RTE in League with Calrec

Irish Broadcaster RTE has purchased a 38 channel Sigma 100 digital console for its main sports studio at its Dublin Headquarters.

RTE will install the console into Studio 6 at Television Centre as part of a move towards full digital transmission. Studio 6 is RTE's Live Sports Studio and transmits The Premiership (RTE's version of Match of the Day), the Scottish Premier League and 6 Nations Rugby, as well as the Rugby World Cup. RTE are also the only station to transmit the Premier League free-to- air.

"Calrec understand broadcaster's needs in a way no other manufacturer does," says RTE's Senior Sound Supervisor Ian Pike. "It was natural that when Calrec produced a mid priced console it would be a serious contender for us.

"We are planning to switch to full digital transmission, and the vision side of things was digitised two years ago. As our current sound desk reaches the end of it life it was an opportune time to switch to a digital sound console.

"We particularly like the speed of the boot up time, Flash ROM, and the fact that the console is completely independent of the PC. We also liked the ability to see where each channel fader is routed, whether it is mic/line or digi, and whether it is routed to the Mix minus bus.

"We have a number of Calrec analogue consoles and these have proven themselves down the years for quality of sound, reliability and ease of use with all our Sound Supervisors.

"All the terms on the Sigma are very familiar and we can sit in and drive it immediately...it looks like a digital version of the Q-Series!"

RTE are Ireland's national broadcasters transmitting two TV channels and three radio channels. They have a Public service remit and provide a wide variety of programmes from Entertainment, Sport and News to Current Affairs and Documentaries.

NEP Double Up S2 to Make Five

NEP Super Shooters, Inc. in Pittsburgh has purchased two 60 channel Calrec S2 mixing consoles to refurbish two of their well established remote units.

Established in the early 1980’s NEP is one of the biggest Outside Broadcast companies in the US boasting 19 remote units and 12 support vehicles. This installation takes the total number of S2 consoles installed at NEP to five, and the total number of Calrec desks to 16.Completely rebuilt from the chassis up in the summer of 2003, the first S2 board was installed in Super Shooter 12. The second is due to be installed into Super Shooter 4 later this year.

The company has recently covered the America's Cup, World Series, US Golf Opens, Super Bowls, Marathons, 1998 and 2000 Goodwill Games, World Cup Soccer in 1999 and World Cup Skiing for the 2002 Winter Olympics.

Calrec X Series On Display

Calrec are part of British broadcasting history at the National Museum of Photography, Film and Television in Bradford.

Calrec’s X Series digital radio console has been installed in BBC Radio Leeds’ studio in BBC Bradford, which is part of the National Museum.

Officially opened by former BBC Director General Greg Dyke, the studio broadcasts three live programmes every weekday - the Breakfast Show from 6-9am, Good Afternoon with Bob Walmsley from 2-4pm and the BBC Asian Network from 6pm - as well as two weekend programmes.

Museum visitors can also watch journalists and presenters from BBC Radio Leeds, and Asian Network, Look North and BBC Bradford Online working live in the new trimedia studio.

Founded in 1983, the National Museum of Photography, Film & Television quickly became the most visited national museum outside London, attracting approximately 750,000 visitors each year. From its outset the Museum set new standards in display and interactivity. Visitors can obtain a hands-on experience of the media, learning how television cameras work or trying their hand at animation among other activities

The installation is part of Calrec’s ongoing commitment to the BBC’s English Regions refurbishment programme.

S2 #3 Completes Studio Refit at TVNZ

Auckland-based broadcaster TVNZ has completed an eight year refurbishment with the installation of a 36 channel S2 console into Suite 1.

The installation brings the total number of S2 consoles at TVNZ to three - one in each of the live-to-air and pre-recorded production suites.Suite 4 (live to air news) and Suite 3 (live and pre recorded lifestyle production) were first to be fitted with 48 channel S2 consoles.

Suite 1, used for live and recorded lifestyle and news shows, completes TVNZ’s extensive programme.

We began our upgrade projects in 1995," says Head of Operations Paul Hedges. "After extensive market research we decided to go with Calrec S2. The users were heavily involved in setting the specifications and after site visits to Sydney received very favourable feedback about the Calrec consoles."

When TVNZ upgraded Suite 1 they looked to Calrec again.

Operator John Prinsloo says: "It was an analogue desk which suited our purposes. The desk is extremely intuitive and easy to operate, although that is apparent even in Calrec's new digital consoles. The S2 console offers all we want and our experience with Calrec has been very positive. The console meets all our needs, the implementation and installations have all gone very smoothly and our mixers enjoy using them."

Sigma Goes Down Under at TV3

TV3 in New Zealand has purchased a 32 channel Calrec Sigma 100 digital console as part of a refurbishment to their PCR1 live studio.

Based in TV3's studios in Auckland , PCR1 is the broadcaster's main production suite. The studio has a large news commitment, including unattended hourly newsbreaks, an hour- long evening news, and a late-night half hour show.

"TV3 has always had a commitment to utilising state-of-the-art technology, and finding the most efficient way to use its resources," says TV3 Sound Supervisor Tim Pattinson

"Once we had committed to digital we know we needed a dedicated broadcast console that would cover our needs now and for the future. The Sigma covered the specification, and at the right price.

"Although it may look different to an analogue desk, the Sigma is utterly conventional in its operating method. We could get a signal from input to output within a minute of seeing the desk for the first time! There are no catches, anyone can make the desk work very quickly and it is powerful enough to do complex programmes without having to do a lot of head scratching.

"Typically for Calrec, the build quality is absolutely superb and exudes quality. That is a definite confidence boost to users, and also means that the life of the desk is extended...and that pleases company management!

"We were also able to tightly configure the i/o on the desk for our particular production suite. I think a big problem for many people upgrading or refurbishing is making a cost effective decision on i/o. With a sensible level of i/o on the Sigma boards, we were able to fine tune what was needed to complete the installation, and to future proof our studios.

"The Sigma allows us to quickly reconfigure, essential when one person may have back-to-back sports, news and entertainment shows in a single shift! It also allows us a much smaller work surface than an equivalent sized analogue desk, which is critical for extended operational periods."

TV3 is a commercial national broadcaster, on the air since November 1989. This is TV3's first refurbishment for 14 years.

For more information about TV3 please contact Tim Pattinson at tpattinson@tv3.co.nz , tel: 64 9 3779730

Outside Broadcast Observes New Calrec

Dublin-based outside broadcast specialists Observe OB Ltd have expanded their fleet with the installation of a 48 channel Calrec S2 console into new unit SS3.

The new scanner made its debut at the Heineken European Rugby Cup Final on May 24th, 2003 at Lansdowne Road Stadium, Dublin. Live feeds were sent to RTE, the BBC, TV2 France and Catalonia TV.

SS3 is a 12 meter double expander with facilities for 20 cameras, 10 VT and 4 EVS machines. Upcoming events include the Opening Ceremony for the Special Olympics Summer Games 2003.

Observe is widely acknowledged to be the leading OB facility team in Ireland. The company currently operates two large OB scanners with support tenders and one small "Minicam" unit. They provide all Outside Broadcast requirements for RTE as well as facilities for other broadcasters. This amounts to over 150 events a year, of which more than 95% are live to air.

"SS3 brings the total of units to four," says Observe Head of Sound Colm Flynn. "The truck has been designed to be flexible and will cover sports, music and awards shows. We chose the Calrec S2 for reliability, flexibility of routing, input headroom, multiple inputs per channel, and quality of EQ and on-board dynamics. It is very user friendly and after sales service is excellent.

"This is not my first experience of Calrec as I used to work in RTE and have extensive experience on their Q-Series and S-Series console, both of which I have operated many times."

OBSERVE were established by Screen Scene in June 2002.

When RTE outsourced their OB requirements in December 2001 the contract was won by Screen Scene, Ireland’s leading Postproduction facility. OBSERVE were established as their OB arm to undertake all facility commitments

Trio Video Trust Calrec for Move into Digital Audio

Chicago-based Trio Video have ordered a 48 fader, 88 channel Alpha 100 digital console for their newest HD-ready remote unit.

The console, Trio’s first digital board, is capable of accommodating 64 stereo and 24 mono channels and will installed into their 53’ long, 47’ expando this fall.

"We decided on the Alpha because of its architecture and ease of operation," says Carl Roszczybiuk, Trio's Director of Engineering. "We will be transitioning operators from analog desks and the Alpha has a certain familiarity and the feel of an analog desk. We think first time users will feel comfortable when using the Alpha. We don't want to scare them off."

Audio Engineer Paul Culler adds: "It is time to move forward and we feel that digital consoles are now much more reliable and solid in their performance. While most mixers would still be happy with Calrec’s Q2's and S2's, digital consoles will be a big help in doing 5.1 audio."

Currently celebrating 21 years in the business, Trio Video operate four remote units on approximately 800 events per year, the majority of which are live sporting events.The company already operates a 48-channel S2 in their flagship 53-foot digital expando, X2.

"Calrec was great in helping us devise a plan to get the most console we could fit into our budget while allowing room for future expansion of the console as our needs grow ", says Jack Walsh, one of Trio's Owner/Managers.

"The flexibility of wiring the console in a larger configuration than we currently need and adding fader modules later is a big advantage. We have had great success with the S2 console and look to the Alpha to broaden our appeal to our clients."

