Musician Joe Ellis’ career
is flying higher than ever these days—literally and figuratively, as Ellis is a
professional commercial airline pilot and a professional musician and audio
engineer. When he’s not flying, Ellis appears as a host on the TV show “The
Aviators,” performs with his band under the moniker “Joe.e” and uses a HARMAN
Soundcraft Si Expression 3 console to mix live sound for a growing number of
bands and events.
Like so many musicians,
Ellis came to the point where he realized he needed to make the transition from
analog to digital mixing. The artists and bands he worked with wanted it, and
more and more he found that he personally wanted a digital console for
advantages like increased flexibility, built-in reverb and effects and other
benefits. Recently, Ellis found another reason to take his sound system to a
higher level.
“Every summer the city of
Wausau, Wisconsin does a series of weekly outdoor concerts called ‘Concerts on
the Square,’” Ellis noted. “I was fortunate enough to be chosen as the front of
house mixer for the series. However, that meant I had to buy an entirely new
sound system. I’d been used to doing small to mid-sized clubs.”
Ellis realized this
challenge offered the perfect opportunity to move up to a digital console.
After looking at what various companies had to offer, Ellis chose a Soundcraft
Si Expression 3. He had worked on Soundcraft Si Compact models before and liked
their audio quality and ease of mixing and thought the Si Expression 3 would be
a logical upgrade.
“What sold me on the
Soundcraft Si Expression 3 was the sound quality,” said Ellis. “I was used to
using very high-quality analog consoles and was not willing to compromise on
audio performance. The sound I can get from the Si Expression 3 is as good–if
not better–than anything I’ve used before, and its functionality and ability
to do everything I need are perfect for me.” In addition to the “Concerts on
the Square” shows, Ellis uses the Si Expression 3 for everything from club
dates with his band to mixing local rock bands to mixing a 9-piece wedding
band.
Summer is the busiest time
of the year for Ellis, and now that he’s using the Soundcraft Si Expression 3,
it’s getting even busier, and not just from his front of house role for
“Concerts on the Square.” Ellis works with a production company that subs work
out to him and now that he has an Si Expression 3, he’s getting more business
from the company. “They appreciate the fact that I have a console that they
know will sound great in any situation, and that plays well with their other
gear,” Ellis concluded.
Joe Ellis’ career can be
followed at http://www.joeellismusic.com
