Desert dwellers

Jackson, who is also the general manager of professional audio engineering company Delta Sounds Dubai, recruited a team of sound engineers from the UK to work on Desert Rhythm - a strategy he says has worked well on previous large scale festival events.

"I tapped a number of contacts through my association with Delta Sounds UK, as well as other guys I've known for years, to work with the local sound production crew," he explains.

"They're all top of their game in Europe. It's an ideal situation because most of the guys have worked on big shows in the Middle East previously, so they're well aware of some of the constraints that go with working here."

Having established a solid relationship working with Dubai-based equipment rental company SLS Productions on previous Desert Rock and Desert Rhythm festivals, CSM again contracted the company to supply the sound and lighting rig for the DMC event.

Jackson says he specifically requested SLS' tried and tested Vertec 4888 line-array for the festival.

"I am a fan of this specific system," he says. "SLS has invested a substantial sum in its 4888 in terms of amplification and technical infrastructure.

"They've also replaced all of the processors under my recommendation."

In the lead up to the festival, SLS was in the process of acquiring a new full-size Vertec 4889 line-array. While the system was not available for use at Desert Rhythm, Jackson says he would have still preferred the 4888 even if it had been.

"In my opinion, the 4888 is a better sounding rig than the 4889, despite the fact it has a lower output in its standard configuration," he says.

I've worked quite hard over the past couple of years to perfect the presets for the 4888. Some engineers try and compare the 4889 to an L-Acoustics V-Dosc, but sonically it's nowhere near the same quality.

"The 4889 employs a 15-inch driver on the low-end, while the 4888 uses a 12-inch driver. As a result, the low-end on the latter system is a lot ‘tighter' by comparison. To supplement the extra 50Hz required on the 4888, I fly eight subs each side, which provide it with additional grunt. I also use separate ground-stacked subs. The overall effect is one of a much bigger-sounding system providing more control than the 4889."

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