Overview

 

Even festivals equipped with conventional analog mixing desks are gradually moving into the digital age. This also applies to the W.O.A. Wacken Open Air, popularized by the director Sung-Hyung Cho's movie "Full Metal Village". The picture won the main Hesse Film Prize in 2006, and was also awarded Schleswig-Holstein's "Best Documentary" film prize. In 2007 "Full Metal Village" was the first documentary film ever to win the Max Ophüls Prize for up-and-coming filmmakers. Furthermore, the WDR TV station's Rockpalast program portrayed Festival 2006 in a two-hour documentary.

The festival began in 1990 with only 800 visitors. Since 2004 the number of attendees has exceeded the 50,000 mark. The complete site has now reached a size of approx. 160 hectares, of which some 140 hectares are taken up by the camping ground.

The festival represents one of the metal scene's highlights of the year. The high esteem in which Open Air is held is demonstrated by the fact that many renowned bands such as Saxon, Grave Digger, and Helloween have recorded live DVDs at the event. Moreover, the Böhsen Onkelz began their farewell tour with an extra-long appearance at W.O.A 2004. VIP visitors attending Open Air always include many members of bands who are not actually playing at the festival.

Since 2002 a special train – the so-called "Metal Train" – has carried rail-traveling fans between Zurich and Wacken, stopping at several major cities. Bus tours are organized annually from the Scandinavian countries, and these are used by several hundred enthusiasts.

Location:

Wacken

Interview date:

08/2007

Product List

Mixers:

PM5D, DSP5D, M7CL-48

Photo Gallery

Details

Yamaha Delivers the Metal

Yamaha M7CL and PM5D-RH digital mixing desks are featured at the two main stages – the True Metal and the Black Metal Stage – in the front-of-house and monitor areas. Another PM5D-RH is used as an orchestra submixer for the band Rage's appearance with the Ligua Mortis Ensemble: a 6-5-4-4-1 string instrument arrangement with synthesized woodwind and brass, plus percussion.

Other bands such as "Subway to Sally" bring their own mixing desks, in this case a Yamaha PM5D.

The proven analogue PM4000 mixing desk is available as an alternative for those who still wish to abstain from digital sound.

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