Keystone Productions Justin Le Roux, Ryan Towell and Jonathan Le Roux with their new DiGiCo S21. Congratulations!
For over two decades, Johannesburg-based Keystone Productions has delivered outstanding shows, product launches, and conferences. Their tight-knit team of experts provides full technical support, including live audio, lighting, screens, streaming, video mapping, stage effects, and staging. Their commitment to excellence ensures clients get personalised service and feel part of the Keystone family.
Recently, Justin and Jonathan Le Roux, the dynamic brothers behind Keystone, identified a gap in their audio department. After years without a major console upgrade, they knew it was time to invest in a solution to elevate their productions. Following a few months of research and consultation with trusted sound engineers, the decision was clear—a DiGiCo S21 from DWR Distribution.
Why the DiGiCo S21?
“We still had a few of our older consoles in rotation, but as our broadcast and live event workload grew, we needed a desk that could keep up with demand,” says Justin Le Roux. “We talked to our freelance engineers and big rental companies, and there was only one clear choice. Sure, there were cheaper options out there, but Jonathan and I focused on quality, longevity, and after-sales support. In the end, we knew the S21 was the right move. We needed a solid, future-proof investment, and DiGiCo delivered.”
For Kyle Robson, DiGiCo Product Manager at DWR Distribution and the trainer for the Keystone team on the S21, it was exciting to see long-time users and freelancers closely working with Keystone inspire the company to take the plunge and invest in the product. “It’s really something special,” he comments. “The training with the Keystone team has been incredible, and seeing their reactions as they discover what the console can do has been amazing. I know they are going to have epic gigs ahead of them.”
All smiles for Keystone Productions’ Ryan Towell and Kyle Robson from DWR Distribution.
Seamless Integration & Reliable Support
While Justin says the new console is not part of the SD range, it was the perfect fit. “I don’t know if I can say it’s a bang for our buck because it’s more than what we need,” he explains. Beyond its powerful features, Keystone’s decision was reinforced by DWR’s support. “The level of technical backup and customer service we get from DWR is unmatched,” Justin adds. “I have the confidence that if something goes wrong, I have the numbers for Richard Smith, Duncan Riley, Kyle Robson or Dylan Jones. I know that I can phone at any time and it will be sorted, so that was a major thing.”
Versatility Across Events
Audio is always the first thing Keystone add to a quote. “We do a lot of broadcast events, though conferencing is our speciality. The S21 is great because it fills the gap. In a conference environment, it’s unbelievable and in the broadcast environment it’s perfect so it ticks all the boxes for everything we do.”
Richard Smith from DWR comments, “Keystone always brings their A-game. Their attention to detail and personal touch set them apart, making every project a pleasure to be part of. After a discussion with Kyle Robson, we knew the S21 was the way to go. This console delivers dual P-CAP multi-touch screens, 48 flexi-channels, 46 buses, and crystal-clear 96kHz performance. It’s slick, and powerful, and redefines what an entry-level digital console can do. It also compliments their existing L-Acoustics system which I was honoured to sell to them many years ago.”
Hitting the Ground Running
No sooner had the S21 arrived than it was put straight to work for a banking event. “Since then, it hasn’t stopped!” says Justin. “It’s currently back at the office, getting its final branding and labelling, but it’s already fully booked for the next few weeks. We’re probably going to need another one soon!”
For Keystone’s resident audio engineer, Ryan Towell, the DiGiCo S21 is a game-changer. Having been with the company for nearly a decade—starting as a job shadowing student in Grade 11—Ryan has grown alongside Keystone’s technical evolution.
“I pushed hard for this upgrade,” Ryan shares. “We needed a console that could integrate seamlessly with our existing L-Acoustics setup, and the S21 was the perfect match. The feedback so far has been incredible, and I can’t wait to get hands-on with it myself.”
Looking Ahead
As Keystone Productions continues to raise the bar, the DiGiCo S21 is a testament to their commitment to quality. “The S21 is built to last, and we know it’ll serve us well for years to come,” Justin ends.
