in the arsenal for getting audio out of our playback rigs and into a variety of consoles. The robust build quality and the form factors of these products fit well into any new project I’m working on, and I can always count on them to work without any issues. I look forward to using more of the MADI router’s features in the future.”

To learn more about Blue Man Group, visit the show’s website at www.blueman.com.