Porcupine Tree
Photo: Diana Nitschke
Jumping into Porcupine Tree’s next run of U.S. dates, front-of-house engineer Ian Bond tells Mix what’s in his setup.
How much gear are you carrying?
We always carry our own backline and monitor system. The monitor system comprises a Yamaha 02R96 for control, a pair of wedges, a drum-fill sub and wireless in-ears. We also carry our own stagebox and splitter system, plus all mics and Dis. All this is tied into the house line system via a fan-out of XLRs direct to the house stagebox.
How do you have your Midas board set up?
FOH engineer Ian Bond
I use just one scene on the PRO6 and run “analog.” I mainly mix on VCA groups, but as the Midas has an “Area B” option, I leave all four vocal channels open at my right hand. The left-hand side of the console becomes somewhere to make fine adjustments to individual channels. I also have several POP Groups set up so I can access FX returns, guitars and vocals (locked to Area B).
What is your go-to piece of gear?
I have two: an Audix OM7 vocal mic and a TC Electronic D2 delay unit.
Do you have a specific mixing technique for this band?
Not really — just keep things simple and let the band control all the dynamics.
When you’re not on the road, where can we find you?
I have a sound rental company, IPB Audio, looking after local and national acts, as well as one-off shows.
