Distributed in 94 countries, Mix is the world's leading magazine for the professional recording and sound production technology industry. Mix covers a wide range of topics including: recording, live sound and production, broadcast production, audio for film and video, and music technology.
Riedel Communications‘ state-of-the-art Artist Digital Matrix Intercom System, as well as the company‘s digital beltpack system Performer, will be the heart of VERSUS‘ communications system in its new 18,000 square foot HD production studio in Stamford, Connecticut.
VERSUS, a cable television sports network owned by Comcast and shown in the United States, reaches more than 72 million homes with live event programming that includes the Tour de France, the National Hockey League (NHL), collegiate sports from top conferences such as the Pac-10, Big 12 and Mountain West, the America‘s Cup, and World Extreme Cagefigthing. VERSUS will be utilizing Riedel‘s cutting edge technology at the network‘s studio to ensure seamless communications during production.
“I was impressed with the system‘s audio quality,“ commented Paul Koopmann, director of engineering for VERSUS. “It‘s a far superior product in its design in both its intuitive user interface for programming and ease of change. The control panels were more flexible, offered additional features and were easier to use. I was truly blown away when I saw the panels.“
VERSUS employed one Artist 128 intercom mainframe just in time for the NHL season, which began on September 30. Artist is designed as a powerful matrix platform for intercom, as well as the distribution of analog and digital audio and TCP/IP data signals. The system consists of a fiber-based network backbone providing a decentralized infrastructure for live audio and intercom applications. Multiple matrix frames (nodes) are interconnected by a dual optical fiber ring to form a single large, full summing, non-blocking distributed matrix. The maximum distance between two nodes can be up to 1650 ft as standard, and optionally up to 12 mi. This allows a high degree of decentralization of the entire matrix in a very cost-effective way. As a result, the matrix frames can be located near the intercom stations of a specific studio or production facility, saving a considerable amount of wiring and installation costs.
“When you have to wear a headset and talk to people that are in different locations, you don‘t want them to sound like they are communicating over a tin can for six hours of a production,“ stated Koopmann. “What truly sold me was when I put the headset on and listened to the quality of production; I was floored because it sounded like there were professional audio microphones all around.“
The Artist 1000 LED Series provides easy-to-operate, high-tech control panels with broadcast quality audio, minimum dimensions and outstanding design. The 1000 Series are the premium control key-panels from Riedel and are available in 19“ rack-mount, desktop and modular (Danner) versions. VERSUS will be using the RCP-1012, the DCP-1016 and the ECP-1012PT from the Artist 1000 Series. All control key-panels feature bright, dimmable 8-digit alpha-numeric LED displays, individual rotary encoder for listen level control and LED level indication for each talk key. A special alphanumeric 8-digit LED display key has been developed, which allows clear labeling of destinations and excellent readability under all lighting conditions. These exclusive display keys are used on all 1000 Series control and expansion key-panels, resulting in an ultra-compact design. All Artist control panels are connected to the matrix digitally through an AES3-Signal over a single Cat5 or Coax cable resulting in perfect audio quality.
“The Riedel system, unlike others, is modular,“ Koopmann adds. “You can start with whatever size you want and build up. That was critical, because with our growth in sports programming, I can‘t lock myself into a size. It gave me the flexibility and versatility to be able to do what I need today, as well as tomorrow, with growth.“
Versus also employed the Performer Series with the use of the C44 and C3 two-channel digital beltpacks. The C44 system interface makes the Performer Series the first fully integrated ‘digital‘ solution for combined digital matrix and partyline intercom. The C44 converts four two-channel CAT5 matrix ports to four powered beltpack lines. Up to 16 beltpacks can be daisy-chained on each line, one single C44 can power up to 38 beltpacks. C3 is an ergonomically shaped, fully digital 2-channel beltpack that includes popular features from conventional analog partyline systems including daisy-chaining. Unlike its analog counterparts it‘s completely noise-free and hum-free.
The Connect Solo Telephone Hybrid interfaces the Versus intercom system via analog a/b telephone connections to PSTN public telephone networks. The device combines two independent analog POTS telephone hybrids in one halfrack/1RU device. One unit - two hybrids: This saves rackspace and is a valuable advantage, especially for mobile production units. The Versus installation features four Connect Solo devices, which can be conveniently controlled directly from the control panels via the integrated telephone key-pad of the ECP-1012 PT expansion panels.
About Riedel
Riedel - one of the major suppliers of communications equipment to the 2006 Olympic Winter Games in Torino - designs, manufactures and distributes the most sophisticated intercom and radio technology for customers worldwide in the broadcast, pro-audio, event, sports and theatre industries. The products reflect today‘s leading-edge technologies that expand conventional concepts into tomorrow‘s applications. The Riedel group of companies also includes a European based large rental operation that provides radio, intercom services, event accreditation & ticketing systems as well as fiber-based audio and video transmission systems. The Company was founded in 1987 and today employs over 150 people located within 7 locations in Europe, Asia and North America.
