Belgium - To celebrate its 40th anniversary, Belgian band Clouseau embarked on a year-long tour across the Benelux region, including a spectacular 14-show run at the Sportpaleis, the largest indoor venue in Belgium. For these high-profile shows, the band relied on DiGiCo Quantum 338 and Quantum 7 digital mixing consoles alongside KLANG’s immersive monitoring system.
Ampli, the primary AV supplier for the Clouseau tour, delivered an extensive range of equipment, including mixing consoles, amplification, transmitters, intercoms, and cabling, with Clouseau’s long-time sound engineers Marcel Cortleven and Marc Luyckx managing monitors and FOH, respectively. The use of the DiGiCo Quantum consoles – Quantum 338 for FOH and Quantum 7 for monitors – marked a significant upgrade for the band.
“Using DiGiCo’s Quantum 7 for monitors gave me the flexibility to integrate KLANG’s immersive monitoring system via the DMI-KLANG cards,” says Cortleven. “The system allowed me to create more space on stage, which was crucial given the expanded lineup of 16 musicians. The added space made a huge difference for the performers, while the ease of integration, thanks to the new DiGiCo software, made the entire process smooth.”
The KLANG immersive monitoring system was used for the first time on this tour. With the two DMI-KLANG cards, one supplied by Ampli and the other by Amptec, the system provided a unique auditory experience. The integration of KLANG allowed Cortleven to position instruments in the mix more effectively, enhancing the overall sound quality and making the band’s in-ear experience more natural and dynamic.
Meanwhile, Luyckx praises the Quantum 338 for its advanced capabilities, which were essential for managing the complexities of the show’s FOH mix. “The Quantum 338 offered a powerful engine and superb screens, which were especially helpful during daylight,” he says. “We had 75 inputs, eight outputs, and 22 inserts, which required a lot of control. The ability to access 36 channel strips without switching between layers made the workflow much easier. The Mustard Compressor options on the DiGiCo consoles were also fantastic for adding musical creativity to the sound design.”
The Sportpaleis, renowned for its challenging acoustics, provided an additional test for the sound engineers. Known for its vast space and poor sound conditions, the venue required careful planning and expert management to ensure that the sound would reach the audience with clarity and impact. Thanks to the technical expertise of all the teams involved, the concert’s sound was nothing short of extraordinary.
“The sound engineers make all the difference in a venue like the Sportpaleis,” explains Luyckx. “The DiGiCo Quantum consoles gave me the tools I needed to ensure the sound was crisp and powerful, overcoming the venue’s acoustic challenges. The integration of KLANG on the monitor side also gave the musicians a more immersive and spatial sound that improved the overall performance.”
Both engineers emphasise the importance of the collaboration between Ampli, Amptec, DiGiCo, and KLANG in bringing this ambitious setup to life. "I’d like to thank all the teams for their invaluable support in getting everything set up," says Cortleven. “We couldn’t have done it without their expertise and dedication.”
Luyckx adds: “It was a pleasure to work with DiGiCo’s new Quantum technology. It made everything easier and more creative, especially in such a demanding venue. The combination of these tools gave Clouseau’s 40th anniversary tour a sound that truly matched the scale of the celebration.”