First Order for Calrec Zeta 100 from NBC Olympics

NBC Olympics have become the first customer for Calrec’s new Zeta 100 digital console.

As part of a multi console package of four desks, NBC Olympics will install two 56 stereo channel Zeta 100 consoles and two 108 stereo channel Alpha 100 consoles into their Olympic Broadcast Centre in Athens, Greece for the 2004 Olympic Games.Each console will be used in one of four control rooms, providing independent on-air signals to NBC, MSNBC, CNBC, Telemundo and Bravo.

Launched in the US at NAB 2003, the sale is the first Zeta sale in the world. The console is the third digital board to develop from Calrec’s renowned digital development programme and is based on the field-proven Alpha 100 system architecture.

Second Time Around for France!

Installation specialist Oliver France is experiencing deja-vu...for the freelance engineer has purchased the same 48 channel Calrec M Series analogue console twice in three years!

France, who owns Oliver France Sound in Bromley, UK, has already specified, bought and installed the desk while working with OB Facility Roll to Record.

Having started life at BSB before switching to L!VE TV, Oliver bought the desk on behalf of Roll to Record where it was used for Big Brother 1 and 2, Celebrity Big Brother 1and Richard and Judy.

The console was replaced by a 48 channel Calrec C2 where it goes live to air every day at Cactus Studios in London.Together with GJC Designs’ Gareth Connor, a former Calrec consultant, France bought the desk for the second time.

"These old Calrecs are very sought after regardless of age, and we bought the desk with a desire to bring it back to pristine condition," he says. "I am very confident in Calrec quality. The M Series is a great analogue desk, and Calrec’s reputation for broadcast quality consoles is deserved. You know that you will get out whatever you put into it."

BSkyB Make Political Decision to go Digital with Calrec

British Sky Broadcasting move into digital audio with the installation of a Calrec Sigma 100 console.

The 48 fader, 52 channel console will be installed into BSkyB’s Parliamentary Studio at Milbank, London. It will be the broadcaster’s first digital console for live-to-air mixing.

"With the Sigma we are dipping our toe in the digital world!" says BSkyB Head of Sound Vaughan Rogers.

"Although we use digital consoles in post-production this is our first experience of digital audio for live broadcast. There are several immediate advantages - with the Sigma we get more desk in the same space, and the facilities available far outstrip those on a similar analogue console

"For many years there has been a price issue with digital desks, but analogue and digital consoles are more comparable - in fact given the additional facilities, financially digital is now very much on a par with analogue.

"Boot times on the Sigma are very fast, and the fact that the console does not rely on the PC for operation is reassuring. The desk has a lot of redundancy and it is based on the Alpha 100 which has proved itself to be rock solid."

In addition to parliamentary output the studio also produces live shows four nights a week with "Littlejohn" and "3D".

The refurbishment is scheduled to be completed at the end of April…which gives Rogers a two-week window to restock the Control Room while Parliament is in Easter recess!

Radio Four On Air with X and S

BBC Radio 4 has installed a 12 channel X Series digital console and a 36 channel S2 analogue desk to provide 24 hour network programming over two networks.

The consoles, installed at Broadcasting House in London, work in series with each other with the X driven by the announcer, and the S2 driven by the Studio Manager.

The Radio 4 studio is a transmission control area with the S2 handling most outside sources and incoming feeds. Console routing is configured to operate split operation through two outputs for dual programming in FM and LW. In the event of a network split the announcer drives one programme and the Studio Manager the other.

BBC News has also purchased two Calrec Audio C2 analogue consoles as part of a major refurbishment at their Political Programmes studios at Millbank, London.

The two 24-channel consoles will be installed in MBR1 and MBR2, providing live and recorded Parliamentary radio coverage for Radio 4 and Radio Five Live. Regular programmes include BBC Radio 4's Today in Parliament and The Westminster Hour.

MBR1 and MBR2 have been used continuously since 1991 and will continue to broadcast live material on a daily basis. The consoles replace two Calrec Compact consoles.

CCTV Switch to Digital with Calrec

China Central Television (CCTV) has upgraded to digital audio with the installation of a 32 channel Sigma 100 into their broadcast centre in Beijing, China.

The console replaces an analogue desk as CCTV gear up for digital transmission, and will be used for a variety of programming including talk shows and entertainment. Output from the 400 sq m studio will be live to air 70% of the time.

The installation is the first Sigma 100 console into Asia.

"We tested the console thoroughly and found it to be very reliable with a lot of redundancy - it is very suitable for live broadcast," says Deputy Director of Audio Department Ka Dayuan.

"We were aware that TVB in Hong Kong purchased nine digital consoles from Calrec and underwent a long process before they made the decision, which encouraged us to compare the Calrec with other digital consoles on the market. We were looking for a reliable and easy to operate digital console - the Sigma 100 is very reliable, easy to operate, has a fast boot up time, is hot swappable and has a very sweet sound.

"In addition, Calrec have very good representatives here in China. Jolly Pro Audio Broadcast Engineering Ltd has a lot of experience with digital consoles and in the broadcast industry, and they always serve us well. We have a lot of trust in Jolly."

CNBC Englewood install three Calrec digital consoles

CNBC will install three Calrec Audio Sigma 100 digital consoles as part of CNBC’s brand new Global Headquarters in Englewood, New Jersey, USA.

The state of the art facility, custom designed and constructed for CNBC, is scheduled to go live to air in the fall and is NBC’s first all-digital audio network.

"We are very excited about this new installation," says CNBC Technical Operations Manager Lenny Stote. "Any of our three Sigma consoles will operate with any of our three different studios. We'll have resource and file sharing and digitally remote controlled microphones installed as well."

The consoles are some of the first Sigma boards to be sold in North America - the first was a 40 fader board to NBC’s WTVM in Birmingham Alabama.

"We had some initial concerns as with any new product, but we were well aware of the Sigma and its genesis as an offshoot of Calrec Alpha 100 technology," says NBC Principal Engineer Jim Starzynski.

"The introduction of the Sigma Class console enabled us to acquire the robust architecture of the Alpha at a reduced cost. We had a mandate for robust, failure-free performance and Sigma fulfilled our requirements. It met our technical needs and Calrec management worked to understand and fulfil our business requirements. We were able to get the technology we demanded at a cost within our budget."

CNBC Senior Audio Mixing Engineer John Kerswell adds: "Sigma's mix minus capabilities makes it particularly suited to broadcast. Each direct output can be a mix-minus feed along with a bank of multitrack sends so there are plenty of outputs that are easy to access.

"Second, the desk's DSP redundancy and card/module hot plugging was of major importance to us because we broadcast live sixteen hours a day and need 100% reliability."

London Makes it Double Figures

The London Studios are into double figures with the addition of a 16 channel Calrec C2 to Sound Control Room One at the London Television Centre.

The console is the tenth Calrec console The London Studios have installed and will replace a Calrec Compact as a grams mixer alongside a large-format T Series console in Studio One.

The London Studios operate three T Series desks, four C2’s and two M3 Minimixers. Studio One and Two at the London Television Centre is the main Light Entertainment Studios covering a variety of live to air programming including SMTV, Blind Date and the "Audience with…" series, as well as Graham Norton for Channel Four.

"Introducing the C2 brings Studio One in line with Studios Two and Three. All three main light entertainments studios are now equipped with a T Series and C2 grams mixer as standard, which simplifies things enormously," says Technical Projects Manager Paul Drewitt.

Calrec Delay Brand New Feature!

Calrec Audio have announced a significant upgrade to the Alpha 100 digital production console.

Calrec have introduced an input delay panel into the console which will be an invaluable tool for operators. The function inserts a channel input delay to independent incoming sources. Initially the panel enables operators to insert up to 250ms of artificial delay on up to 42 independent channels.

The panel also incorporates an Interrogate feature to enable operators to see at a glance which channels have delay allocated.

"Artificial delay is invaluable for live broadcasters receiving incoming sources from remote units or international feeds," says Calrec Sales Director John Gluck.

"Video and audio feeds can often introduce significant sync errors. Inserting an artificial delay at this stage of the processing ensures that audio and video signals always match at the critical point in the transmission chain."

The delay panel simply plugs into the console via a SCSI connector and is available as a standard option.

Other new features include reverse routing in interrogate mode and a "bird beating" function, which gives the producer a feed to the cue monitor when the announcer/commentator mics are closed during a break in transmission.

Calrec Audio Awarded Quality Standard Certification

Calrec Audio Ltd has been issued the ISO9001: 2000 standard by the Governing Board of ISOQAR.

The award, for both UKAS and RAB registration, is the most comprehensive of the ISO9000 international standards. Granted in recognition of excellence across design, development, manufacture and after-sales support, the certification follows a rigorous and thorough review of Calrec’s internal and external communication and business procedures.

Calrec Audio’s Engineering Director George Waddington spearheaded the campaign:

"Calrec have long enjoyed an excellent reputation amongst broadcasters for the design and manufacture of analogue and digital audio mixing consoles," he says.

"The ISO 9001: 2000 certification reinforces that reputation by recognising Calrec’s business and administration procedures. We have invested a great deal of time and effort into refining our procedures. It is a credit to everyone involved that the ISOQAR assessors were unanimous in their decision."

Visions Look at HDTV with Calrec

Visions Outside Broadcasts have purchased a Calrec Audio Sigma 100 digital console for a brand new High Definition OB truck.