Aviom, the world leader in personal monitor mixing technology, was an important element in the audio system for the production of Love In: The Musical, a theatrical celebration of the music of 1967 featuring legendary artists recently held at Birch North Park Theatre in San Diego.
The event featured the award-winning Pro16 personal mixing system, with an Aviom digital snake distributing all of the mixes to a Yamaha PM5D console outfitted with an AVIOM16/o-Y1 A-Net® Interface Card.
Adams Entertainment, who also produced last year‘s live documentary/concert Primal Twang: The History of the Guitar, filmed the Love In performances for commercial release in 2008. That meant that the show‘s audio producer, Henry Austin of Professional Production Associates, had to design a system that would serve the needs of both the live and recorded elements of the production.
“I selected Aviom for this mission-critical gig for several reasons,” Austin explained. “Traditional monitor wedges will typically cause an inordinate amount of leakage from the stage and the cumulative effect of this leakage ruins the recording process and negatively impacts the FOH audio quality as well. My design integrated acrylic shields and sound absorbent material and this contributed greatly to the separation and clarity of the live mix and recording. Without the Aviom personal mixing system, these additional isolations would not have been noticed.”
Austin also explained how the Aviom personal mixing system worked well in conjunction with the Future Sonics in-ear monitoring system chosen for the project. “The Future Sonics IEMs compliment the Aviom output circuit and really sound ‘Hi-Fi.‘ It was this combination that helped sell the idea to the artists, who were unfamiliar with the technology. Once they heard it, they were sold. Each band member could control his personal blend, which allowed Bob Meyers, the monitor engineer, to focus on the wireless mixes.”
For Meyers, Love In provided an opportunity for him to discover a new technology that helped make his life easier. “As a professional Monitor Engineer for the past 25 years, it’s great to see new technology that actually helps simplify things and make monitor mixing easier instead of just complicating the issue,” said Meyers. “Once the musicians got comfortable with their in-ear monitors and saw how simple it was to adjust what I was sending digitally to their Aviom mixers, they had very few adjustments for me to make. Plus, with numerous musician changes and some complete band changes, the only way this worked was using the presets on the mixers. With everything else going on between bands, I don’t think it would have been possible to pull this off without the use and reliability of the Aviom system.”
The ease of set-up and new level of control provided by the Aviom system made the shows a great experience for all involved, from the players to the producers to the engineers working on the project.
“Director Anthony Adams requested that the stage have a ‘clean, uncluttered appearance‘ and the size and footprint of the little blue Aviom mixers helped create a spacious look for the film,” added Austin, who also produced the audio for Primal Twang. “Plus, the power to each mixer is carried with the signal in a small Cat 5 run and, again, kept the stage looking dressed and pristine.”
For a veteran audio professional like Henry Austin, discovering Aviom has been a revelation. “I find it ironic and amusing that some of the larger audio manufacturers continue to boast louder and louder monitors capable of cutting through a wall of guitar amps. It is these same companies that also hold seminars on system setup and optimization. But a great sound system with the best FOH engineer can be tuned to the 9’s, and if there is too much leakage on the stage, it will sound terrible. I am thankful for the invention of Aviom. This is a welcome tool that is long overdue.”
For more information, visit www.aviom.com. For more on the event, visit www. http://www.loveinthemusical.com.
Aviom is the world leader and pioneer of personal monitor mixing technology with the popular Pro16 Series, as well as the exclusive developer of the revolutionary Pro64 Series of audio networking products. All Aviom products are powered by A-Net®, the company‘s groundbreaking high-speed digital audio transmission protocol. Aviom products solve problems in a variety of different environments, including live sound reinforcement, audio recording studios, houses of worship, theater, broadcasting and post-production facilities and a host of commercial installations. Aviom‘s entire line of high-quality professional audio products are designed and manufactured in the USA.
Riedel Communications, pioneer of advanced intercom and radio technology, has added several new products to its Performer digital partyline intercom series. The world‘s first digital partyline intercom system featuring high-quality digital audio now provides 2 and 4-channel master stations, rack-mount, wall-mount and desktop speaker stations, call light indicators and 2-channel beltpack headset stations.
