Tech Focus: Audio Consoles, Part 2 — Products for Remote Mixing

Diversity — in size and functionality — marks the latest in the category

Remote–audio-mixing consoles for broadcast still constitute a relatively rarefied category at the high end of the market, but there is diversity within the group, thanks to increasing demand for variety in sizes and functionality. Here’s an overview of the leading contenders.

Click here for Tech Focus: Audio Consoles, Part 1 — At-Home Production, IP Transport Are Key Trends

Calrec
The Brio console delivers a comprehensive broadcast feature set to support a wide breadth of broadcasters and is entirely self-contained with analog and digital I/O and GPIO built into the surface. In addition, a range of Hydra2 modules can be fitted to connect to and share audio over Calrec’s Hydra2 network. This means that Hydra2’s sophisticated management facilities can be used for network-wide control, including interfacing with multiple video- and audio-over-IP networks, such as SMPTE 2022, Dante, AES67, RAVENNA, and SoundGrid. This protects the system against future formats that may emerge and allows the console to sit on multiple networks simultaneously.

Calrec Brio

Brio also enables connectivity to other equipment in the Calrec Bluefin2 range: the Apollo, Artemis, and Summa consoles. Calrec’s flagship Apollo can handle 1,020 channel-processing paths, 128 program buses, 96 IFB/track outputs, and 48 auxiliaries. The Apollo control surface manages all these channels on up to 320 physical faders, and, with single- and dual-fader options, Apollo has a higher fader density within its footprint than any other console.

Artemis is based on the Apollo platform and uses the same Bluefin2 and Hydra2 core technologies. Available in four sizes, Bluefin2 gives Artemis Shine 680 channel-processing paths, Artemis Ray 456, Artemis Beam 340, and Artemis Light 240, with up to 128 program buses, 64 IFB/track outputs, and 32 auxiliaries. Artemis Light packs all this into a 4RU enclosure. Artemis’s integrated router means all I/O functions can be performed by Hydra2, using high-capacity crosspoint routers and a variety of I/O units.

Bluefin2 gives the Summa and Summa 128 consoles a pool of either 180 or 128 channel-processing paths, eight groups, four mains, 16 auxes, and 32 tracks. Summa’s considered control simplifies even complex workflow tasks, such as creating mix-minus feeds.

Designed with live sports broadcasting in mind, the RP1 remote-production unit’s engine is a 2RU core containing integrated, FPGA-based DSP, enabling a console surface at another facility to control all mixing functionality. The RP1 core manages all the processing for IFB routing and remote monitor mixes, and it does so locally with no latency. www.calrec.com

DiGiCo S21

DiGiCo
The S Range of compact digital consoles has been expanded with the S31. A larger version of DiGiCo’s popular S21 console, it sports an expanded work surface with 10 additional faders for more control and a third 10-in. multitouch screen for faster access and more visual feedback. The S31 offers the same flexibility as the S21, with 24 mic inputs and 12 line outputs on the rear of the console for straightforward audio connection. There are also two DMI ports as standard, as well as a UB MADI interface for DAW recording.

DiGiCo’s new compact 2RU Orange Box is a simple-to-use audio-format converter with multiple options, allowing broadcasters to deploy DiGiCo Multichannel Interface (DMI) cards to create audio paths over a variety of interfaces. With two PSUs for redundancy and two slots to accommodate any of the 10 current interfaces available (Dante, Hydra2, BNC, Cat 5, Optocore, Aviom, ADC, AES, DAC, and SoundGrid), the “anything in, anything out” Orange Box allows conversion of almost any audio format to another. www.digico.biz/

Lawo
Lawo mixing consoles are IP-ready and support current and evolving industry standards for audio-, video-. and data-format interoperability. Offered in multiple configurations with physical console surfaces, channel capacity, and frames optimized for implementation ranging from mobiles and flypacks to large production complexes, the mc² Series comprises the recently introduced mc²96 Grand Production Console optimized for IP production environments; the mc²56, which is also available with optional surfaces providing extra free controls (mc²56xc) or dual faders (mc²56xt); and the all-in-one mc236.