Due on the road in mid-December, HD1 will be capable of broadcasting both HD and SD standards and is custom designed to cover a variety of events from sport to light entertainment.

"One of the main reasons for switching to digital audio was that it was the easiest way to go 5.1," says Visions’ Head of Sound Paul Fournier.

"The commercial OB sector have been working with all digital Comms for the last decade, so switching to digital consoles is not a frightening concept. We are looking forward to working with features like recall and the fact that there are features such as compressors and cleanfeeds built into every channel saves us both space and money.

"Many of our clients specify a Calrec console as part of their tender. With the development of the Sigma 100, Calrec have switched their analogue concepts to a digital desk. We work with a lot of freelancers, and they are all familiar with Calrec - if they know there is a Calrec in the truck the fear factor goes down."

Visions is the Outside Broadcasting division of The Television Corporation, the UK's largest independent TV Facilities group. Currently operating 16 units including seven Calrec sound desks, Visions has one of Europe's most extensive fleets of OB trucks and TV camera equipment.

MPT Double Up to Digital

Maryland Public Television (MPT) make the switch to a digital infrastructure with the installation of two identical 56 channel Alpha 100 digital audio consoles.

Based in Owings Mills, Maryland, MPT produce live to air programming every day of the week and also provides live studio facilities to clients such as PBS, CBS, ABC, NBC, CNBC, MSNBC, BBC, Fox News, Fox Sports and ESPN.

"MPT decided to pursue a mostly digital infrastructure to prepare for DTV broadcasting, part of which was to employ digital audio consoles and video switchers. We began looking at large format digital audio consoles three years ago," says Audio Supervisor Jim Bigwood.

"We attended trade shows, made visits to facilities and had consoles demonstrated in MPT's studios in order to see all the major players. It was clear that the Alpha 100 is specifically designed for live TV broadcast applications.

"It has built in redundancy and is very intuitive, which means a low learning curve for freelancers. I like the fact that the desk has a very quick boot time, while no critical functions or audio passes through the PC; in fact, one can boot the desk without the PC.

"I also like the fact that any of the faders can be assigned as either mono or stereo and that modules can be switched with ease after the console has been manufactured."

The consoles will be used to equip two identical control rooms - one brand new and one refurbishment. Both studios will be used for live and live to tape programs including Wall $treet Week with Fortune (national on PBS), Artworks This Week, Direct Connection, portions of Motorweek (also seen on PBS), Vid Kid segments (MPT's local children's programming, also national on PBS) and Maryland Health Today.

Lyon Roars In with New Expando

Lyon Video Inc., Ohio, has taken delivery of a 120 input Calrec Q2 analog board for a brand new expando unit.

Installed in their new MU-5 unit, the Q2 is Lyon's first Calrec console and was recommended to Account Executive Chad Snyder by Lyon’s extensive customer base.

"We spent several months asking our clients the characteristics they want in a mobile unit. For the audio portion the Calrec Q2 was consistently the solution," says Chad.

"The best thing about Calrec boards are that there is only one button per function. Both clients and operators have told us they do not want to have to navigate function keys to produce a mix, and the Calrec is very intuitive. The number of inputs, sonic quality and sheer power are also major selling points."

The Lyon Video MU-5 unit is designed to be used primarily for live sports as well as entertainment and concert programming. It is used live to air 85% of the time, and live to tape for the remainder.

At 53’ long with a 40’ expanding section, the unit is already booked to cover ABC/ESPN World Cup soccer, NFL & NCAA Football, the Professional Bowlers Tour and NHL Hockey.

Lyon Video operates three remote units and has studio facilities in Columbus, OH

Alpha 100 Hits Quarter Century in Hong Kong

Hong Kong’s largest commercial television station has placed a order for nine Calrec Audio Alpha 100 digital production consoles through Jolly Pro Audio, Calrec’s distributor in China and Hong Kong.

Television Broadcasts Ltd (TVB), has purchased the consoles to integrate into a brand new all-digital facility in Kowloon, Hong Kong. The new facility is the largest purpose-built television broadcast facility in the world this year and is the biggest single order Jolly Pro Audio has ever processed for Calrec.

The desks are to be used in live variety studios, news facilities and an outside broadcast unit. Delivery is scheduled over the next eight months.

"When TVB identified the need for digital audio consoles it made a comprehensive and detailed study of all the consoles available," says Andy Leung of Jolly Pro Audio. "The Alpha 100 is intuitive, reliable and very broadcast specific. It is a very significant sale and we are delighted to play a part in TVB’s development."

It also represents a landmark for Calrec - the installation brings the global number of Alpha 100 consoles to 25.

Calrec help BBC Train Stations

BBC Training and Development have purchased a 12 fader Calrec X Series digital radio console and a 24 channel analogue C2 for their Wood Norton training centre near Evesham.

The X Series, installed in radio studio 1 in Wood Norton’s Avon Wing, aims to familiarise operators with fully assignable digital self-op radio desks.

In studio 6 the C2 has a specially configured control surface. With the emphasis on the C2’s ergonomic control surface the desk will be used as a training platform to mimic the majority of broadcast environments in modern studios.

Wood Norton offers residential training in studio, post-production and location recording. The centre boasts two fully equipped television studios and four radio studios. Three of the six audio consoles are Calrecs.

The BBC operate a further two training centres at Marylebone High Street in central London and at Elstree in Hertfordshire.

Bow Tie Up Double First

London Outside Broadcast specialists Bow Tie Television have purchased the first Calrec Sigma 100 digital audio console for a brand new truck - the first commercial Hi Def unit in the UK to feature a fully digital console.

The 48 fader, 52 channel Sigma 100 is to be installed into Bow Tie’s UNIT 2, a 13.6m expanding arctic trailer custom designed for sport, music and entertainment coverage.

"We have long thought that we should consider installing a digital console, and the introduction of the Sigma 100 meant there was a broadcast console available as opposed to editing/dubbing desks," says John Knopp, Managing Director of Bow Tie TV.

"From an operational point of view we wanted a desk that looks like an existing analogue desk, where the ratio of faders to inputs is similar and which has the ability to recall standard set-ups quickly."

Broadcasting live to air for 80% of the time and available in mid-September, the introduction of UNIT 2 brings Bow Tie’s number of OB units to five.

Granada Media plc Install Alpha 100 for 3sixtymedia

Granada Media have installed a 32 fader, 48 channel Alpha 100 digital console at their 3sixtymedia studios in Manchester, the third Alpha 100 to go live on air in the UK.

The console is part of a total overhaul to the sound gallery in 3sixtymedia’s Studio 8 facility at Quay Street. Fully SDI 16:9 capable, the 5,300 sq. ft studio is used for a variety of live and pre-recorded productions spanning all genres including entertainment shows, drama and live debates.

"The decision to choose digital over analogue was primarily to facilitate future demands for surround production. Working with digital audio meant that existing audio and video equipment was easily integrated. It will also allow for new digital products to be incorporated with minimum cost and disruption to the business," says Guy Lewis, Head of Technical Operations at 3sixtymedia, a joint venture between Granada Media plc and BBC Resources Ltd.

"The Alpha 100 was chosen for a number of reasons. Important factors included: price, functionality, ease of operation and suitability for purpose. "Confidence in product, support mechanisms, fail-safe signal paths and inbuilt redundancy were also vital.

"The Calrec scored highest when assessed against this criteria. This coupled with a excellent track record of service within Granada Media plc's studios across the UK, made the Alpha 100 the only realistic option."

Calrec Launch Entry Level Digital Broadcast Console

Calrec launch the new Sigma 100 medium format digital audio production console at the 2002 NAB Convention in Las Vegas, USA (booth L2263).

Designed to offer similar specification and functionality to Calrec’s S2 analogue console, of which nearly 100 have been sold world-wide, Sigma 100 is Calrec’s second all digital production console.

Based on time-served Alpha 100 digital architecture, Sigma is designed to be scaleable and provide high levels of redundancy, with hot-swappable cards and panels throughout.

Aimed at production facilities that do not require large-format consoles but cannot sacrifice reliability or technical specification, all channels include 4 band EQ, separate filters, compressor / limiter / expander gate, surround & stereo panning and Mix-Minus outputs.Sigma also features four Surround main outputs, 12 Auxes, 24 MT and eight Groups, with 5.1 and Stereo Monitoring with full Dolby E integration.

"Sigma represents a milestone in Calrec’s strategy of achieving a range of digital audio production solutions for a wide spectrum of broadcast requirements," says Sales and Marketing Director John Gluck.

"Calrec has long provided a range of broadcast-specific console designs that has separated them from its competitors. Calrec is unique in offering a full range of broadcast specific, high performance consoles. The company’s product development program to offer a similar wide range of dedicated solutions for broadcasters in the digital domain is now clearly established with the introduction of the Sigma 100 console."

Targeted at large news studios, medium-sized general purpose production studios and Outside Broadcast vehicles, Sigma is available in four cost-effective processing/input configurations and three frame sizes with a variety of input and output interfaces. These packages ensure no excessive expenditure is needed to meet the demands of very busy, medium-sized studios.

Univision and Sweetwater Sign Up to Alpha 100

Florida-based Univision Network and Sweetwater Digital Productions in California have both purchased Alpha 100 digital audio consoles for studio installations.