Performer CR-4 / CR-2 Master Station
The new Performer master stations CR-4 (4-channel) and CR-2 (2-channel) are the ideal choice for setting up a stand-alone digital partyline system. Depending on the setup, the integrated power supply of the 19”/1RU device can power up to 32 Performer devices - such as beltpacks, split-boxes or desktop speaker stations - per line. Additional power-supplies easily expand the possibilities. The clear user interface ensures ultimate performance and flexibility. The color-illuminated buttons are ideal for applications in operational environments. The remote mic-kill function allows the user to silence any open microphone on the intercom channels. The CR-4/CR-2 features an additional program input that can be mixed individually to each of the intercom channels. Other features include individual listen volume controls for all partylines, Call and S-Call, IFB, and an on-stage function for using the intercom microphone with a PA system. The CR-4/CR-2 can be operated using a headset or an integrated powerful loudspeaker with a gooseneck microphone. The new Performer CR-4 / CR-2 Master Station are scheduled to start shipping in October.
Performer CD-2 Desktop Speaker / Headset Station
The CD-2 Desktop Speaker/Headset Station provides the same feature set as the CR-2 Master Station with the exception of the internal power-supply. This makes the CD-2 ideal for operation as a desktop speaker station or - in combination with an external power-supply - as a 2-channel master station for setting up a stand-alone digital partyline system.
Performer CW-2 Wall Mount Speaker / Headset Station
The CW-2 Wall Mount Speaker/Headset Station comes with a standard 4-gang outlet box and provides an easy-to-use 2-channel digital intercom panel. The large rotary level controls combine volume control and a talk button with momentary/latching operation. The unit can be operated using a headset or an integrated powerful loudspeaker with a microphone. A call signal LED, Call and S-Call function complete the feature list. The CW-2 can be powered from the partyline or via a local power supply.
About Riedel
Riedel - one of the major suppliers of communications equipment to the 2006 Olympic Winter Games in Torino - designs, manufactures and distributes the most sophisticated intercom and radio technology for customers worldwide in the broadcast, pro-audio, event, sports and theatre industries. The products reflect today‘s leading-edge technologies that expand conventional concepts into tomorrow‘s applications. The Riedel group of companies also includes a European based large rental operation that provides radio, intercom services, event accreditation & ticketing systems as well as fiber-based audio and video transmission systems. The Company was founded in 1987 and today employs over 150 people located within 7 locations in Europe, Asia and North America.
Riedel Communications, pioneer of advanced intercom and radio technology, has added several new products to its Performer digital partyline intercom series. The world‘s first digital partyline intercom system featuring high-quality digital audio now provides 2 and 4-channel master stations, rack-mount, wall-mount and desktop speaker stations, call light indicators and 2-channel beltpack headset stations.
Performer CR-4 / CR-2 Master Station
The new Performer master stations CR-4 (4-channel) and CR-2 (2-channel) are the ideal choice for setting up a stand-alone digital partyline system. Depending on the setup, the integrated power supply of the 19”/1RU device can power up to 32 Performer devices - such as beltpacks, split-boxes or desktop speaker stations - per line. Additional power-supplies easily expand the possibilities. The clear user interface ensures ultimate performance and flexibility. The color-illuminated buttons are ideal for applications in operational environments. The remote mic-kill function allows the user to silence any open microphone on the intercom channels. The CR-4/CR-2 features an additional program input that can be mixed individually to each of the intercom channels. Other features include individual listen volume controls for all partylines, Call and S-Call, IFB, and an on-stage function for using the intercom microphone with a PA system. The CR-4/CR-2 can be operated using a headset or an integrated powerful loudspeaker with a gooseneck microphone. The new Performer CR-4 / CR-2 Master Station are scheduled to start shipping in October.
Performer CD-2 Desktop Speaker / Headset Station
The CD-2 Desktop Speaker/Headset Station provides the same feature set as the CR-2 Master Station with the exception of the internal power-supply. This makes the CD-2 ideal for operation as a desktop speaker station or - in combination with an external power-supply - as a 2-channel master station for setting up a stand-alone digital partyline system.
Performer CW-2 Wall Mount Speaker / Headset Station
The CW-2 Wall Mount Speaker/Headset Station comes with a standard 4-gang outlet box and provides an easy-to-use 2-channel digital intercom panel. The large rotary level controls combine volume control and a talk button with momentary/latching operation. The unit can be operated using a headset or an integrated powerful loudspeaker with a microphone. A call signal LED, Call and S-Call function complete the feature list. The CW-2 can be powered from the partyline or via a local power supply.
About Riedel
Riedel - one of the major suppliers of communications equipment to the 2006 Olympic Winter Games in Torino - designs, manufactures and distributes the most sophisticated intercom and radio technology for customers worldwide in the broadcast, pro-audio, event, sports and theatre industries. The products reflect today‘s leading-edge technologies that expand conventional concepts into tomorrow‘s applications. The Riedel group of companies also includes a European based large rental operation that provides radio, intercom services, event accreditation & ticketing systems as well as fiber-based audio and video transmission systems. The Company was founded in 1987 and today employs over 150 people located within 7 locations in Europe, Asia and North America.