Lawo mc²96

The company also offers a range of solutions for remote-production and automated-mix applications: standalone cores; the mc2 Micro Core universal networked audio engine, the Compact Engine AES67 audio node with on-board DSP, and the new Power Core 1RU IP-based mix engine with modular I/O options. All the solutions can perform audio-mixing and routing functions under remote control of vision mixers or third-party automation systems and also offer several options for virtual (software-based) control panels that can be optimized to support specific workflows and do not require localized physical fader surfaces. Multiple stagebox I/O offerings support IP interfacing of analog and digital sources for remote-production applications. In addition to DALLIS modular frames, Lawo now also offers the A__line AoIP interfaces for managing analog, AES3, MADI, and RAVENNA/AES67 audio connections, including functionality for remote mic pre control and operation of audio-mix functions from a remote location using a browser-based interface that can be customized for specific workflows. All Lawo consoles, cores, stageboxes, control software, and Nova Series routers offer multiple configuration options with protocols supported for automation and studio/remote management applications, including the VSM Virtual Studio Manager broadcast-control and -monitoring system and SOUL (Seamless Orchestration and Unification Layer), the company’s newest offering for control of networked production infrastructures. www.lawo.com

StageTec
Stagetec’s three consoles for on-air broadcast share similar modular surface designs, DSP, and I/O-routing architecture. All feature hot-swap capability, up to four independently controlled mic splits, full redundancy up to double optical lines, light weight, and extremely low power consumption.

Stagetec AURUS

The flagship AURUS platinum multiformat production console is available with eight-96 faders and per-setup–scalable core resources featuring 218-822 or 128-32 mix buses at 48 kHz (176-386 or 128-32 mix buses at 96 kHz). In 5.1 and 7.1 surround sound, stereo and mono can be done simultaneously, with 5.1 on-board downmix/upmix capabilities and separate multiple-bus configurations. The console offers fully motorized fader dynamic automation and editable snapshot and scene automation.

The CRESCENDO platinum mixing console offers a slimmed-down control surface and price but with the DSP power available in the larger AURUS when needed. All controls are within easy reach of a seated operator. Snapshot and scene automation is extensive, with the ability to set glide times between snapshots. Audio-follow-video control muting and levels changes via external control are readily available through the NEXUS LOGIC system.

The ON AIR flex flexible mixing console is aimed at the radio and smaller TV-broadcast markets. The modular, flexible, and scalable system features control surfaces that can be laid out to the broadcaster’s specification for combo, studio, or edit operation. The work surface consists of self-contained fader modules (four in each and up to 24 faders maximum per system) and a monitor module. The browser-based GUI software runs on any PC linked via Ethernet to the controller unit mounted in the system frame.

Available next year, AVATUS is a fully IP-based large mixing console with 21-in. multitouch displays. Control elements and interfaces are connected through standard Ethernet. The control surface and other elements communicate via IP networks, enabling remote production. The interface is highly flexible, allowing customized function assignments. The console can be split, since the displays can be relocated as required. AVATUS provides more than 800 input channels and 128 sum buses. Channel formats range from mono to 7.1. Integrated features include the de-esser, implemented as an audio module; loudness metering; limiter; compressor; expander; gate, and the Stage Tec automixer. Control-surface sizes range between 12 and 96 channel strips. The AVATUS is based on standardized technologies and protocols, facilitating control by and integration with third-party devices. Interconnectivity with other systems will be further enhanced by implementing the AES70 standard. www.stagetec.com

SSL
System T is a fully networked broadcast-audio–production environment, designed from the ground up to provide the power to handle large-scale productions in a multiplatform delivery-driven future. It has an entirely IP-based networked control and audio infrastructure and a highly configurable architecture that can adapt to a huge range of applications and operator requirements. Routing and I/O is Dante-based, featuring Dante HC (high-channel) connectivity and full device discoverability. SSL’s pristine SuperAnalogue foundations combine with 64-bit floating-point processing and mixing to ensure unlimited audio headroom with the power to execute complete algorithms within a single sample. A range of hardware and software control interfaces can be placed anywhere on a network with up to three consoles or control interfaces accessing a single or fully mirrored redundant pair of Tempest processor engines. Multiple engines can be used on a single network. A single T80 Tempest Audio Engine can handle more than 3,000 inputs and 3,000 outputs and has a capacity of 800 fully processed audio paths.