Univision Network in Miami will take delivery of a 56 fader board with provision for 88 mono and 24 stereo channels while the Sweetwater Alpha provides 96 stereo and 24 mono channels on a 60 fader console. The orders bring the total number of Alpha’s in North America to nine and the global total to 16. In the United States Calrec have seven boards on-air 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

NBC have on-air Alpha status at New York’s Rockefeller Centre, KXAS in Fort Worth, KNSD in San Diego and two desks at WTVJ in Miami, NBC’s first dedicated all digital station.

Meanwhile, the Ackerley Group have had an Alpha on board their all digital remote unit since 2000, and Pennsylvania-based remote production company NEP Supershooters Inc have a 60 fader/80 stereo channel desk in their Super Shooter Nine Remote unit.

X Series Developed for Blind and Partially Sighted

Calrec Audio Ltd have teamed up with the BBC and Northampton-based Sight and Sound to develop interfacing for blind and partially sighted audio operators.

In partnership with Claire Jennings of the BBC and James Everson of Sight and Sound, Calrec’s X Series digital radio console has been adapted for blind and partially sighted operators. The X Series, currently being installed as part of BBC Consulting & Projects' programme to redevelop BBC Regional Broadcasting sites, has been modified to interface with Sight and Sound’s Job Access With Speech (JAWS) text-to-speech conversion programme.

JAWS has been configured to read fader assignments and input source labels allowing sources to be selected, dragged and dropped without the mouse, and adapted to mix into the operators headphone output to provide comprehensive monitoring.Calrec also devised a series of shortcuts to enable quick and efficient operation on the X Series front end. Additional software has been installed to allow BNCS (Broadcast Network Control System) control of X Series routing of sources onto faders, output routing to main and aux busses and the assignment of input sources to cleanfeeds."The update is a key development in the X Series operational software," says Calrec Software Engineer Andrew Barden. "Our meeting with Claire highlighted a number of issues and joining forces with Sight and Sound and the BBC has enabled us to address such issues effectively."

Sight & Sound Technology was formed in 1982 to provide solutions for people who are Blind or Visually Impaired and people with Learning or Reading Difficulties. They are the leading supplier of equipment to blind and visually impaired people in the United Kingdom.

Soccer Specialists Score S2

Outside Broadcast specialists Telegenic have bagged a hat trick with the installation of a third Calrec S2 audio console.

The 48 channel desk is a repeat purchase of S2 desks in their T4 unit in 1996 and their T5 unit in 1998, and will be installed in a brand new 20-25 camera expando. The unit is due to go on the road in April.

"The truck specifications are similar to our previous two articulated units," says Telegenic Head of Sound Dave Rowley. "The units are used every weekend covering Rugby League and Rugby Union for SKY, and pay-for-view Premiership football produced by SKY for several networks."

In addition to their commitment to BSkyB’s rugby and football coverage, Telegenic cover both the Allied Dunbar League and the Superleague as well as all home rugby union internationals at Twickenham and the Rugby League World Cup, and a variety of events including the Funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales from Westminster Abbey.

Telegenic also operate a 12 camera unit with a 36 channel C2, as well as a VT tape truck. All four units are digital, wide-screen trucks.

Calrec a Safe Bet for RaceTech

London-based company RaceTech have invested in five Calrec M3 audio consoles and a Lip Stick mistiming measurement unit as part of a £6.8m refurbishment of five of their existing mobile units, and the addition of one brand new vehicle.

The company, established in 1946 to supply photographic systems to judge horse racing results, is now one of the biggest outside-broadcast operations in Britian with six mobile units at regional bases in Warwick, York and Raynes Park near Sandown Park racecourse.

"Calrec is recognised as an industry standard," says Project Manager Mick Both. "We fitted a Minimixer in our first semi digital OB truck in 1997 which will continue to be used and we are so familiar with it we decided to use it for the refits.

"The M3’s modular construction is important to us because our customer’s requirements may change over the next couple of years, and we can adapt to meet their demands. The large frame desk is only fitted with 12 channels at present but it is cabled for all channels so we can slot in extra cards and be operational almost instantly."Scheduled to serve some 1200 individual days' racing a year, the refurbishment comes ahead of a major multi-platform deal with "attheraces", a consortium made up of Channel Four TV, BSKYB and internet company Arena Leisure.

"We will be supplying attheraces who will produce the programme for their digital satellite service and other platforms. We will also be supplying betting shop service distributors to enable us to supply core racing coverage from all of Britain's racecourses, to appear on any platform in any part of the world."

Pittsburgh-based NEP Supershooters, LP make the leap into digital audio with the installation of Calrec Audio’s new Alpha 100-OB audio console, launched at the AES exhibition in New York.

The 60 fader Alpha, NEP’s first digital audio desk, will complete a dedicated conversion from analog to digital in both the audio and digital domain in their Supershooter 9 mobile unit. NEP already run five units with a digital video infrastructure, all of which use Calrec Q2 analogue audio desks."The desk is a perfect fit for the space previously occupied by the original Calrec S Series analog desk installed in 1996 - in fact we found we could actually reduce some of the cabling and patch field requirements due to the Alpha’s inherent routing matrix," says NEP Senior VP and General Manager George Hoover.

"Since the customer base for the other trucks adore the Q2, we wanted to maintain the Calrec user interface and reputation for superior sonic quality and rock solid reliability, while taking advantages of the control features of the Alpha desk. Our plan is to take advantage of the popular layout of the trailer and upgrade the systems to current state-of-the art

"Video will feature a Grass Valley Kalypso switcher (our fourth), so it seems logical to bring the audio into the digital realm as well."For NEP the Alpha continues the tradition of Calrec as the right choice - elegant intuitive user interface, superior sonic quality, rock solid reliability, strong mechanical construction and unwavering after sales support."Originally built in 1996 prior to the Atlanta Olympics, Supershooter 9 was a prototype for the development of NEP’s ND1, ND2 & SS22 trailers. It is also very similar to NEP’s Gold & Silver layouts, widely regarded as the premier entertainment remotes in the US.

The S Series console will switch to NEP’s Supershooter 5 unit: "The upgrade will be significant in terms of the number of stereo inputs, multi track sends, and a huge increase in sonic quality over the previous sound reinforcement mixer," adds George Hoover.

Calrec Audio Ltd launched a brand new digital mixing console at the AES show in New York.

Calrec have developed a remote production version of the Alpha 100 digital mixing console which absorbs all digital and analogue processing into the same physical footprint as the control surface."Space is at an absolute premium in remote vehicles, and the new Alpha 100-OB console is the only on-air digital production desk to incorporate all the GPI and system processor cards - as well as all the analogue and DSP racks - within a standard four section control surface," says Calrec’s Sales and Marketing Director John Gluck."All interfacing and cabling has clear and open access from the front of the desk and we have been very careful not to compromise operator comfort by maintaining a generous footwell. The Alpha 100-OB is the only digital broadcast console able to incorporate the entire processing system in this way."Calrec’s internal engineering design department and sophisticated AUTOCAD system enables the desk to be custom designed for a variety of sizes, rangnng from a 60 fader/120 input console with a physical footprint of just 2.39m².

The Alpha 100 provides 24 hours a day live to air audio production for major broadcasters both in North America and in Europe.

In the US, NBC have on-air status at New York’s Rockefeller Center, KXAS in Texas and WTVJ in Florida. The Ackerley Group also have an Alpha on board their digital OB unit in Seattle while NBC’s KNSD in California are installing a 32 fader board.

In Europe Germany’s WDR have an Alpha installed in a remote production unit, with SIC in Portugal operating Alpha 100 consoles both in a remote unit and a dedicated 24 hour news studio. In the UK the BBC, Channel Four and Granada TV have all installed Alpha consoles for live broadcast.

Portuguese broadcaster SIC has gone to air with two Calrec Audio Alpha 100 digital desks.

The desks - one 32 and one 48 fader console - are installed in a 24 hour News Studio and a 54-foot OB unit respectively.

The former is situated at SIC and has been designated to SIC News, a 24-hours a day, seven days a week news station.

"We are live more than 20-hours daily in studio conditions and the Alpha 100 has proved itself to be the perfect choice," says SIC Sound Supervisor Daniel Bekerman, who commissioned both desks."It is very much a hands-on console and is a pure broadcasting product. For example, the routing system is very simple and the fact that we can change the position of a channel with no cuts or clicks during its use speaks volumes."Because we are obliged to guarantee a 24 hour service, every day of the week, we need to secure a service where the console will not break down. When it comes to the Alpha 100 this is not a worry."All the operators speak very highly of the desk; it is easy to adapt, easy to use and extremely complete."

The truck is prepared for a wide variety of events with multitrack (48 tracks) EFX units, Dolby processors for transmission in 5.1 and a powerful communication unit. It has already covered football matches, music shows and has spent two months covering a 24 hour reality show.

The Alpha 100 is now on-air 24 hours a day with major broadcasters both in Europe and North America.In addition to SIC, Germany’s WDR have an Alpha on board a remote production unit, while the BBC, Channel Four and Granada TV in the UK have all installed Alpha consoles for live broadcast.In the United States NBC have on-air status at New York’s Rockefeller Center, KXAS in Texas and WTVJ in Florida, NBC’s first dedicated all-digital station. The Ackerley Group also have an Alpha on board their digital OB unit in Seattle.

Pennsylvania’s NEP Supershooters and KNSD in California have also both placed orders for consoles.