At IBC2007, German intercom manufacturer Riedel Communications showcased its improved PMX-Series panel multiplexers. Designed for panel distribution and transport of audio signals, the PMX-Series provides users with a cost-effective solution that minimizes setup time when used to remote four (PMX-2004) or eight (PMX-2008) intercom panels from the Riedel Artist or Performer 32 digital intercom matrix using a fiber link.
Offering optimal convenience to end-users, Riedel‘s PMX-Series allows for the operation of a group of intercom panels over a distance of 500m (1,600 feet) or 2km (1.2 miles), depending on the SFP modul. The PMX-2004 provides four BNCs to connect to matrix ports or panels plus a duplex LC fiber connector. In addition, the PMX-2008 holds two such modules, thus 8 intercom panels can be remoted from the matrix via two fiber links.
The PMX can be used at the matrix end or the panel end of the fiber link by setting a switch at the rear of the unit to the appropriate position, while status information is provided by four LED‘s on the front panel. Adjusting to distance needs and the existing fiber infrastructure are easily attained through the PMX‘s improved fiber connectivity with exchangeable SFP modules on LC connectors.
About Riedel
Riedel - one of the major suppliers of communications equipment to the 2006 Olympic Winter Games in Torino - designs, manufactures and distributes the most sophisticated intercom and radio technology for customers worldwide in the broadcast, pro-audio, event, sports and theatre industries. The products reflect today‘s leading-edge technologies that expand conventional concepts into tomorrow‘s applications. The Riedel group of companies also includes a European based large rental operation that provides radio, intercom services, event accreditation & ticketing systems as well as fiber-based audio and video transmission systems. The Company was founded in 1987 and today employs over 150 people located within 7 locations in Europe, Asia and North America.
Riedel Communications, pioneer of advanced intercom and radio technology, featured its latest version of the Director configuration software at IBC2007. The Director software provides the facilities, look and feel associated with using most Windows software products so that the basic navigation, location and operation of the standard features are familiar. A real-time application, Director enables the engineer to see all actions of the user on the panel, eliminating the need to walk to the user who has reported a potential problem.
Director is easy to learn and extremely convenient in its use. Configurations are easily edited by drag-and-drop. Programmable logic functions provide the possibility to handle complex production requirements with ease, while free definable markers allow customized signalisation throughout the system. In addition, the Audio Patch function facilitates all internal routing and DSP aspects of any control panel of an Artist system to be configured and saved remotely, reducing a considerable amount of time in setup and service of the system.
The new 5601 version of Director is fully loaded with cutting edge functions and features. A “Scheduler” has been installed to change certain aspects of the configuration at a predefined time. An “Events” feature allows the loading of configuration changes. These configurations are easily stored in the system. A “Port Short List” has been incorporated to provide elaborated options to sort the port list for a better overview. The new “Set Input/Output Gain” function allows gain control for 4-wire and digital partyline ports directly from the panel. Other new features include an updated “Side-tone” function and an “Alias names for ports” function, which has been created to allow the temporary renaming of ports without losing their original names.
A high degree of monitoring and diagnostic features are implemented to allow the maintenance personnel to quickly solve a problem or to assist the user due to the real-time Crosspoint View function in conjunction with the full remote control of each aspect of the system. Control panel and matrix activities can be logged for later inspection. Multiple PCs control and monitor the system using the Ethernet connection on the network interface controllers. All PCs show the online configuration status simultaneously, and each can access and change the configuration according to its user rights. Since the configurations are stored within each networking Artist frame, the system‘s reliability won‘t be affected by the failure of a configuration PC.
An extensive user level control allows for setup of user groups with dedicated access rights to the system. Whole configurations and parts of the configuration can be saved and reloaded as “partial files” so that system setups for different types of productions can be stored and recalled easily.
About Riedel
Riedel - one of the major suppliers of communications equipment to the 2006 Olympic Winter Games in Torino - designs, manufactures and distributes the most sophisticated intercom and radio technology for customers worldwide in the broadcast, pro-audio, event, sports and theatre industries. The products reflect today‘s leading-edge technologies that expand conventional concepts into tomorrow‘s applications. The Riedel group of companies also includes a European based large rental operation that provides radio, intercom services, event accreditation & ticketing systems as well as fiber-based audio and video transmission systems. The Company was founded in 1987 and today employs over 150 people located within 7 locations in Europe, Asia and North America.
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Attention game sound developers: We're guessing you didn't always work in videogames; we know a lot of you have roots in music and post. Tell us why you made the switch to the game world, and the name of the first title you worked on by e-mailing mixeditorial@mixonline.com.
