“Our New Era”
Original Situational Concert
On the evening of October 28, the "Our New Era" Original Situational Concert was splendidly presented at the Guangdong Arts Theater. Comprising four movements, the concert featured 20 songs in diverse styles performed by 38 outstanding musicians. Each song embodied a unique story, and the concert unfolded a Chinese blueprint through melodies, painting a vivid picture of the era in song.
Diverse Forms of Artistic Performances
According to the introduction, this concert is the only large-scale performance in Guangzhou so far this year. The concert featured a diverse range of performance forms, including solo singing, duet, quartet, lead vocal with chorus, small group singing, guitar-accompanied singing, mixed chorus, and children's vocal performance. It integrated electro-acoustic bands and symphony orchestras, and utilized high-quality audio equipment based on performance needs, such as Rupert Neve 5045, MBP Master Bus Compressor, and Bricasti Design M7 Stereo Digital Reverb Processor.
Rupert Neve 5045(点击回顾),Hailed as the most intuitive, natural, and effective processor for reducing feedback on the market. In live performances, when the 5045 detects someone speaking or singing into a microphone, it automatically allows the signal to pass through; when the person stops speaking or singing, it senses this and appropriately reduces the gain, thus minimizing the tendency for system feedback. Its all-analog circuitry also delivers excellent control and sonic performance, in no way compromising the integrity of the sound source. The 5045 plays a crucial role in enhancing sound quality and expressiveness.
In addition to the Rupert Neve 5045, the Rupert Neve Designs MBP(点击回顾)As a versatile VCA compression processor, it also played a crucial role. The Neve Portico II MBP features dual-channel compression and limiter functions, along with soundfield width expansion and the powerful Silk transformer saturation feature. Zhang Junjun, the chief sound designer of the concert, highly praised its outstanding performance.
Renowned Sound Engineer Zhang Junjun
Personal Profile
Main working areas include recording, mixing, live sound reinforcement, live OB mixing, and sound engineering team services;
In 1999, he graduated from Guangdong University of Technology with a bachelor's degree in Information Management. In 2000, he joined the recording studio of renowned musician Lao Zai as a recording assistant, where he began learning recording and mixing under Lao Zai's guidance;
In 2002, he moved to Beijing and worked as a recording and mixing engineer at Beijing PTR Recording Studio and Le Jiaxuan Recording Studio. He engaged in record production for 12 years, collaborating with renowned artists such as Liu Huan, Sun Nan, Li Jian, and Zheng Jun. He also recorded albums for organizations including the China National Symphony Orchestra, Guiyang Symphony Orchestra, and Wuhan Sky Women's Choir;
Since 2013, he has collaborated with numerous artists and bands, and participated in various variety shows, New Year's Eve galas of different TV stations, music festivals, large-scale symphonic concerts, and other events;
PA mixing projects include: 薛之謙 (Joker Xue) "Heavenly Foreign Object" tour, Guangzhou Haixinsha New Year's Eve Gala, The Voice of China, GALA Band's multiple-city concerts, Faye Wong's "Phantom of Music" Shanghai concert, More Than Li Jian Canada-U.S. tour, Jiangsu TV and Zhejiang TV New Year's Eve galas, etc.;
OB mixing projects include: Yang Yuying's Nanchang concert, Golden Bell Awards Pop Hits Gala, Qi Wei's birthday party Tencent live broadcast, Macau Tencent TMEA Music Festival, Youth Red Song Concert for the 100th Anniversary of the Communist Party of China, etc.;
Recording and mixing projects include: Liu Huan's Born in the 1960s recording, Sun Nan's Fated Sky, mixing the theme song for Disney's Finding Nemo, partial recording and mixing for Alec Su's album For Real, recording of China's symphonic work Butterfly Lovers, etc.
According to Mr. Zhang Junjun's introduction, the MBP's saturation feature was primarily used in the concert to enrich harmonics, providing a warmer, fuller sound. In practical operation, users can fine-tune the Silk function via the Texture control. When selecting SILK RED, negative feedback in the output transformer is reduced, enhancing harmonic information. This adds sheen to the high frequencies, making it suitable for sound sources including vocals, snare drums, strings, piano, and other acoustic instruments. When using SILK BLUE, it enhances harmonics generated in the low and low-mid frequencies, making it an excellent choice for drums, bass guitars, heavy electric guitars, male vocals, and synthesizers.
Finally, the performance also utilized the Bricasti Design M7, which is designed for professional audio engineers. It combines the latest digital technology, top-tier DSP, state-of-the-art A/D conversion, and classic analog design to create this modern product that represents timeless excellence. Despite its extensive editing capabilities, it features a logical and user-friendly operation, with factory presets covering numerous sets of highly practical effects.
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Reverberation requirements for such symphonic performances are relatively high, and the Bricasti Design M7, a convolution reverb, simulates the feel of real spaces, making it highly suitable for this performance. A total of three Bricasti Design M7 units were used to create the spatiality of the symphony and additionally enhance its depth.
——Zhang Junjun
As a real-time algorithmic reverb processor, the Bricasti Design M7 is categorized by practical applications and desired effects, including Halls, Rooms, Plates, Ambience, Spaces, and Chambers, with over 200 unique reverb presets. It enables users to quickly access high-quality sound presets and save favorite programs via hotkey setup buttons.
Renowned Sound Engineer Dong Fengsheng
Famous rock musician John Mayer once commented: "The Bricasti Design M7 is the best digital reverb I've ever heard of. Its outstanding performance on stage is as excellent as in the studio. Thank my two M7s for the rich guitar tones they bring me."
Bricasti Design the M7 has numerous application scenarios. For studio use, it provides both standard AES 192k single-line digital interfaces and high-quality analog conversion interfaces. For live applications, it features a simple interface with a display that can be read from any angle, at any distance, in any lighting, even under sunlight.
The original situational concert "Our New Era" successfully concluded amid applause, where stories of the era and original songs complemented each other, painting a vibrant and dynamic picture of the new era through music. With wonderful performances, a professional team, and high-quality audio equipment, the concert delivered exceptional sound that resonated with the spirit of the new era!