Calrec Audio Ltd have teamed up with Dolby Laboratories, Inc., as a member of the Dolby E Partner Program, to provide software in the Alpha 100 digital mixing console enabling accurate monitoring of 5.1 Surround destined for the Dolby E/Dolby Digital Encoding process.

Calrec have equipped the Alpha 100 to interface to the DP570 Multichannel Audio tool, enabling the desk output to be heard while monitoring the effects of Metadata and downmix options in real time.

"Without the DP570, monitoring the audio as it will be heard by the end user is very difficult. The DP570 provides a cost effective, one box solution," says Chris Gaunt, Product Manager on the Alpha 100.

Jason Power, Dolby's Market Development Manager, adds: "By working with Dolby, Partners will be well placed to prepare for the new digital television requirements using Dolby E. By providing a recognisable logo for this, we make it easy for broadcasters and postproduction houses to see which companies are working on 5.1 audio solutions with Dolby E."

Dolby E technology was designed to ease the transition for DTV broadcasters from two-channel to multichannel audio. The DP571 Dolby E Encoder and DP572 Dolby E Decoder enables broadcasters to distribute up to eight channels of high-quality audio, as well as Dolby Digital metadata, via a single AES/EBU pair, and via two audio tracks on digital videotapes, digital audiotapes, or video servers

Calrec Audio have announced the release of a major new software update to the Alpha 100 digital audio mixing console, boasting a number of features including dedicated independant busses for 5.1 Surround sound.

Version 1.9 software provides the Alpha with 5.1 Surround sound on all four main outputs, and comprehensive monitoring and metering facilities for all elements in the Surround mix.V1.9 also provides user-definable channel isolate facilities on snapshot memory recalls, multiple outputs, VCA grouping and enhanced dynamics.

With fully redundant spares and comprehensive hot swapping, the Alpha provides 48 multitrack/matrix outputs, 20 auxiliary busses, eight audio groups and four main outputs. All desk functions are memorised to snap-shots and full control system reset is achieved without audio interruption.

The Alpha 100 is now on air 24 hours a day on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean. In Europe, German broadcast giants WDR have on air status in their digital truck, while Portuguese broadcasters SIC are live on air with a 32 fader Alpha in a dedicated 24-hour news studio designated to SIC News and in a 54 foot digital truck. Channel 4 in the UK are also broadcasting live with a 52 fader desk at 124 Facilities in London.In the USA the Alpha is on air with NBC at New York’s Rockefeller Center, KXAS in Fort Worth and WTVJ in Miami, NBC’s first dedicated all digital station. Meanwhile, the Ackerley Group have had an Alpha on board their all digital remote unit since acquiring it from Panasonic in early 2000.

Recent sales include purchases by the BBC, Granada Television and Channel Four in the UK, while remote production specialists NEP Supershooters have placed an order in the USA.

Providing both digital and analogue broadcast solutions at IBC 2001, Calrec Audio show the Alpha 100 digital audio mixing console alongside the C2 and the upgraded Minimixer 3.

The Alpha 100 features an assignable digital control surface and provides 48 multitrack/matrix outputs, 20 auxiliary busses, eight stereo or mono groups and four main outputs. Full hot redundancy is provided in DSP and control processing, and all system cards and panels can be inserted and removed under power without damage.Making its IBC debut is the redesigned Minimixer 3, with an extended chassis allowing for 36 channels, four groups and two main outputs. The Minimixer 3 also has chassis sizes for up to 10 or 24 channels.The C2 is custom designed for mobile vehicles and studios and is equipped with a flexible system design enabling group slots to be populated with channels to provide a wide choice of console formats.

Also on show is the Lip Stick™ audio/video mistiming measurement system, removing the need for subjective operation estimation and eliminating the threat of operator error over a complete range of transmission mediums.

Calrec Audio Ltd have supplied a 72 channel S2 audio console to BSkyB in Middlesex - their biggest ever S2 in a studio environment.

The desk, which is custom designed to slot into a 90 degree recess in BSkyB’s refurbished Studio Two Sky News Studio, is also the largest audio desk to ever be installed at the commercial TV company’s Isleworth headquarters.The purchase comes on the back of a 60 channel S2 into studio Seven, used as part of BSkyB’s general election coverage. The desk was used for a straight 22 hours during election night and handled incoming feeds from 48 distinct outside broadcast units."In fact, we now have four S2’s, although this is by far the biggest," says Senior Sound Supervisor Stephen Turner, who has been with BSkyB for 12 years.

"Calrec were one of very few manufacturers to listen to our specific requirements and were prepared to tailor the physical footprint of the S2 to fit in our audio room in studio two.

"This is one of the reasons we prefer dealing with Calrec - they listen to the needs of broadcasters and will adapt their desks to suit. They go out of their way to meet our specific requirements."

The desk will be used exclusively for Sky news output and will run 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Part of a widespread studio redevelopment, the S2 is one of only a few pieces of analogue equipment in the new look digital newsroom.

The first Alpha 100 sale to a UK broadcaster has gone to Channel Four as part of a massive redevelopment of their national Headquarters at Westminster, London.

The 52 fader desk is to be installed at 124 Facilities, a subsidiary company owned and operated by Channel Four with a client list which includes BBC TV, LWT and OnDigital as well as Channel Four.

"We looked at all the available digital desks on the market and the Alpha is the only desk that I could say has been solely designed for broadcast," says Senior Sound Supervisor Rob Eggelton.

"On our visits to the Calrec factory, the Calrec team actively encouraged us to do anything we wanted to the demo desk, including hot swapping the cards, pulling them out of the rack and turning the desk off - they had absolute confidence in the backup redundancy of the desk, which further convinced me of it’s suitability for live production. No other manufacturer would let us do anywhere near as much to their desks...in fact one would not even let us clear a memory down!"I particularly like the flexibility to change the layout of the desk even after it has been installed, and having 20 aux feeds permanently available gives you greater control. No other desk could offer these facilities."

The new sound control room is a dedicated digital environment from source to transmission, with the majority of production live to air.

London-based Outside Broadcast company CTV have installed a 72 channel S2 into OB4, a brand new 52’ x 25’ unit.

The quadruple expando chassis is custom-designed for live broadcast of light entertainment shows. CTV currently provide OB facilities for the large-scale entertainment events such as the Brits, MOBOs, the BAFTA Film Awards and Miss World.

"The truck is designed for bespoke entertainment programmes. We needed to install a large analogue desk with enough inputs to be able to cover live music events and the ability to multitrack," says CTV’s International Sales Director Bill Morris. "We chose the S2 because the truck will be live for at least 60% of the time, and we need to be able to reassure clients of the desk’s reliability."

Weighing in at 40 tonnes with a surface area of 695 square feet, and capable of accomodating 32 cameras, OB4 is the largest OB facility in Europe.

CTV Consultant Neil Wilson adds: "This is the third S2 I have installed. It has the rigidity required for an OB environment, it is liked by all operators and the support from Calrec throughout the purchasing process is second to none."

Expanding Outside Broadcast company Dome Productions Inc have switched to a 60 channel Calrec S2 to kit out their new mobile, a 53 foot Digital Production expando.

Based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, Dome currently operate six units across Canada and North America for companies such as TSN Sports, CTV Sports, CTVSN Sports, as well as many visiting US broadcasters. Coverage includes NHL Hockey, MLB Baseball, NBA Basketball, World Figure Skating and World Track and Field.Although it is their first Calrec console, Dome’s Engineering Manager Dave Pierdon believes it is the right choice."Calrec consoles are purpose built for television production," he says. "All the features I find valuable in a console, such as high reliability, easy operation and a large number of inputs and outputs, as well as monitoring, metering and multi-track options, are all available on the Calrec. I have no direct prior experience of Calrec, but their audioboards have an excellent reputation in the industry."

With a 39 foot expanding side, the new Mobile will be used at approximately 220 event days a year, principally in sports and entertainment environments.

New Century Productions in Pennsylvania have installed a 60 channel Q2 analogue console in their brand new 53 foot expanding trailer NCP V.

The desk is a repeat of the Q2 specification currently in NCP III, a 120 fader (24 stereo) desk with 8 crossfade channels, a 4 channel compressor/limiter & noise gate and a 60x32 matrix.

"We looked long and hard at a lot of consoles, both analogue and digital, but the reaction was the same from everyone we turned to - you have got to have a Q2 if you want to compete in the big league," says Mike Mundt of NCP.

"We already have a Q2, and even the greenest guy can get audio out of it. Plus we can fairly bounce these down the road, and it works every time...even when it has been thoroughly abused!"

NCP now have five large-format units on the road, with NCP V making it’s public debut at the NAB convention in Las Vegas.

Calrec Audio’s T-Series desk is a hit at MTV Europe.

Based in Camden, London, the station have purchased a 60 channel T-Series mixing console as part of a major refurbishment of their Studio A Sound System.The desk is the second Calrec to be installed at MTV Europe in recent years - the station already boasts a Q Series desk in Studio B.

With a client list including Granada Television, Carlton Television, Yorkshire Television, Sky Television, the Paramount Comedy Channel and Channel 5 as well as MTV’s pan-European networks, Studio A is the largest - and busiest - studio at the Hawley Crescent base.

"Studio A hosts an increasingly wide variety of shows, from full live band performances to light entertainment," says MTV Europe’s Senior Sound Supervisor Chris Goreham."As a result, our studios need to be incredibly flexible. The main benefits of the T Series are layout, snapshots and assignability. Most light entertainment shows are big set ups and our clients have very varied needs. We need to turn around shows very quickly without compromising quality."We can spend hours patching up a desk and re-setting EQ’s and dynamics but the T-Series has comprehensive dynamics on all channels, which can all be memorised.

