APEX installs new digital studio's for RSC100,7 in Luxemburg
On 13 january Radio 100,7 in Luxemburg has started trasmision of their programs from the new, fully digital studio's in Luxemburg city. The installation consists of 8 studio's with a fully networked Klotz-digital system with Zenon-Media as radio-automation system.Apex was responsible for the delivery and full installation and integration of the equipment.
Klotz-digital... a concept
RSC has with their choice for Klotz-digital opted for the latest technology in digital radio mixing consoles.
The system at exists of a 12-fader split console in the On-Air Regie compained with a 4-fader console with its monitoringpanel in the On-Air studio. The Production has uses a same sort of setup but has a 16-fader console in the Regie. Both the On-Air Regie + Studio and the Production Regie + Studio have their own VADIS880 frame, wich contains all local I/O and DSP for the respective studio's. Furthermore there are 2 News-Edit studio's and an archiving studio wich all three have their own 4 fader-console connected to one VADIS880 frame. All Vadis-frames are connected to a centralised Vadis880-frame in the CDM, wich handles all centralised I/O, by fiber-optic. Only connection between the consoles and the VADIS880-frame is a simple network-cable.
The result is a fully networked studio where every source is available everywhere (and this without using tons of distribution-amps !).
Full flexibility
The approach in the On-air Regie/Studio and Production Regie/Studio is unique and offers full flexibility. A DJ or Journalist located in e.g. the On-Air studio can controll its own sources, while a technician in the On-Air Regie controlls other sources used in the program (e.g. codecs, tel-calls,…). This is the mixed mode. Both consoles are than On-Air at the same time. Switching this mode off means that both consoles are now fully independent. On that way the e.g. the Regie can be On-Air, while in the studio a journalist does some editting, or records an interview. Later on, the studio can be switched On-Air directly for e.g. a news-flash.
And of course… the full logic (automation-system, signalisation-lights,…) follows fluently the mode you are working in.
Formats… easy operation
One of the standard functions of the Klotz-Digital Vadis system is the use of formats. A format captures all settings (routing, EQ, Dynamics,…) of the console in a memory. Depending of the administrator settings a user has a mix of fixed formats (wich he can not change) and free formats (wich he can change). A format is simply recalled by pushing the appropriate LCD-button.
All what a DJ or a technician needs to do before starting his program is selecting his format, and the console is like he's used to work.
Special management functions
The Klotz-digital system at Radio100,7 is equiped with special software wich handles the On-Air management and Codec/Hybrid-management. The On-Air management handles the full antenna-switching of the studio's. The system is fully integrated and can be controlled (depending of the studio) from the touchscreen or directly from the console. The system is based on the classic “request” and “accept” system.
The Codec/Hybrid-management goes one step further. All codecs are centralised in the CDM (Centrall Equipment Room) and are connected to the VADIS880-frame there. Each console (On-Air Regie/Studio, Production Regie/Studio, News-Edits, Archiving) has a place (touchscreen or console-buttons) where a user can demand a codec or hybrid. If the codec/hybrid is not in use it is directly switched to the studio and the mix-minus is directly switched. The whole system is completely transparant for the user. The codecs (Mayah Centaur 3001) can than be controlled over IP with a software Remote in the studio.
Conference and intercom
With the conference-funtion a user can guests, presenters, can discuss with eachother (and with all codecs/hybrids used at that time) Off-Air without disturbing the technician. At the time one of the conference-members' fader is opened, he goes out the conference and On-Air. This function is highly appreciated by journalists. Radio100,7 has opted also for a full integration of the intercom into the Klotz-system.
Everybody can talk to any other studio in the network by pushing buttons directly available ON the console. The functions are very powerfull and even more cost-effective.
Monitoring
A lot of consoles suffer from the lack of monitoring possibilities. Also, each broadcaster has their a specific way of working. Result was that the system-integrator had to built proper monitoringmatrixes and custom panels.
With the Klotz-system this is fully history. All monitoring functions can be realised in the console. Before starting the configuration of the console, all buttons will be defined (yes ! All buttons are freely assignable). Bring above that, that every input/output is available anywhere in the system (thanks to the fiber-optic links) and you have the most extensive monitoring possibilities that you can imagine. Also, Klotz has small panels with buttons, potmeters, rotaries (again with only a network cable needed) that you can freely use wherever in the radio-plant. In our next newsletter we will come back on the extensive Zenon-Media system wich is installed (with over 2 x 1.3Terrabyte of Storrage) ! back to overview