INDIA: When the theatrical and musically eclectic band Ballimaaraan—helmed by the inimitable Piyush Mishra—took to stages across India for the Udankhatola Tour, the storytelling wasn’t confined to words or notes alone. It extended into the very fabric of the band’s sonic environment, shaped masterfully by monitor engineer Piyush Joshi, with the aid of the DiGiCo Quantum 338 console and DMI-KLANG’s immersive monitoring technology.

“For acts like Ballimaaraan, where every sonic detail matters, KLANG is more than a technical solution—it’s a creative tool,” says Joshi. “It allows me to build a space for the musicians that feels alive and inspiring.”

Joshi deployed the DMI-KLANG card to handle in-ear mixes, taking full advantage of its seamless integration with the Quantum 338 console. “The workflow is incredibly intuitive; everything from assigning mixes to spatial placement feels natural. Immersive panning and level controls are fully accessible from the console surface itself—no need to jump between devices or software. I control all monitor mixes directly from the console, so the artists don’t have to interact with their mixes during the show.” he adds.

Ballimaaraan’s performances—rooted in poetic homage to Urdu legend Mirza Ghalib—demand a monitoring environment that captures theatrical nuance, lyrical intricacies, and layered instrumental emotion. Joshi knew from past experience that stereo IEMs couldn’t do justice to the sonic textures, as he recalls an example of how reverbs used to cloud the mix in stereo.

Ever since he switched to KLANG at the start of the Udankhatola tour, however, Joshi states that he could let the reverbs sit exactly where they need to be in the mix, preserving emotional depth, without compromising intelligibility – something that’s turned out to be a huge benefit for the artist’s experience.  “Mixes are cleaner, more spacious and drastically help reduce listening fatigue for the musicians. Their feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, the first thing they mentioned was how much more open and natural everything sounds. This makes it easier for each musician to focus on their own performance without getting overwhelmed. They’ve also noticed a big reduction in hearing fatigue during long sets and rehearsals, which has been a game changer. It’s definitely elevated their comfort and confidence on stage!” he exclaims, pointing out to how the shift to immersive monitoring has been transformational.

Furthermore, Joshi informs that he used the KLANG:app during soundchecks to walk the stage and work intimately with each musician. “I think it’s a great way to get more personal with the monitoring process and ensure every artist is truly comfortable with their mix before showtime. It’s fast, reliable and enables me to make detailed adjustments on the fly, which is especially helpful during tight change-overs or quick sound checks” he notes.

Beyond the impact on stage, the experience has redefined Joshi’s approach to mixing as an artform. “KLANG handles complexity beautifully. The immersive space lets me place elements more naturally, giving each instrument room to breathe without clashing” he explains, stating that using KLANG on a tour with such dynamic complexity has sharpened his immersive skills and given him the confidence to explore more creative options as he strives to support the artists in every way he can.

He also credits KLANG’s support team for making the transition smooth: “They’re always there—whether I need technical help or just want to bounce ideas. Their support has played a huge role in how confidently I’ve been able to deploy KLANG on demanding tours.”

Throughout the tour, which visited cities including Kolkata, Thane and Lucknow, DMI-KLANG was supplied by HiTech Audio & Image – the brand’s official distributors in India.