"The console combines the best of both analogue and digital worlds, and has enough inputs for us to cover all the bases."

Calrec Audio Ltd have stepped up their distribution activities in two continents with the appointment of Tokyo-based distributors Fairlight Japan and Lyd-Systemer A/S, based in Oslo, Norway.

Established in March 1993, Fairlight Japan has quickly established itself as the preferred choice in the Japanese broadcasting industry, with NHK, Japan’s national public broadcast network, among it’s clients.

In addition to Calrec, Fairlight Japan also act as distribution agents for Doremi Laboratories Inc and FAR Audio Inc.

Lyd-Systemer A/S, who were officially appointed during the 2001 AES show in Amsterdam, were established in 1987 and represent 18 audio companies including TC Electronic and DPA Microphones.

Calrec Audio have appointed 28 year old David Letson as UK Sales Manager.

A familiar face in the pro-audio industry, David has spent the last nine years with AMEK, including two years as Regional Sales Manager for Europe

Having worked through the design and development process, David brings with him time served experience in product development, software test, technical support and sales. He also spent two years as a product specialist within Amek’s digital division."I have been specialising more and more in the UK broadcast market over the last 12 months and so a move to Calrec is a logical and exciting move," he says.

David will be responsible for identifying and developing sales throughout the UK.

Calrec Audio’s restyled Minimixer 3 made it’s debut on both sides of the Atlantic at the AES exhibition in Amsterdam and at NAB in Las Vegas, sharing the stage with a range of both analogue and digital audio mixing equipment with the Alpha 100 digital audio mixing console and the C2 appearing alongside.

With over 100 Minimixer consoles in daily use worldwide, Calrec has developed the M3 with a brand new chassis design. With 42 modules the new larger M3 is 14 channels larger than the 28 module M3 which had until now been the largest chassis size available. It is also fitted with the existing range of upstand modules, previously available only in limited form on the M3. The larger chassis takes all M3 console modules, retaining facilities such as mix minus on every channel, comprehensive monitoring and stereo and mono auxiliaries, which have made the M3 so successful.

"Customers have been asking for a desk with less facilities than the C2 but with more channels than the M3. This new packaging of the M3 has been designed to bridge the gap between the two consoles," says Sales and Marketing Director John Gluck.The Alpha 100 is a fifth generation Calrec assignable digital control surface providing 48 multitrack/matrix outputs, 20 auxiliary busses, eight audio groups and four main outputs - each of which can simultaneously be mono, stereo or Surround.Custom designed for mobile vehicles and studios, the C2 is equipped with a flexible system design which enables group slots to be populated with channels to provide a wide choice of console formats.

Also on show was the Lip Stick™ audio/video mistiming measurement system, removing the need for subjective operation estimation and eliminating the threat of operator error over a complete range of transmission mediums.

Arena Television Ltd in Sussex has helped Calrec Audio achieve a significant milestone with the purchase a 48 channel Calrec Audio C2 console, part of an extensive refurbishment of their Unit 6 OB vehicle.

The console is the 50th C2 sold since it’s launch in 1998 and will be used primarily to cover live sport, music and light entertainment programmes, both as live broadcasts and recorded shows.

Established in 1989 Arena now have an OB fleet of 10 vehicles with a client list including Sky Sports, LWT, BBC and Channel 4.

"Unit 6 is our largest unit and based on an articulated chassis," says Arena TV sound engineer Mark Cattell. "Last year the unit worked on Sky’s World Championship Darts and Poker Million Tournament, the ITV Pride of Britain Awards and Time Team Live on Channel 4."The amount of facilities for the size of console makes the C2 an ideal choice. The external monitoring capibility, the number and flexibility of the desk inserts and the channel mix-minus facility are all very important for the type of broadcasting work we do."Most of our clients expect to see a Calrec console as part of our equipment specification. Calrec have become the benchmark for broadcast consoles in trucks, particularly for live sports coverage. They have a reputation for build quality and long-term reliability as well as excellent audio performance."

In fact it’s an Arena tradition that has been in place since day one - their first ever OB scanner had a Calrec desk installed from a former LWT truck!

Birmingham based Outside Broadcast company Carlton 021 have purchased two 48 channel Calrec S2 mixing consoles.

The first is for a 12 camera rigid OB control room, the second for a brand new 24 camera articulated Digital Production control room.

021, who number BSkyB, On-Digital, ITV and the BBC among their clientlist, already use two 48 channel S2 desks - and the new desks are exact replicas.

"We actually have three Calrec desks at the moment - a Compact and two S2’s," says Chief Engineer John Fisher. " The new S2’s are an exact repeat of the originals, so we know precisely what we are getting! Calrec have a long tradition of making high quality sound desks that are exactly suited to our requirements. Our trucks cover a range of programme types from major sporting events to two camera addons, but the principal use is for major live sporting and entertainment shows. The S2’s will be used on average three times a week for live broadcast."

Pittsburgh based Outside Broadcast specialists NEP Super Shooters purchased a fourth Calrec console in the space of two months with the acquisition of a 60 channel S2 for their brand new Super Shooter Seven truck.

The S2, to be used for exclusive coverage of the Senior PGA Golf Tournament, comes on the back of an order for three C2 mixing consoles configured as 60, 48 and 36 channels.NEP have been providing Outside Broadcast solutions for 20 years and are one of the largest OB operations in the United States. They have 31 vehicles on their roster, incorporating 14 Calrec desks: two 60 channel S2s, three C2s, seven Q2s and two S Series desks."For high end desks in the Outside Broadcast field Calrec is definitely the market leader," says Vice President and General Manager George Hoover. "When we are choosing a desk the first thing we look for is the Calrec logo"In our application as a rental company, the operators are all freelancers - we see probably 75 to 100 different operators every year. Some work on the desk as part of a package for several months at a time, some just do a single show."Calrec’s range works well for us not only because the operation is very intuitive, but also because you can configure the desk to do just about anything you want to do within the series capability."The three C2’s have all gone to project specific applications in conjunction with Q2’s.The 60 input desk, only the second to be made since the C2’s launch in 1998, will be used as an effects mixer for NASCAR Auto Racing in a new 53 foot expando "B unit" trailer.

The trailer also contains a Sub Control room where the 36 channel C2 serves as a pre-select control point for replays, tracking audio from the VTRs and disc recorders and feeding the main truck’s Q2.

The 48 input desk is installed in a special purpose 48 foot expando truck with a large non-linear edit system, allowing it to also function as a tape release sub-switch control room or to provide a separate unrelated to editing mix.

QVC, the UK’s leading electronic retailer, have made a repeat purchase of a Calrec analogue mixing console to outfit their studio control room B.

The London-based channel have purchased the 48 channel S2 to replace a Calrec M Series desk, to be used exclusively for live mixing of studio output for up to 17 hours a day, seven days a week.

"The Calrec desk has been specifically asked for by the audio operators," says Jon Sobels-Craven, Broadcast Systems Engineer at QVC. "It is an established product with a good reputation for reliability and is intuitively laid out. In a live environment both these factors are crucial."

The desk replaces a 12 year old M Series desk, which has been in active service with QVC for seven and a half years. During that time it has worked solidly every day of the year.

Calrec Audio’s German distributors For-Tune GmbH have made their first sale - a demo M3 analogue production console to Wachtmann Musikproduktion, based in Aschaffenburg near Frankfurt.The small format M3 shipped straight to a demo, while en-route to For-Tune’s northern office in Lengerich...and never left!Hans-Ulrich Wachtmann of Wachtmann Musikproduktion, first saw the console at the Tonmeistertagung in Hannover last November and was immediately impressed."The M3 has a very small footprint given the number of features, and a very traditional work surface, he says. "In addition, the audio quality and ergonomics far exceed any of the digital consoles in the same price range. It was these factors which clinched the sale."

Wachtmann Musikproduktion specialise in high quality classical music location recording and have previously recorded Marion Verbruggen, Matthias Maute, Gerhard Reichenbach, Hanno Mller-Brachmann, Laurenskantorei Rotterdam, Zubin Metha and the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra.

Calrec Audio Ltd have announced the appointment of Patrick Warrington as Technical Director.

Patrick, 35, joined Calrec in 1986 after graduating with a BSc in Electronics and Computing from Warwick University.

He left the company to develop his audio career with the likes of ProBel and 360 Systems before rejoining Calrec as Research and Development Manager in 1997.

"I’m delighted that Calrec have given me the opportunity to help direct the company at board level, particularly as they gave me my first opportunity in the audio industry," says Patrick. "My particular area of responsibility is for new product development and to help steer the technical direction of the company."Sales and Marketing Director John Gluck adds: "Patrick’s pedigree in the industry is second to none and we are delighted to welcome him to the board. His appointment is a pro-active move by the board to further encourage future growth and we are confident it is a tactic which will prove fruitful."

Patrick joins Kenneth Farrar (Chairman), Stephen Jagger (MD), Graham Warren (Secretary), John Gluck (Sales and Marketing) and George Waddington (Engineering) on the Calrec board.

Danmarks Radio have installed a 22 channel Calrec Audio M3 analogue mixing console as part of an extensive refurbishment of their television news studio at TV Buen, Copenhagen.

