Euphonix's a Hit for French Filmmaker Luc Besson

HITMAN producer picks Euphonix Again for Digital Factory Studios

Palo Alto, Dec 5th 2007

Well-known French filmmaker, Luc Besson, has purchased a second Euphonix System 5 console for his Digital Factory post production complex located in Normandy, France. This second console, a 48-fader film dubbing system, was installed in studio Audi 1. At the same time, Besson also upgraded his first System 5, an astounding 620 channels, 144 fader console, to a EuCon Hybrid system to seamless allow the console to control Pro Tools DAWs from the System 5 channel strips.

“We are really happy with the first console we installed three years ago. Technically, the system is very stable and easy to maintain. Engineers find the console powerful, well designed and efficient. The mixers love the processing (EQ and Dynamics) for its sonic quality,” said Digital Factory Technical Manager, Frederic Warnotte. “Operationally I find the “Layout” feature is great and so responsive. You always have everything you need just at your fingertips.”

“The System 5 console is the perfect system for our facility; because of its modularity, the system is able to evolve with our business. For example, it has been really easy to retro-fit the EuCon Hybrid option on our existing console. We are now able to control our audio workstations directly from the desk and it took only about an hour to set everything up. The way the system is designed as a network of components makes it easy to maintain and is open to future developments. Oh and did I forget to mention the console sounds great?” further explained Warnotte.

What opened as a post house in 1998 has grown into a world class audio post-production complex housing three dubbing theatres (2 main and 1 premix), an ADR Foley stage and a scoring stage that can accommodate up to 40 musicians. Known for hit films such as Taxi and The Transporter, the studio recently completed the new 20th Century Fox movie HITMAN. The movie, which follows the exploits of a genetically engineered assassin based on the popular videogame, was a collaborative effort between Digital Factory and another Euphonix powerhouse, Han Zimmer’s Remote Control Studios in Los Angeles. 

“Dubbing HITMAN on the Euphonix at Digital Factory was a great experience. It was the first time I used the Euphonix EuCon Hybrid software. During the mix the movie had to be re-cut 10 times with a complete new sequence shot during the last week of mixing. I did the mix in four weeks, and I can't imagine, doing it using premixes. The way to manage an open mix of about 500 tracks with this desk is very smart and fun, I can easily access the premixes in Pro Tools using the EuCon Hybrid and also the main mixes from the System 5 automation. I can even bring up Pro Tools tracks and DSP tracks together on the surface next to each other. Any time the director would ask for any change in the sound I could accommodate him without a problem,” said Didier Lozahic, freelance re-recording mixer.

“I'm very proud of the sound on this movie and the way we managed this project between Normandy and Los Angeles, and I hope to do more in future the same way on the System 5. Using the combination of the EuCon software controlling Pro Tools and the desk processing was a great thing for us. I love the sound of the Euphonix and for me it's still the most powerful set-up for dubbing,” commented Lozahic.

“The relationship we have enjoyed with Euphonix over the years has always been strong. Such professional courtesy is very important to us. Special thanks to the Euphonix UK team and 44.1, their French distributors, for their serious, fast and efficient service. The people at Euphonix are really concerned about the real lives of their customers and are always ready to help – even when it’s outside of their primary field,” Warnotte concluded.