Broadcast setup at Coachella and Stagecoach festivals run by Chris Shepard, supported by Focusrite RedNet technology.
In the vibrant world of music festivals, where an eclectic mix of genres reigns supreme, one key player stands out – the Focusrite RedNet MADI interfaces. These interfaces have become a central figure in the live broadcast production workflow of renowned festivals like Coachella and Stagecoach.
Veteran audio engineer Chris Shepard, founder and Chief Engineer of the audio production company American Mobile (AM), relies heavily on these interfaces for managing and transmitting high-quality, multichannel audio signals efficiently and reliably during these large-scale live events.
The RedNet MADI interfaces offer robust and low-latency audio networking over long distances, a critical factor in the complex, high-demand environment of festival broadcast production. This capability ensures that audio captured from multiple stages and sources is sent cleanly and with minimal delay to broadcast mixing consoles and transmission equipment, facilitating seamless live audio production and transmission.
On smaller stages, up to 128 live audio channels are required, a demand that the RedNet MADI interfaces handle effortlessly. The RedNet PCIeNX cards enable handling of large input lists without issues, making them indispensable tools in Shepard’s work at these high-profile festivals.
Coachella, known for being the most viewed festival broadcast in the world, is one of the music festivals that AM has worked on. The 2025 Coachella festival drew an estimated 125,000 attendees and had over 140 artists perform over two weekends. The 2025 Stagecoach Festival, which took place at the same site, had an estimated crowd of 89,000 attendees.
The Focusrite RedNet system has saved countless hours during soundchecking due to the ability to save settings per artist. The system's Dante® integration enables direct control of RedNet preamps from Pro Tools, further streamlining the production process.
Quick gear swaps have been provided by Focusrite when equipment has had a rough ride during the festivals, demonstrating the company's commitment to reliability and support during large-scale productions.
For headline acts like Lady Gaga, up to 144 live audio channels can be captured. The Focusrite RedNet system can handle up to 256 live audio channels across two rigs, making it a versatile solution for festivals of varying sizes.
American Mobile's broadcast truck is equipped with an arsenal of Focusrite RedNet gear. The system is essential for AM's team to adapt quickly, scale up without compromising quality, and maintain total confidence in the reliability of the system. The live stream broadcasts of these festivals on YouTube have tens of millions of views, a testament to the success of this partnership.
In conclusion, the Focusrite RedNet MADI interfaces have become a critical part of AM's mobile mixing infrastructure in recent years, powering live broadcast production at some of the world's most prestigious music festivals. Their robustness, versatility, and reliability make them invaluable tools in the hands of audio professionals like Chris Shepard and his remote mix team.
- The Focusrite RedNet MADI interfaces are a central figure in the live broadcast production workflow of music festivals, such as Coachella and Stagecoach.
- Chris Shepard, founder and Chief Engineer of audio production company American Mobile (AM), heavily relies on these interfaces for managing and transmitting high-quality, multichannel audio signals at large-scale live events.
- The RedNet MADI interfaces offer low-latency audio networking over long distances, ensuring clean and minimal delay transmission for live audio production.
- At smaller stages, the interfaces handle up to 128 live audio channels without issues, making them indispensable tools in Shepard’s work at music festivals.
- Coachella, known for being the most viewed festival broadcast in the world, is one of the music festivals that AM has worked on, attracting an estimated 125,000 attendees.
- The Focusrite RedNet system's ability to save settings per artist and Dante® integration have saved countless hours during soundchecking, further streamlining the production process.
- Focusrite's commitment to reliability and support is evident in their quick gear swaps during festivals when equipment has had a rough ride.
- For headline acts like Lady Gaga, the Focusrite RedNet system can handle up to 144 live audio channels, making it a versatile solution for festivals of varying sizes.
- The arsenal of Focusrite RedNet gear in American Mobile's broadcast truck enables the team to adapt quickly, scale up without compromising quality, and maintain total confidence in the reliability of the system for live stream broadcasts on platforms like YouTube, with tens of millions of views.