Committed to producing two live news programmes a day, the M3 desk is the only piece of analogue equipment in the new exclusively digital newsroom.

"With audio equipment in newsbroadcasting the operator needs to be able to see every setting at a glance, and the console layout on Calrec desks are perfect for that," says Project Manager Jens Peter Pihl. "There are a lot of features packed into such a small desk, and facilities such as mix-minus, direct output and talkback are huge selling points."

The order comes on the back of a 48 channel Calrec S2 in 1997: "The S2 played a big part in our decision to go with Calrec in the new studio. It has produced four Hi live news programmes every day since going on air in 1998 and has proved very solid and reliable."We needed a smaller desk with broadly the same facilities and because the same sound engineer will be working on the M3 it helps that the desk surface is the same."

The new digital studio will produce live broadcasts at noon and 5pm every day. The S2 will continue to help produce the two main daily news broadcasts.

Calrec Audio Ltd have won orders to supply Independent Project Engineering Ltd with 14 X-Series digital radio consoles and Dega Broadcast Systems with three 24 channel C2 mixing consoles.

Both orders are part of the BBC Consulting & Projects' programme to redevelop BBC Regional Broadcasting sites in Leeds, London, Kent and Sheffield.

Cambridge-based Independent Project Engineering won the contract to supply and install all four radio stations, while Dega Broadcast were awarded the installation of television facilities at the London, Leeds and Kent sites.

"Working with IPE to ensure X-Series meets the operational needs of the BBC is an exciting opportunity," says Calrec Audio Sales and Marketing Director John Gluck . "This is a very significant contract for us and we are pleased to see this further commitment to X-Series from one of our major customers."Tim Wheeler, Project Engineer at Dega, adds: "The C2 fits all the BBC's requirements in terms of channels and specifications. The C2 is a desk we know very well, and is the same that the BBC installed in their multi media site at BBC Nottingham."

Calrec supplied BBC Nottingham News Centre with a 14 channel C2 and four X-Series desks in 1998: two 12 channel desks installed in Studios 1 & 2 as main on-air consoles, and two six channel desks installed in Studios 3 & 4 for News and programme preparation use.

Calrec Audio Ltd has appointed For-Tune as official distributor in Germany.

Based in Lengerich near Osnabruck in north Germany, For-Tune was established by former broadcast engineer Uwe Seyfert in 1999 and is the official distribution arm of Studio Audio Distribution in Europe (SADIE) GmbH.The company, which also has a service centre in Hamburg and a southern office in Esslingen, has exclusive distribution rights for 12 audio companies.Uwe, who has specialised in broadcast mixer sales for nine years after working as a broadcast engineer for the likes of ZDF, WDR and SWF, runs the Lengerich office."Unlike many rival manufacturers Calrec only make consoles for broadcast and therefore have an excellent understanding of broadcasters needs," he says. "Calrec’s strengths lie in their broadcast-oriented work surface and the reliability of their desks.

"This understanding of the industry makes them an ideal choice for many broadcast specific applications, such as O.B. vans and anywhere where space is a premium consideration."

Calrec Audio’s Alpha 100 digital audio mixing console makes it’s Tonmeistertagung debut at the 2000 show in Hannover.

Providing 48 multitrack/matrix outputs, 20 auxiliary busses, eight audio groups and four main outputs - each of which can simultaneously be mono, stereo or Surround - the Alpha is a fifth generation Calrec desk to feature an assignable digital control surface. All desk functions are memorised to snap-shots and full system reset is achieved without audio interruption.Calrec also showcase their renowned small to mid range C2 and Minimixer 3 analogue consoles.Designed for small to medium size mobile vehicles and studios, the C2 is equipped with a flexible system design enabling group slots to be populated with channels to provide a wide choice of console formats.

The Minimixer 3 has chassis sizes for up to 10 or 24 channels and is available in two frame sizes - 19 inch rack mount 10/2 and desk top 24/2.

The M3 has all the facilities required of a modern broadcast mixing console including mix-minus facilities on every channel, stereo and mono auxiliaries routing to four optional groups and two main outputs with comprehensive monitoring facilities.

Also showing is the Lip Stick™ audio/video mistiming measurement system, removing the need for subjective operation estimation and eliminating the threat of operator error over a complete range of transmission mediums.

The Ideal Home Shopping channel has installed a 28 channel Calrec C2 analogue console to be used exclusively for live broadcast.

Based in Cambridgeshire, the desk is in continuous use 18 hours a day, seven days a week at the channel’s purpose built studio.

Martyn Hales, Managing Director of systems integrator VCS Design, had no doubts about putting the C2 on his shopping list...despite no prior experience of Calrec desks.

"The C2 fit the bill to a tee," he says. "In a live environment easy access is absolutely crucial, and the C2’s facilities for live operation are excellent. Features like mix-minus and on board compressors are useful, and the desk is easy to route.

"We looked around at several other desks, but the balance on price and facilities was exactly suited to our needs."

Calrec Audio Ltd have appointed Jim Wilmer as Regional Sales Manager for North America.

Formerly with Marshall Amplification, Jim brings with him over three decades’ experience of working in live audio, including four years as International Marketing Director for Rose Morris.

"I am delighted to be representing an incredible team of enthusiastic audio professionals at Calrec, particularly at such an exciting time in the broadcast market," says Jim, 49."I have been working with hi tech audio equipment most of my life, but broadcasting is a new challenge, and one which I look forward to meeting."Formed in 1956 in West Yorkshire, UK, Calrec Audio supplies analogue and digital consoles to the broadcast industry worldwide. Sales and Marketing Director John Gluck believes the appointment will maintain and build on the impetus of Calrec’s investment in the North American market.

"Jim has worked in the audio industry for more than three decades and his experience dealing with users, integrators and senior management will prove an excellent asset in dealing with our American customers."

Calrec Audio Ltd. and Nine Tiles Networks Ltd. have announced a technology development agreement in which the two companies will develop a wide area audio networking and distribution system for the Calrec Alpha 100 digital broadcast production console.

The first application of this joint development will be a remote microphone pre-amplifier system for the Alpha 100.

"The availability of Audiolink technology will allow us to provide a robust and scaleable solution to the distribution of source signals on the Alpha 100," says Calrec Audio’s Sales and Marketing Director John Gluck.

"Audiolink uses the same format as that used in part of the Alpha 100 allowing an elegant integration of the products. Calrec identified a need for broadcasters to have a reliable and guaranteed means of accessing remote audio sources. The technology implemented by Nine Tiles and their considerable expertise in this field means we will be able to achieve this with essentially off the shelf proven products. "

Under the terms of the agreement Calrec will also manufacture expanded Audiolink units for Nine Tiles, with on-board analogue microphone and line level input and outputs designed by Calrec.

Kate Grant, Managing Director of Nine Tiles Networks Ltd., says: "The combination of our communications technology and Calrec’s audio expertise will provide opportunities for new digital audio products to suit the rapidly changing broadcasting environment."

Radio 10 in Amsterdam has taken delivery of a large chassis analogue M3 console, Calrec’s first fully-functioned M3 export to the Netherlands.

Installed as part of Radio 10’s refurbishment programme in Production Studio 1, the M3 will be used exclusively for recording commercials and promos at the station."The M3 has lots of facilities for such a space-efficient console," says Chief Engineer Ben van Berk.

"It is very flexible in the way of module choice and has an excellent sound quality, plus group modules, two stereo master outputs and a very clever EQ design.

"A variety of module types enables us to hook up all our equipment, while extensive and flexible routing is very convenient and a switchable insert feature is especially well tailored to our needs

"I have never worked with Calrec before, but they were very willing to modify the console to our specific demands and worked with us to design the best solution. This helped us a great deal."

WIC Mobile Operations of Canada have completed a major refurbishment of their 51 ft Alpha 5 Expando mobile unit with the purchase of a 48 channel C2 analogue console.

The desk, Calrec’s second contract to Canada, will be used for live sports broadcasts including NHL Hockey, curling, football, figure skating, golf, motorsports, basketball, volleyball and skiing.

Based in Hamilton, Ontario, the Alpha 5 unit has undergone a rolling programme of remodification over several years. According to Technical Producer Jim McCauley, the C2 marks the final update."We were looking for a mid range console with multiple ins and outs which would fit into our existing room without the need for extensive modification," he says."I have experience of Calrec equipment from using BBC rentals in Europe (with upside-down faders!), and in several US TV mobiles, such as Game Creek and Unitel."The C2 is of rugged design and scores points for ease of operation. It has a selection of different metering packages and it’s array of multiple sends is great for host broadcaster work."Engineering Supervisor Brian Burtch adds: "The desk fits in the same space as our old console but has three times the capability.

"I have no prior experience of Calrec desks, but I do know of their reputation. Assignments and signal routing is clear, all ins and outs are balanced and there are lots of redundant paths."

Australian Outside Broadcast specialists Global TV have ordered a 60 channel Q2 as part of their build up to the 2000 Olympic Games.

Installed in the second of the company’s two expandable combined production and VTR units - the first already houses a Q2 of identical specifications - the desk will cover Channel 9’s entire OB programme.

"Having a maximum number of inputs, as well as an enormous range of outputs available, is the key to a successful console in an OB facility," says Global TV’s Senior Design Engineer Steve Connellan."Operators are continually looking for more and more outputs right up to the end of a job. The beauty of the Calrec desk is that there are always outputs available."

