Even festivals equipped with the more conventional analogue mixing desks are gradually moving into the digital age.
This also applies to the W.O.A. Wacken Open Air, popularised by the movie “Full Metal Village” by director Sung-Hyung Cho. 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 programme portrayed the Festival 2006 in a two-hour documentary.
The festival began in 1990, with a mere 800 visitors in attendance. Since 2004, the numbers of attendees has far 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.
Within the metal scene, the festival represents one of the highlights of the year. The high esteem in which the the 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 venue. Moreover, the Böhsen Onkelz began their farewell tour with an extra-long appearance at the W.O.A 2004. VIP visitors attending the Open Air always count many members of bands who are not actually playing at the festival.
Since 2002, a special train, the so-called “Metal Train” has taken rail-travelling fans between Zurich and Wacken to and from the festival, stopping at several major cities. Bus tours are organised annually from the Scandinavian countries, which are used by several hundred enthusiasts.
Yamaha M7CL + PM5DRH digital mixing desks are in action at the two main stages, the True Metal and the Black Metal Stage, in the front-of-house and in the monitor areas.
A PM5DRH is used in a further area as an orchestra submixer for the band Rage’s appearance together with the Ligua Mortis Ensemble, a 6-5-4-4-1 string instrument arrangement with synthesised woodwind and brass, plus percussion.
Other bands, such as “Subway to Sally” bring their own mixing desks, in this case a Yamaha PM5D.
Additionally, the proven analogue PM4000 mixing desk is also available as an alternative for those who still wish to abstain from digital sounds.
