RedTX Uses Studer Vista 8 Digital Console To Drive The UK’s Most High Profile Concert Recording And Broadcast Events

From sold-out Rihanna concerts to the UK’s popular TV show The X-Factor, RedTX has been the driving force behind many of the UK’s live broadcast performances for years. Providing sound for such a wide array of performances and events, the company has needed an arsenal of equipment that’s reflective of its services, which include versatility, functionality, and usability. It is because of this that RedTX recently purchased a Studer Vista 8 digital console for all of its recording and broadcast needs.

According to Tim Summerhayes, Sound Engineer for RedTX, one of the most important features of the Studer Vista 8 is the snapshot recall that comes standard on every console. Because RedTX works at many events that feature multiple acts, it is often forced to change the sound parameters in a very short amount of time during many shows. With the Studer Vista 8, RedTX has the ability to pre-program EQ, gain, and every other component before the actual show and adjust for each song in live time at the touch of a button.

One of the events where the Studer Vista 8 played a pivotal role was during the broadcast of the UK’s hugely popular reality show, The X-Factor. The show pitted 12 contestants or bands against one another, with a panel of high profile judges eliminating one contestant each week. According to Summerhayes, each song required its own arrangement, but the engineers had very limited rehearsal time before the broadcast. With the Vista 8 console, RedTX was able to work out the requirements with the engineers and producers before the show, and adjust for each band at the touch of a button during the broadcast.

“With the Studer Vista 8, it was like each performer had their own console,” said Summerhayes. “With the snapshot recall, we were able to dial in the recall for each band in about 2 seconds and at the touch of a button. With other consoles, the changeover is choppy and harsh, but with the Studer Vista 8, it’s absolutely seamless and fadeless.” 

Another event where the console’s versatility, functionality, and usability were key was at Rihanna’s concert in December at London’s Brixton Academy There, RedTX worked with the performers sound team during two rehearsals to program the console before each show, where it was possible to set the EQs and effects before the show, and isolate certain channels on the console during the show for a flawless performance.

“Operationally, the Vista 8 is very intuitive and straightforward,” continued Summerhayes. “It’s like any computer when you know where all of the parameters are, and you can just go to it and change it. The headroom is good, the metering is excellent, and the fact that we can adjust with layers is amazing. It’s just a high-end board that we couldn’t do without.”

Globo TV Takes Second Vista 8 From Libor

Brazil’s leading television network, Rede Globo Television (TV Globo), has commissioned a new Studer Vista 8 live/broadcast console.

The sale was confirmed by the company’s territory distributor, Sao Paulo-based Libor Comercio E Importacao, who has been working with the network since its inception 20 years ago.

Libor’s president, Henry Spong says that following early sales of Studer recorders and CD players there had been no further sales of Studer equipment to the station until relatively recently — after the Vista 8 had been previewed in late 2004. “The following year the network became the first in Brazil to purchase a Vista 8 from us — in time for the FIFA World Cup of 2006.”

It was the success of this first Vista 8 that prompted the latest purchase of a 50-fader desk. “TV Globo’s excellent experience with the original desk was fundamental in achieving this sale,” believes Henry Spong.

The new console takes up residence in a large production complex (known as Projac), in the Jacarepagua area of Rio de Janeiro. Here eight identical studios are used (principally for soaps) along with two large audience participation studios for shows.

It was the digital upgrade of the first of these large ‘auditorium’ studios to full HDTV capabilities that saw the Vista 8 specified as the main audio desk, after simpler solutions had been adopted for the less critical requirements of the ‘soap’ studios.

“Although there was strong competition, and all major brands were evaluated, no other console was able to match the all round performance of the Vista 8,” continued the Libor president. “We were able to close the deal by offering competitive pricing and good after-sales support.”

