Mixing electronic music in one of the world’s most demanding live environments requires reliable, high-performance solutions.
A long-time SSL user, Wayne Sargeant needed a system that could deliver the brand’s renowned sound quality in a format compact enough for the FOH position at Ushuaïa, while also being robust enough to operate throughout the summer season in extreme heat. For this, he chose an SSL System T TCA Flypack and, following its excellent performance during the 2025 residency, he will use it again for the 2026 season.
“The system is incredible: compact, with a minimal footprint, yet it delivers the same sound quality I’d expect from any other SSL live console. It has everything I need, without unnecessary bulk”, explains Sargeant.
For the 2025 season, he used a partial Flypack configuration as a test bed while defining the final setup. Some elements, such as the screen and stage box, were integrated into a full Flypack-style build, while the FOH rack remained in a standard flight case, acting as the central control and distribution hub.
We decided to keep the FOH rack in a standard flight case mainly to improve cooling and airflow in the Spanish heat. The goal is to transition to a full Flypack in the near future, but for now it is a functional setup that continues to evolve. Many engineers have a love-hate relationship with their console, but since I started using SSL in 2015 it was the opposite: I thought ‘this sounds like the analogue consoles used to, but with an incredible level of control’. It sounds phenomenal, and to this day nothing really comes close, notes Sargeant.
All components —including Dante devices, control computers, and fader tiles— are pre-configured and wired to enable fast and reliable deployment. The system can also be integrated into custom racks, making it suitable for touring and frequent setups.
As expected from SSL, the audio quality is outstanding. The wide dynamic range of its mic preamps proved essential for Sargeant, allowing him to achieve a clean sound with high headroom, crucial when mixing electronic music.
“The system is fully wired, so all I have to do is power it up and connect the control surface, screen, and outputs”, he explains. “This makes the workflow efficient: setup is quick, repeatable, and saves a lot of time. Consistency is also key — I can plug in, load my show file, and go. This allows me to focus on ensuring everything remains the same week after week”.
The setup combines the Tempest Control App with the Desktop Fader Tile Plus, a portable control surface with 16 faders providing access to 15 layers with four banks each, for a total of 60 configurations. A fully redundant Dante network connects devices at FOH and on stage, while SSL Net I/O SB16.12 units ensure AES3 connections both from the DJ mixer and to the PA system, preserving full digital signal integrity.
I use stem groups to process dynamics and outboard gear, giving me precise control over each element of the mix. This allows me to shape tone and dynamics without affecting the overall balance. In particular, I apply dynamic EQ to Calvin’s vocal to maintain clarity throughout the show, as its dynamic range varies depending on his energy on stage.
For outboard processing, SSL Fusion adds analogue warmth and stereo enhancement, while the SSL THE BUS+, inserted on the master bus, manages overall dynamics and keeps the lead vocal within the venue’s 98 dB(A) limit.
Sargeant states that the system performed flawlessly throughout the 2025 season at Ushuaïa and will be used again this year, with further improvements to make it even more compact and tour-ready.
The use of the System T TCA Flypack by top-tier artists such as Calvin Harris in demanding environments like Ushuaïa Ibiza validates this console concept. Engineers like Wayne Sargeant push our technology to its limits and demonstrate that there is a clear demand for SSL’s signature audio quality in a compact, robust, and portable format capable of adapting to any situation, says Rob Davidson, VP of Console Sales at SSL.
