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BIG BEAR EQUIPS RTE's MAIN OBV WITH DIGIDESIGN VENUE
And a second, D-Show Profile provides the Broadcasters
with additional portability, capacity and redundancy
Big Bear Sound has supplied Radio Telefís Éireann (RTE) — the Dublin-based independent state broadcaster — with two Digidesign live digital mixing systems (and full support packages) for use in their outside broadcasts.
While an integrated VENUE, Stage Rack and FOH Rack have been installed in the company’s main OB radio truck, a smaller D-Show Profile, using the same operating platform, will be used both as back-up for smaller venues where carry-ins are required — and for additional redundancy and channel capacity on larger classical events and festivals for which the broadcasters provide coverage.
The D-Show mainframe and Sidecar combination are fitted with HDx cards, enabling RTÉ to multitrack using their new Pro Tools HD3 rig, purchased at the same time from Big Bear Sound.
The search for a new digital console began 18 months ago when the OBV’s previous console started to become too high-maintenance. “It became a cheaper option to look for a replacement rather than keep repairing,” reasons RTÉ’s senior radio producer Anton Timoney.
A number of factors worked in Digidesign’s favour — durability and dual redundancy, the ability to create a consistent workflow with RTÉ’s many Pro Tools HD-based radio studios and the ease of use of the D-Show control surface.
Big Bear Sound also supplied Digidesign® VENUE Pack Pro’s with DSP cards, offering a bundle of five additional plug-ins for each desk. Thus the main Pro Tools plug-ins RTÉ run in their studios in Donnybrook have been replicated in the truck — essential to maintaining consistent workflow. “We are all Pro Tools literate at RTÉ and compatibility is a major issue,” emphasizes Anton.
In fact RTÉ has four HD2 systems installed in its radio studios; the Concert Hall has another 48-track Pro Tools HD facility, while other OB’s are equipped with Pro Tools LE running Digi 002 racks, or M-Box stereo recording.
Another important consideration in the decision making was the fact that Digidesign’s main service centre for Europe is based in nearby Sandyford, where RTÉ engineers first evaluated the console.
“Having experienced unreliable service in the past, the importance of having local technicians on hand cannot be overstated,” believes Big Bear Sound’s Managing director, Michael Browne, whose company has been servicing the broadcaster’s equipment needs for nearly two decades.
Anton, and RTÉ Programme Support Manager Donie Stritch, agree — adding that they were further persuaded by the rising number of sound engineers now using VENUE, including many of their own sound crews.
And it’s easy to see why. “The front end of the desk sounds so much better than other desks we listened to,” they assess. Anton Timoney also notes that the console’s topography is such that all faders are within easy reach, and the VCA groups allow easy and flexible control over multiple faders.
There was another criterion the console had to meet, and again Digidesign ticked the box: it was vital that the desk could travel. “Having the dual-redundancy feature meant we didn’t need to worry about power supply failure — but knowing we had the Profile as a back-up provided us with additional comfort. At music festivals the last thing you want to be doing is phoning up for spare parts.”
Finally there is VENUE’s ease of use. “The desk is highly intuitive and as soon as we downloaded the software on a USB key we could use the desk set-ups.” In fact Anton Timoney was sufficiently confident to take the new desk straight out on a 55-mic rig at the National Basketball Arena.
The live broadcast of RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra’s presentation of Mahler’s Eighth Symphony offered prime territory for VENUE. “With an orchestra of 150 plus a 600-700-piece choir, the confidence factor in being able to mix on this desk was huge.” For similar large-scale events, the channel capacity can be increased by slaving the Profile’s 48-channel Stage Rack to the VENUE and Sidecar rig, giving a total of 96 channels.
This combination also offers many advantages during the festival season, when RTÉ takes in around half-a-dozen major events including Oxygen and Electric Picnic; taking lines from each of the Stage Boxes they can flip-flop the desks between successive bands without the need for repatching.
Similarly, in restricted access scenarios, RTE can make use of Profile’s portability knowing they have complete workflow compatibility with the VENUE back in the truck.
In fact all that has been needed to turn a top-flight PA console into a consummate broadcast facility has been the addition of a monitor switcher with Peak Program Meters (PPM’s) — making it a win/win for the RTE sound engineering team.
ENDS