It is the comprehensive snapshot system and dedicated mute groups that make Vista 8 the perfect multipurpose solution for live performance and live studio broadcasts, combining and extending the powerful on-air features of the Vista 6 with the dynamic automation of the Vista 7. Furthermore, the new control bay design offers more faders in a smaller footprint making it ideal for both fixed install broadcast and remote vehicle applications.

TV Globo have sent personnel to the Studer factory for training to apprise them of the performance, operation and servicing of the Vista 8, and the network (including project engineers, operation personnel and maintenance) is said to be very pleased with the Vista 8’s performance. “In particular they feel very comfortable with the Vistonics™ operating platform and the redundancy philosophy,” says Mr. Spong.

As a result, a subsequent project will see the first of Globo’s large HDTV OB trucks installed with a further Vista 8.

Studer Consoles With RELINK Functionality Play Leading Role At The National Theatre In Darmstadt

The Darmstadt Staatstheater (National Theatre) in Germany is a multipurpose four-section arts centre, dedicated to opera, ballet, musicals and drama. In 2004 it underwent a major redevelopment at the hands of Waagner-Biro and when it reopened in September 2006 it revealed not only a new entrance and foyer, but an entire technology infrastructure including a new stage and control system, based around a Studer Vista 8 digital mixing platform at the front of house position.

The 52-fader Vista 8 is accompanied by a 20-fader remote desk, which can either be used in the hall or as an extension elsewhere. In addition, more than 60 Crown CTs amplifiers were installed, with PIP modules in the output stage, centrally controlled and monitored via the Harman HiQnet™ System Architect™ control interface. This allows control of the amplifiers from the mixer, and the settings of the amplifiers to be called up as snapshots in the Vista 8 — opening up new communication possibilities between the mixer and peripheral audio technology.

The clients were so delighted with the flexibility and reliability of the Studer 8 — providing a control universe of 550 inputs and 480 outputs — that when they came to equip their recording studio recently, they opted for a Vista 7. They knew this would ease workflow by keeping control within the same operating environment, but there was also one other important aspect, which helped drive the sale.

For both the Vista 8 and Vista 7 can now be connected using Studer’s new RELINK Resource Linking I/O Sharing System, which enables the sharing of resources in both directions.

Christoph Keller was the project leader for Audio Pro Heilbronn, Studer’s German distributor, which was responsible for both console sales: “This was an important development, due to the fact that this is a new technology offered by Studer, and was only launched at last September’s IBC Show. This is one of the first installations where this technology has been used,” Keller said.

The Vista 7 was specified with 42 faders; Dual Joystick Integrated matrix with 400 inputs and 340 outputs: 96 microphone inputs; 24 analogue inputs; 72 analogue outputs; 32 AES In- and Outputs; Aviom Interface for Personal Monitoring; three MADI Interfaces for Digital Audio Workstation.

Largely dedicated to opera, the main concert hall has seating capacity for 956, with another eight seats in the disabled area. The smaller auditorium, predominantly for drama and dance performances, can house 482 spectators, while a new 130-capacity studio theatre was built during the 2006 renovation.

The engineers of the National Theatre are particularly impressed with the Studer Vistonics™ operating concept, the networking over HiQnet and the ability to link and share the desks’ resources. From a practical point of view this allows very fast working within the console environment, they say.

Studer is a unit of Harman International Industries, Incorporated (www.harman.com). Harman International designs, manufactures and markets a wide range of audio and infotainment products for the automotive, consumer and professional markets, and maintains a strong presence in the Americas, Europe and Asia, employing more than 11,000 people worldwide. The Harman International family of brands includes AKG®, Audioaccess®, Becker®, BSS®, Crown®, dbx®, DigiTech®, Harman Kardon®, Infinity®, JBL®, Lexicon®, Mark Levinson®, Revel®, QNX®, Soundcraft® and Studer®. Harman International’s stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “NYSE: HAR.”

