Thus Trui Espectáculos decided to invest in its own equipment and contacted distributors, Lexon S.A, who have now been supplying professional audio equipment to them for the past 18 years. Trui’s first acquisition was a 32-channel Soundcraft 200B and this was swiftly followed by two 40-channel Soundcraft 500s - one for PA and other for monitors. Later they acquired a 40-channel Vienna and an SM12 for monitors. This month they added 48-channel Series Five (FOH) and SM20 (monitors), although Miguel Jaume says that they lovingly preserve that first 32-channel Soundcraft desk like an antique.
His faith in Soundcraft is echoed by Cristóbal Esbert, technical head of Trui Espectáculos for the past 25 years, who backed the decision to add top-of-the-range desks to their inventory - particularly in the case of Series Five. "Characteristics such as the totally parametric equalization, the multiple channel inputs, the 10 VCAs, as well as the general functionality and clear design make this desk very easy to work." According to Miquel Jaume, the Series Five will now meet the increasing technical demands from all engineers and bands who visit the islands.
But it has not only been Spain’s leading singers and groups who have been mixed through Soundcraft; numerous international artists have worked in the Balearics with Soundcraft boards, including Joe Cocker, Alan Parsons, Chistopher Cross, America, Al Stewart, Ella Fitzgerald, Lionel Hampton, Chick Corea and Ricky Martin among others. On the national scene artists such as Juan Manuel Serrat, Victor Manuel y Ana Belén, Miguel Ríos, Mecano, Alejandro Sanz, Sergio Dalma, Presuntos Implicados and Tomeu Peña have all had their sound mixed through Soundcraft. The new Soundcraft desks debuted on 1 May with the Spanish group Dangerous Friendships in Las Salinas, and will appear again on 16 May with Loquillo and Rosendo in the same venue.
(Lee Baldock)
