The technical team at Gigant, a mixed-use cultural centre in the Netherlands, has chosen to replace the venue’s existing console setup by adding a DiGiCo SD12 and Quantum225 digital mixing consoles supplied by Ampco Flashlight Sales. The SD12 is used for FOH, and the Quantum225 for on-stage monitoring.
Partially funded by the municipality of Apeldoorn, Gigant features – as of 1995 – a cinema, a Pop stage, a City stage, two theatres, a café with a terrace, and a Course House for educational workshops on various art forms. Since it was established in 1977 in an old school building, Gigant has focused on popular music and art-house performances, hosting artists including U2, Nirvana, Herman Brood, Golden Earring and UB40.
Having utilised the previous consoles for the past 14 years, the venue’s team aspired to elevate its console fleet. “We reached out to several vendors to request product demonstrations and provided them with a comprehensive checklist of our requirements, with the primary objective being to find a solution that could seamlessly interface with our Clair Systems PA using digital redundancy, eliminating the need for external components like a protocol bridge,” said Simon Kemme, technical coordinator at Gigant.
Additionally, the team sought a fast turnaround from the planning phase to delivery, and most importantly, a platform with robust hardware that could remain efficient and relevant for at least a decade, without becoming slow or outdated due to inadequate processing power. “After considering several competitor options, DiGiCo was the one brand that ticked all of our boxes as we felt it would offer us the best-quality sound for many years to come,” said Kemme.
According to Kemme, the choice for the SD12 “was a rather easy one”. “Having worked as a sound engineer for the past 16 years, I have been using the SD Range since the beginning of my career, and I can confidently say that DiGiCo has established an enduring legacy with this platform,” he said. “Despite the console’s continuous advancement, it still retains the same familiar feel as the first time I laid my hands on one. It’s undoubtedly a reliable and proven solution with a plethora of interfacing capabilities, which were the fundamental factors in our decision to opt for the SD12.”
The Quantum225 was a new experience for Kemme, but upon witnessing the console’s performance during the demonstration, the venue team recognised its potential. “It was as though we were shown a new platform that retained the recognisable look and feel of a DiGiCo console but with enhanced capabilities and an exciting future of possibilities with each update; it’s like having DiGiCo on steroids,” said Kemme. “The addition of the Quantum225 to the setup also provided us with extra flexibility, not only for the in-house tech team but also for visiting engineers to decide how to operate both consoles.”
The Quantum225 console offers native Mustard Processing and nodal processing, designed for superior signal processing. It was felt to be “a perfect fit for the venue’s needs, particularly with the Quantum225’s external screen which the team can fully utilise in their workflow when doing monitoring,” said Bart van der Smissen, audio product manager at Ampco Flashlight Sales. He also noted that two people – an in-house and visiting engineer – can work simultaneously at the SD12. “This is particularly useful for touring bands who bring their own monitoring but not their own consoles,” said van der Smissen. “With the Quantum225, the console can easily be tailored to meet the band’s requirements, ensuring they are fully supported in the best possible way.”
“Having DiGiCo on board has transformed Gigant’s sound system into a truly rider-proof installation, with visiting artists and bands all thrilled by it,” said van der Smissen. “The consoles deliver everything on the artist’s engineers’ wish list and, more importantly, they can do so flawlessly. They surpass the capabilities of other consoles, with DiGiCo becoming the top choice for performers worldwide.”
The Quantum225 installation was in September 2022 and the SD12 installation was in February 2023. The Ampco Flashlight Sales team delivered the consoles in good time and provided training to the venue’s technical team.
When it comes to the ongoing support provided to Gigant, van der Smissen is unequivocal: “As the audio sales representative for DiGiCo in Holland, and with our extensive list of customers, a significant part of our work involves providing ongoing support and services to our clients, including training and ensuring everything runs smoothly. Our commitment to excellent support is a defining aspect of our work. In fact, I believe we offer one of the best support services for brands in Holland, which has earned us a reputation for outstanding service. We never keep our clients waiting, and if they need our help, we make sure the show goes on. That’s what we stand for.”
While mostly used for performances on the Pop stage, the consoles can also be moved around the venue if needed. If there is a need to move the consoles, it is usually between FOH monitors, as the Quantum225 is the preferred console for dance nights because of its Spice Rack, Multiband Compressors and Multiband EQ.
“For Gigant, having the DiGiCo consoles has been an incredible asset,” said van der Smissen. “It’s great to see how DiGiCo and Ampco Flashlight Sales have worked hand in hand over the years, delivering top-of-the-line sound technology to multifunctional venues like this. We’re all still doing what we love, and there are many exciting projects involving DiGiCo on the horizon!”
“We have had the pleasure of working with Ampco for many years and are familiar with their high level of professionalism and expertise,” said Kemme. “They were the obvious choice for upgrading our facilities to meet modern-day standards. Looking towards the future, it was essential to have a partner who could provide adaptable solutions for any situation, ensuring that our systems would remain futureproof for years to come. Ampco excels in audio networking and PA solutions, and they were able to deliver on all fronts. With both consoles up and running, we have received positive feedback from both internal and external teams, with several technicians who had never used a DiGiCo console before stating how impressed they were with the desks’ sound quality and how they could easily rearrange the consoles to suit their work style.”