Harman HiQnet™ is the world's first connectivity and control protocol that integrates all product categories in the signal chain for professional audio systems of all types, size, and applications. Harman HiQnet no longer requires the user to manage multiple disparate operating systems or be responsible for programming individual signal processors, speaker controllers, wireless microphone systems, and mixing consoles. HiQnet was developed by engineers from across the Harman Pro Group and is coordinated by the System Development and Integration Group (SDIG), a team of dedicated systems specialists based in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Studer Vista 8 Takes Centre Stage At Dresden Music University

A Studer Vista 8 is at the heart of a new concert hall at Dresdner Hochschule für Musik (Dresden University of Music) in Germany, named after the famous 19th century composer, Carl Maria von Weber.

The building was designed over a two-year period to the highest architectural and acoustic standards so that all forms of amplified and unamplified music — from chamber music to full-on rock music — could be optimised. In order to fulfill these exacting requirements, the University turned to a Harman solution, consulting its German distributor, Audio Pro Heilbronn.

The Studer Vista 8 console was recommended in view of its flexibility and portability, providing the ability to be used in different locations and for different purposes. For although the 450-seat concert auditorium forms the centerpiece of the new building, it is annexed by a separate opera rehearsal stage, a library and other practice areas.

For full signal distribution and routing throughout the complex, the Vista 8 is used in tandem with a Studer D21m I/O system, which provides cost-effective inputs and outputs with maximum flexibility, providing full 96 kHz functionality. The main Vista 8 itself is equipped with 30 faders and is situated in the main control room. From here the engineer can control all the inputs and outputs for the live sound and for the recording sessions.

In addition, a 10-fader remote console is available, which can be used either in the control room as an extension to the main desk or as a remote in the auditorium. Auditorium control is useful in setting the balance between the orchestra, and the effects of the amplification on the architectural acoustics of the building. The central DSP unit of the mixer system, the SCore Live with five DSP cards, is housed in a technical area along with other components.

The exchange of audio and control data between the central processing unit, the D21m I/O-modules and the desks is made by a redundant fiber optic network. Two D21m’s are inserted beside the stage, and a further four are housed in the technical room, providing flexibility to move to other positions as required. In total 96 analogue inputs and 88 analogue outputs are available.

Audio effects are provided from an external computer and this merges with the desk’s VST Plug-in capability, so that apart from playback and recording equipment — such as Tascam X-48 hard disk recorders — further audio devices are unnecessary.

The transmission of the audio signals to the sound studio in the old building is also made by glass fibre. An RME ADI-648 multichannel audio digital Interface offers format conversion from MADI to ADAT (and vice-versa) ensuring that data between the Pro Tools HD recording system in the studio and the Studer system in the new building can be exchanged.

Says Recording Studio director, Dirk Homann, “The quality and capability of the audio technology fulfills our requirements and expectations. “Our annual Jazz/Rock/Pop concert has proven that all forms of electro-acoustic music can deliver excellent, evenly-dispersed sound in this environment.”

Today more than 600 young people study music from all over the world in Dresden across an unusually broad spectrum. And the Studer Vista 8 platform will help them achieve their ambitions to the maximum.

Czech Television Broadcasts FIS Nordic World Ski Championships in HD with Studer Vista 8

Czech Television’s HD OB Van was in operation during the entire FIS Nordic World Ski Championships in Liberec, Czech Republic, between February 18th and March 1st, to the great satisfaction of the sound engineers. The only threat to the event was the possibility of no snow, which would have been a nightmare for the organizing committee, but finally 120 cm of snowfall over the period of the event meant that all the connecting cables from the truck to the remote stageboxes almost became a fixed installation until the early summer!

Higher temperatures and a thaw over the last 2 days finally allowed the crew of the HD Van to leave Liberec. "Over 50 hours of live broadcast was made on the Vista 8, an integral part of Czech Television’s first HD OB Van. All the standard features of this digital system, in particular the user-friendly intuitive operation, very good sound quality and overall system robustness passed the demanding test of this sports event under severe weather conditions.” The events were watched by nearly 200,000 spectators over the 2 week period.

