Singer 2024 (previously I am a Singer) returned after a four-year hiatus with a live broadcast format for its final season to offer clean, un-processed performances from contestants. Throughout the competition, all vocal performances were given live and free from any postproduction editing or live vocal adjustments, such as auto-tune.
A DiGiCo Quantum 852 was chosen as the main stage console, with two SD7s for the broadcast feed and stage monitors.
Unlike talent shows where unknown singers compete for a prize, gaining experience and exposure, Singer 2024 pits established, popular singers against each other. Invited vocalists from across the US and Canada battled with Chinese talent for the grand prize. Singers included Chinese favourites, Na Ying, Rainie Yang, Wang Sulong, Hai Lai Amu and Second Hand Rose, plus Faouzia Ouihya from Canada and Chanté Moore from the US with special guest performances from singers including Adam Lambert. The result was a 12-episode, cultural exchange with a global perspective that challenged the audience’s perception of what a ‘good’ performance is.
‘The singers come to the show representing different genre of music, which reflects the multiple aesthetics of the public nowadays,’ Hong Xiao, Producer of Singer 2024, explains. ‘Everyone has their own preferences, so we invited singers from different fields. It takes strength to perform under these conditions and we searched hard for singers who could rise to that challenge.’
The choice to broadcast without the use of sound editing or the chance of a second take triggered public discussions online. The producers hoped that this would build a bridge between Chinese music and the rest of the world, allowing each to learn from the other and reinvigorate the Chinese popular music scene.
The DiGiCo SD7 also packed a punch in this application. Drawing on the digital processing power of FPGA technology, the SD7 offered engineers unbeatable in/out capabilities with an innovative workflow – exactly what was needed in a high stakes situation like broadcasting live to millions of viewers listening intently to every note.
For stage monitoring, the engineers relied upon the functionality of the SD7, including using DiGiCo’s SoundGrid to add to the already sizable channel count.
The show received high praise from audiences and invited debate across internet forums. Singer 2024 attracted in excess of 230 million views, and has cemented Singer 2024 as China’s most popular music variety show.
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