NCP Adds Calrec Audio Sigma Console to Rebuilt Showtime Boxing Truck

New Century Productions (NCP) will rely on a Calrec Audio Sigma with Bluefin HD DSP on its NCP V truck, currently being rebuilt from the wheels up. NCP is using fiber to eliminate about 1,000 pounds of copper cable and patch bays and enable the refurbished HD truck, NCP V, to run without a B unit. NCP V will utilize both MADI and Calrec’s Hydra Networking for  I/O connectivity.

“Using MADI internally enables us to eliminate some 1,536 cables and an equal number of patch points, reducing weight and bulk and simplifying operations,” says Mike Mundt, NCP director of engineering. “The Sigma console displays an input and output page for MADI, making what were once patch points accessible on a computer screen. As a result, setups can be saved and recalled for recurring shows, which further saves time. NCP has a long-standing relationship with Calrec; we purchased our first Q2 in 1998. The mixing desk on this truck is NCP’s eighth Calrec console. We have found them to be unmatched for quality and reliability, essential considerations in mobile television.”

Currently being integrated at Little Bay Broadcast in Madbury, NH, NCP V is a 53-foot expando trailer designed for set-shoot-strike operation. Equipped with the new Calrec audio console, plus new monitoring and infrastructure, the truck’s principal mission will be to cover boxing for Showtime.

The truck’s Calrec Hydra audio networking system will use redundant gigabit Ethernet fiber to bring signals into the 64-fader Sigma mixer from ringside while also sending eight outputs back for monitoring.

Based on the Calrec Alpha Bluefin operating platform, the Calrec Sigma Bluefin digital console provides 320 channel-processing paths that can be configured for up to 52 x full 5.1 surround channels. Channel capacity is further enhanced by a huge buss structure that is provided for completely in DSP, including four surround mains, eight surround audio subgroups, 20 auxiliaries, and 48 tracks. The system also provides up to 432 mono elements of up to 2.73 seconds of audio delay to cope with any synchronization problems.