“This comprehensive live application confirmed that the Studer Vista is able to meet our demanding expectations," reported Mr. Milan Gazdik, Senior Engineer of Audioengineering, Czech TV Prague and a member of the EBU Production Management Committee.

Important Factors For Selecting An Audio Console For Live TV Production

Studer Vista 8 Digital Console Offers Ease Of Use And High Operating Speed

With the arrival of HDTV, there has been a re-evaluation of the importance of sound in today’s television production. With the rising popularity of home cinema systems, 5.1-surround sound has rapidly become more common for home entertainment applications. With this, there is an expectation from the television audience that HDTV is not only about better quality of picture, but also about an enhanced listening experience. With the growing trend in Surround Production, choosing an audio console for live TV production is becoming a more important decision.

Control surface design is the largest difference between all console manufacturers today. For live TV, ease of use and speed of operation are key elements for an operator to ensure error free productions. Flexibility and functionality are important factors, however the challenge for console manufacturers is to offer a concept of operation that is not only very intuitive but can also withstand the constant evolution of new functionality.

From very early digital consoles, the concept of ‘Central Assign’ became a philosophy that allowed manufacturers to greatly reduce the size and number of controls on the surface. The idea of selecting a channel to a single panel, which offers controls for all functions, was adopted by many and it seemed a logical concept, but it comes with many disadvantages. One major disadvantage is the lack of overview of all the settings of the console. Screens can assist this by showing the information, but the problem is that there is constant ‘mind mapping’ to see settings which are not located where the controls are; you may be controlling in one place but having to look in another. Also, there are problems relating to multi-user environments. Unless you incorporate multiple ‘Central Assign Panels’ it will be very difficult for more than one person to work on the console simultaneously.

The Studer Vista 8 operates with the principle philosophy of channel strip operation. Most operators find this very intuitive, as one’s instinct is always to go where the channel fader is located to access the functions of it. The patented Vistonics technology offers a graphic interface with great overview of the channel settings and allows the user to control exactly where he/she is looking. This allows for intuitive operation and is very comfortable for the user. This also frees up thought power for the creative and management role of the mixer. The concept also includes a ‘one touch to access’ rule, which means that if you do not have access to a function, it is only one press away. This is essential for the high-pressure environment of live TV.

One major consideration when designing a control surface for a digital console is the need for flexibility to ensure that it is future proof for both manufacturer and customer. The control surface must allow sophisticated software functionality to be added in the future and have a means to provide the controls and philosophies to support this.

It is a growing trend for broadcasters to use studios for a number of tasks including live productions as well as simple post-production work. Therefore, large scale broadcast consoles must be versatile enough to suit smaller applications. With such a multi-purpose studio, the audio console must offer a changeable channel bus/architecture to fit the various applications. The flexibility of the console provides the customer with the peace of mind that he/she needs to handle any type of show or application. This flexible DSP philosophy also allows Studer to incorporate DSP algorithms that allow the customer to easily update existing setups with any new functionality.

In the TV environment, system integration of the audio console is becoming more and more important. The Vista 8 D21m IO system offers a completely modular hardware concept that requires no advanced pre-wiring. Systems can be expanded at a later date by adding cards in a ‘plug and play’ manner with no need for pre-wiring at the time of order. The 96 KHz IO system allows Studer to design and add new cards to the system as and when new formats become standard. Recent additions include HD-SDI embedder/de-embedder cards that make system integration very easy and cost effective. It also reduces potential points of failure by eliminating the need for an external solution. Dolby E decoder cards are also available which becomes very space saving as it is possible to have 24 Dolby E decoders in a single 3U frame with redundant power supplies. With the flexibility of the system, more and more customers are utilizing the console’s internal router as the main audio router of a studio or truck. This again is very elegant from a system point of view as the console router can be controlled by third party video control systems including NVision, Grass Valley, Probel and Leitch to name few.