Among Europe’s most eminent operatic stages, the Frankfurt Opera has been located at the Willy-Brandt-Platz (the former Theaterplatz) since 1951. Recently, the venue has added a32-fader Studer Vista X digital mixing console supporting approximately 400 DSP channels at 48kHz or 96kHz.

The Vista X Infinity was initially installed in the recording studio of the Frankfurt Opera, where it could be set up without time constraints and in line with the needs posed by the Frankfurt Opera’s performance schedules. This also allowed for easy transfer of show files from the opera’s previous console. The move to the opera house completes during the theatre’s summer recess.

‘We were quickly impressed by the Vista X and its capabilities optimally accommodate our performance operations,’ says Peter Tobiasch, Head of the Frankfurt Opera Sound Department. ‘We will be able to use the console both for live performances and for in-house productions in 96kHz. What we also found very accommodating was the redundancy of the Studer system, which is an absolute must for us in our live performance operations: apart from the power supplies and the system cabling, it is equipped with a completely redundant engine. This gives us the security we require as a matter of necessity during the daily performances.’

Apart from the Vista X, a Studer Compact Remote Bay was also delivered. In addition to a large touchscreen, the Compact Remote also offers a set of rotary encoders and a total of 12 faders, allowing access to all channels and settings of the master console. When required, the Compact Remote can be positioned as an extension to the master console. In can also serve as a slave console in the hall or on stage.