Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1543098
Spring 2026 – LOCAL695.COM 39 It's a very basic setup. Both laptops run the exact same session simultaneously, each with its own hardware chain and outputs. Both sets of outputs then feed the switch. If the "A" machine or system were to fail, a tone signal driving the analog switch would trigger it to automatically flip to the "B" outputs. For Auto-Tune, I use a redundant RME MADIface XT system running PT 2024 and the latest version of AT. I take a single MADI stream from split world to feed a DirectOut MADI bridge, which distributes the MADI stream to both systems. I feed the MADI outputs of the RME MADIface XT's to a DirectOut EXBOX.SG so I can switch between the A/B outputs, and then feed the output of the EXBOX to a Ferrofish A32 to convert the MADI signal to analog. In the case that there are pitch or key changes in the middle of the performance, my AT system can chase the same show LTC I'm providing to the rest of the world, and I can automate any changes needed by the artist. Now, back to the first performance: The Sly and the Family Stone Tribute (Stevie Wonder, Maxwell, Jennifer Hudson, Leon Thomas, Questlove, Flea, Beck, Omar's house band). This was both the easiest and hardest performance of the night. Easy because they didn't need much—it was just clicks and counts for the artists. That's it. No Auto-Tune, no backing tracks, nothing. Just great music by legendary artists. What made it challenging was that some of the songs performed didn't have much to "hold on to" musically since it was JUST click and counts and odd meters. During rehearsals, the band would get off the click when and if the singers decided to come in a bar or a beat earlier. So, it was on me to cut the click and counts on the fly so that the band could continue playing without being off from the click. This is nerve-racking because it's a quick move, and you have to be 100% sure you're making the correct call. This actually DID happen during the show. Thankfully, I had the blessing of the house band's playback engineer—my friend and colleague, Danny Cheung—and no one knew that anything had even happened. The rest of the show went on without a hitch, and I'm looking forward to doing more of these amazing shows. Amazing not only because of the performers and inductees, but because I get to see and work with some of the best of the best in their fields—people I have the pleasure of calling friends. Elton John Stevie Wonder Cyndi Lauper