SSL System T fully networked broadcast-audio–production environment

There is a wide selection of network objects available to the System T environment. Control options, for example, range from large multi-operator surfaces incorporating the latest multi-gesture touchscreen technology to single fader-tiles and PC-based control software. The latest additions include the T25 Engine (reduced-capacity engine), the Tempest Control Rack (rack-mounted control system with optional fold-out touchscreen aimed at automated broadcast environments and mobile/remote broadcast applications), and the Network I/O: 32.24 (Dante stage rack with Dante-based isolated split features).

The SSL C10 HD Plus is a compact, midscale broadcast console with a user-friendly interface. The C10’s Blackrock Processor is built into the control surface, making it excellent for OB-vehicle installation. Production-assistant features include Dialogue Automix, 5.1 Upmix, DAW Control, and C-Play (an embedded dual-player playout system). C10 and its range of I/O provides system-wide integration with comprehensive connectivity options, compatibility for Grass Valley, Ross, Sony, and Mosart production-automation systems, compatibility with Riedel RockNet and Optocore installed audio networks, and interfacing to Dante IP audio networks via the SSL MADI-Bridge. www.solidstatelogic.com

Studer
Vista Infinity Broadcast Mixing consoles, including the Vista V and X models, retain the patented Vistonics and FaderGlow user interface from previous products in the Vista line, providing control of 800 or more audio DSP channels and more than 5,000 inputs and outputs. At the heart of the system is the Infinity DSP core, which uses CPU-based processors to provide huge numbers of DSP channels for large-scale, high-resolution audio processing and mixing. This offers significant advantages, as CPU processing provides a scalable system, faster development of new signal-processing designs, huge channel counts, full system redundancy without a single point of failure, and the possibility of running third-party algorithms. The new Infinity DSP engine provides 12 A-Link high-capacity fiber digital audio interfaces, providing more than 5,000 inputs and outputs. A newly designed high-density I/O system, known as D23m, is used to break out these A-Link connections to standard analog, digital, and video interfaces. The A-Link interface also provides direct connection to the Riedel MediorNet distributed router, allowing many Infinity systems to be connected together with router capacities of 10,000 square or more. A key element in the design of the Infinity Series is to avoid the possibility of a single fault’s causing loss of audio, and, with four independent processors offering complete redundancy of the control surface with instant switchover between the main and standby CPU-based mixing cores, this is achieved without audio break. www.studer.ch

Wheatstone Dimension Three

Wheatstone
Wheatstone is positioning its newly introduced IP console series — Dimension Three (Touch), Series Two, Series Four, D8-EX, large-format IP-64 — for the burgeoning at-home–production market. Any of these IP-based consoles can be located at the home or main studio with the WheatNet-IP audio network used for audio transport and control between the venue and main studio through a long-haul link. This makes it possible to trigger from the main studio any IFBs and mics at the sports venue and to send raw media down the line for final mixing. The IP console receives the raw audio across the long-haul link and through the WheatNet-IP network of virtual audio services for final mixing and production. With audio services such as mix-minus, audio processing, and automation control virtualized into software modules, rather than as fixed hardware on the console, all functions are seamlessly and easily accessible anywhere on the network. For instance, audio ingest can be done locally at the event, and levels can be controlled remotely from the studio IP console. Mixing and processing audio can be done locally or remotely in real time, and the WheatNet-IP audio network itself can serve as an IFB backbone routable by simply triggering crosspoints in the network. www.wheatstone.com/

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