A major mobile phone retailer (who shall remain nameless) recently threw a party for its staff, over 5000 of them, at Black Island Studios in London. Newly formed South West Production Services, part of the South West Group were contracted to turn the barn-like television studio into eight distinct venues, with sound requirements handled by South West Audio. The comprehensively equipped main arena would stage performances from Jamelia and Will Young.

LA Audio equipment played a major part in the proceedings and was used with both Jamelia and Will Young’s band.

House Monitor Engineer Jamie Hickey used LA Audio DI2’s alongside a host of outboard including the BCL20 (Compressor/Limiter), C400 (4ch Compressor), G400 (4ch Gate) and GC400 (Gate/Compressor) to try out.

Hickey commented: 'There’s nothing quite like an analogue compressor, especially the BCL20; responsive and intuitive metering, variable peak/RMS detection and above all - stunning sound quality. I was so impressed that I have ordered and specified them for the forthcoming tour in Europe with up-and-coming band: Black Bud.'

Audient’s UK Sales Manager Nick Pemberton said: 'When people try this gear out, the response is always the same: ‘Wow!’ Jamie had a rack of gear from other manufacturers as well, and it was LA Audio and Audient equipment that he decided to take out on the road.'

Hickey adds, 'With anything in touring, great sounding and reliable equipment is key; that’s why I chose to carry LA Audio and Audient'.