New York, NY (November 4, 2013)—For the most recent production of the hit musical Mamma Mia at Clemson University’s Brooks Center, associate sound designer David Patridge turned to Masque Sound to provide a custom audio equipment package to bring sound designers Bobby Aitken and Andrew Bruce’s vision to the stage.
This marks Patridge’s 12th Mamma Mia production in 14 years as associate sound designer, and although he is intimately familiar with the show, the 2013/2014 North American tour was not without its obstacles.
“The challenge for this incarnation of the musical was to take the signature Mamma Mia sound and put it into a more compact, fast-moving production without cutting the things you need to make the show sound big,” says Patridge. “Thanks to the help of the talented professionals at Masque Sound, we didn’t compromise on anything. The show looks and sounds great.”
In order to keep the sound Patridge was looking for, Masque Sound provided Meyer M’elodie speakers, the largest speakers that could feasibly be put in a tower footprint, yet still fit in all of the smaller theaters on the tour. “We took the footprint that we were allowed based on the technical director’s specs and then we looked at speaker choices,” adds Patridge. “We went with self-powered M’elodie speakers, so we wouldn’t need amplifier racks, which take up extra room in the truck and extra time to connect.”
Patridge also chose to use Meyer 500HP speakers and 700HP subs, as well as Meyer UPM-1Ps for front fills and under the balconies. Masque Sound provided a DiGiCo SD10 digital console. In addition, the actors are outfitted with DPA 4060-61 omnidirectional mics. Masque Sound also provided Sennheiser 5212 radios with Sennheiser EM3532 receivers.
“One of the things about Masque Sound that I like is that there is a valuable brain trust of people,” says Patridge. “Professionals like Gary Stocker are not afraid to partner with us as designers and invent solutions, so I don’t have to be on my own when I’m trying to figure out how to support these speakers and towers, especially on a production that moves from city to city. I know I can ask Gary what we can do to facilitate my vision, and the people at Masque Sound will design and fabricate whatever I need.”
Masque Sound
www.masquesound.com
