Bringing Linkin Park's From Zero Tour one step closer with Digico

The meteoric, nu-metal pioneers Linkin Park are one of the best-selling music acts of all time. This, and the fact that the band’s gargantuan From Zero tour is not only one of the biggest they’ve ever undertaken, but also the first since the rock outfit reformed with new vocalist Emily Armstrong after a seven-year hiatus, meant audio levels befitting the stadiums and the band's untouchable status were essential.

Breaking through with nu-metal anthems such as Crawling and One Step Closer, Linkin Park’s debut album, Hybrid Theory (also one of the band’s original names), is certified 12 times platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America, and is one of the best-selling records of all time. It also won at the 44th Grammy Awards, picking up Best Hard Rock Performance for Crawling.

After seven hugely successful albums, Linkin Park took a significant break following the death of their iconic lead singer, Chester Bennington. The band, then consisting of members Mike Shinoda, Brad Delson, Joe Hahn, and Dave Farrell, needed seven years to deal with this grief and reassess the group’s future. They announced their reformation in 2023, unveiling new frontwoman Emily Armstrong (the singer of Dead Sara) and drummer Colin Brittain. Shortly after, the new album From Zero was also announced, with its accompanying tour.

The audio design and reinforcement were supplied by Sound Image, a brand of Clair Global. Joe Skarzynski, Linkin Park's production manager, affirms the decision: "The most important aspect of our production, regarding this artist, is the quality of their audio, and that's why we chose our vendor."

Tour director Jim Digby emphasises the need for audio consistency: "Our number one priority is establishing a sound that can be replicated in every city and in every stadium for fans across the world," Digby further stressed: "We need competency, consistency, and customer value, and Sound Image and Clair Global understand those needs with total professionalism."

FOH Engineer Jim Ebdon mixes the show on a DiGiCo Quantum 852 console, managing over 100 inputs via an Optocore loop and extensive Dante networking. Primary inputs are split to both FOH and Monitor World via Neve RMP-D8 Dante mic preamps. Ebdon uses a dual Fourier Audio transform engine unit for processing, managed by a Prodigy.MX that also handles the 128 channels recorded to Pro Tools.

Vocalists Mike Shinoda and Emily Armstrong use DPA d:facto microphones. Ebdon notes: "It really suits them both, this capsule doesn't colour the sound in any way, and that's perfect as we have very strong singers."

Audio systems engineer Bill Chase manages the substantial Adamson PA system, featuring over 300 VGt, VGs, and CS10 speakers. The system runs on a separate Milan network, with connectivity managed by Ricki Cook.

Chase remarks on how the sub-array configuration is custom: “The end-fire arrays place 12 VGs in front of another 12 VGs spaced 66 inches apart and angled outward. This really helps us get the low impact to the farthest seats without crushing the front row.” He concluded: "Nothing is ever cookie-cutter with Sound Image; this rig in particular is probably one of the most intricate I've worked with as far as how we interface with backline and between monitors, front of house and the PA."

Monitor engineer Pasi Hara uses a DiGiCo Quantum 338 console and a local immersive KLANG:konductor system for the band's IEM mixes, which are Wisycom with JH Pearl packs. RF Tech Katlyn Mountain manages the complex RF system using Wisycom and Shure Axient Digital receivers.

The production prioritises crew welfare, incorporating support from the mental health charity Music Support in the UK. Production manager Joe Skarzynski explains the rationale: "With such a busy schedule, everybody needs space to have their emotions heard and to be cared for as an individual within such a big team. It's important, and we try to provide as much of a family-style relationship as we can."

Digby concludes: "What we sometimes forget in our business is that as we are doing business, life goes on. The more you nurture a team of professionals, the more you can withstand the kind of rigours that we face out here without encountering a crisis. Adding decompression moments into your schedule is a necessity now."

FOH Mixer Jim Ebdon agrees: "We are a family because they're very attentive to the small needs, and that means I never have to worry - I can do what the band wants me to do, which is to concentrate on mixing them in this new, exciting era."