Established in 1988, Global TV are the largest OB company in the Southern Hemisphere with 10 OB vans and a range of associated support vehicles. In addition to twin Q2 consoles on the road, Global also house a Calrec S2 at their Sydney studio.

High Wycombe-based Telegenic have installed a 36 channel C2 into their 12m rigid scanner Outside Broadcast vehicle.

Established in 1983, Telegenic have developed a solid reputation for OB location broadcasting and the C2 comes as part of a major refurbishment according to Telegenic’s Head of Sound Dave Rowley: "The vehicle has been completely stripped and rewired, and the video side has been digitised," he says."The sound area has a new jackfield, desk and outboard kit. The new C2 replaces an eight year old Calrec Compact - it is renowned as a reliable workhorse and is an industry standard."We particularly like the fact that there are plenty of auxillaries, comprehensive monitoring selection, input level LED’s on faders and comprehensive technical support."With a big commitment to BSkyB’s rugby coverage, Telegenic cover both the Allied Dunbar League and the Superleague as well as all home rugby union internationals at Twickenham and the Rugby League World Cup.

The C2 is Telegenic’s third Calrec signing in four years, having installed S2 analogue mixers in both their articulated OB vehicles in 1996 and 1998.

BBC Birmingham have ordered a 26 channel C2 audio console as part of their Studio B refurbishment at Pebble Mill in Birmingham - replacing a Calrec mono 20 channel desk of over 15 years continuous service.

The C2 will be used as the main transmission desk for local TV news output including BBC Midlands Today and Midlands @ Westminster.

BBC Resources have installed a Calrec C2 console at BBC Elstree Studios, their second desk in 12 months.

Stage One’s 16 Channel C2 matches an identical console installed at the studios’ Lot Gallery and is a like-for-like replacement of a Calrec Compact Mixing Console of similar specifications.

Installed over a single weekend, the C2 is used daily for recording to VT and multi-track on award winning BBC soap opera EastEnders, which freely switches between the two different galleries.

Northern Ireland’s Ulster Television has ordered a 48 channel chassis S2 desk as part of their Studio 1 refurbishment at their Belfast studios, their second Calrec console purchase in three years.

"We installed a 48 channel S series desk in Studio 2 two years ago," says Controller of Technical Operations Bob McCourt. "It was good value for money, providing all the facilities we needed and has given trouble free operation ever since."The dynamic processing on the S2 is particularly user friendly, but generally the facilities and quality match our requirements."Studio 1 is a 2,500 square foot studio at Ulster Television and the desk will be used for a variety of programmes from interviews, chat shows to light entertainment and game shows.

The S2 will be used for live broadcasts and on at least one programme a week, including "Kelly", a Friday night 90 minute music and chat show.

GRAMPIAN Television have placed an order for a 24 channel C2 analogue console as part of their Studio B upgrade in Aberdeen.

The C2 will be used on Grampian’s North Tonight news programme, a daily live broadcast Monday through Friday.Grampian’s Technical Manager Phil Cormack maintains that Calrec scored highly on after-sales service - but that isn’t the only reason why the station chose Calrec."The main reason we went for the C2 is that we already have two Calrec desks - one in our main studio and one as an OB console. Everyone here is familiar with how Calrec’s desks operate and we like them," he says.

"In addition Calrec have always provided us with a first class service and their after sales back up is excellent - they have always been on hand if we run into difficulties."

NBC owned and operated station, KXAS Fort Worth, has ordered a 32 fader Calrec Alpha 100 digital audio console for it’s facility in Fort Worth, Texas.

The console will form the heart of News and other live audio production at the station.The Alpha 100 was chosen after an extensive evaluation of the digital console marketplace and technology. The core system design, no-compromise specification, ease of operation and supplier reliability were significant factors in choosing the Alpha 100.

The order forms part of a wider co-operation agreement between NBC Inc. and Calrec for the development of digital audio production consoles for live broadcast operations.

The Calrec Audio booth at NAB 2000 will be host to two consoles ordered by divisions of NBC Inc.

A 60 channel Q2 bound for NBC Olympics Inc. and a 32 fader Alpha 100 digital console for Station WTVJ Miami will be on display throughout the exhibition, stand R491.The Q2 is one of three consoles purchased by NBC Olympics Inc. for the 2000 Games in Sydney, Australia. Two of these consoles will also be used in the Winter Olympics at Salt Lake City, UT. in 2002.

The Alpha 100 digital production system is one of two consoles ordered by WTVJ, Miami, Fla. for an all new digital production facility and will be installed immediately following NAB 2000.

At the NAB 2000 in Las Vegas Calrec Audio will launch Version 1.0 software for the Calrec Alpha 100 digital console.

This software is focused on production and on-air applications providing 48 Multitrack/matrix outputs, 20 auxiliary busses, 8 audio groups and 4 Main outputs. All Main outputs can be surround, stereo and mono simultaneously. All desk functions are memorised to snap-shots and full system re-set is achieved in less than 60 ms without audio interruption. The system hardware has been designed to provide the high level of reliability required for critical live production and on-air operation, with redundant processing systems and hot-plug cards throughout. The Alpha 100 provides an extremely fast boot time of less than 15 seconds from power-on. At the smaller end of the range, Calrec will introduce the M3 remote production and live broadcast console. The M3 is available in two frame sizes - 19" rackmount 10/4/2 and desk top 20/4/2. The M3 has a high specification with a choice of input module types, 4 Auxiliaries, Mix-minus on each channel, up to 4 optional Groups and 2 Main outputs. Channel and Group slots are interchangeable enabling more channels to be fitted in desks without Groups. The desk is self-powered with optional hot PSU capacity. The M3 is a high performance high quality console for applications where sound quality, rugged construction and high feature levels cannot be sacrificed due to minimal installation space.

Along with the Alpha and M3, Calrec will be exhibiting their long established range of analogue of consoles, Q2, S2, and C2. In addition to these, Calrec’s Audio/Video Mistiming Measurement system, LIPSTICK™ will be on display.

AF Associates Inc., providers of studio design, engineering and installation services based in Northvale, NJ. have supplied two 36 channel C2 Production Consoles to Fortune 200 Company. The company's diverse, highly technical and dynamically changing product line demands continuous and sophisticated training efforts for a extremely large sales force.

The consoles have been installed into the company's Television Production Studios and are being used for the production of staff training materials and other business related projects.

AF Associates Senior Project Manager, David Linick, recommended the C2 based on past experience and performance of a Calrec T Series digitally controlled analogue console. Space was also an issue for and the compact size of the C2 made it a perfect choice.

NBC owned and operated station, WTVJ Miami, has ordered two 32 channel Calrec Alpha 100 digital audio consoles for it’s new facility in Miami, Florida.

The two consoles will form the heart of News and other live audio production at the station. They will be located in a new facility built to provide WTVJ with all digital production and transmission facilities.The Alpha 100 was chosen after an extensive evaluation of the digital console marketplace and technology. The core system design, no-compromise specification, ease of operation and supplier reliability were significant factors in choosing the Alpha 100.

The order forms part of a wider co-operation agreement between NBC Inc. and Calrec for the development of digital audio production consoles for live broadcast operations.

BBC Resources will be using a 36 channel C2 console and an M3 mixing console for their Olympic Game coverage this year.

Both the C2 and the M3 will be in use from 9 September to 1 October in the BBC’s Sydney 2000 Olympic Games Sound Control Room .The C2 and M3 enable broadcasters to meet all operational needs required without compromise and with the highest level of confidence in performance and reliability.

Gareth Pinney, Senior Project Manager for BBC Resources C & P, commented that the two consoles were chosen for their ease of use and excellent facilities.

National Mobile Television, Seattle, WA. have ordered a 60 channel C2 analogue mixing console.

The console is the largest C2 Calrec have built since it’s introduction in 1997 and will be installed into National Mobile Television’s Remote vehicle Unit A9 based in Los Angeles CA.Unit A9 is a 48 ft expandable trailer, the sides expand to 28 ft. The C2 replaces a Harrison TV - 3. It will be in use 4 - 6 days a week broadcasting mainly live major sporting and entertainment events in the Western United States for stations such as Fox Sports, ABC, NBC, ESPN, and MTV.

National Mobile Television’s Vice President, Western Division, Frank Coll commented: "Calrec’s reputation in the television industry for superior quality and performance, coupled with cost effectiveness was our main reason for choosing the Calrec C2."

A 48 Channel C2 will replace a 40 Channel Raindirk Symphony at the Maidstone Studios, Kent, England.

The C2 production Console will be in frequent use in the newly refurbished Studio 1 for Media Merchants, Screenshop and Flextech Productions and for other live broadcasts.When asked why the Calrec console was chosen above all others, Barry Nutt, Maidstone’s Engineering Manager, highlighted the quality and reliability of the console. Also of importance was the familiarity of the Calrec consoles to freelance sound supervisors. This is increasingly of significant advantage to production studios.

Mike Erander, Maidstone’s Sound Supervisor preferred the Calrec console because of it’s well thought out functionality and versatile mix minus options. VCA sub groups, supplied as standard with the C2, were also important.

Carlton Television, Abingdon Studios have taken delivery of a 36 Channel Calrec S2 analogue console.

The console will be used for live Central News bulletins between 5am and 11.30pm, and the early evening regional news at 6pm daily. It replaces a Sony MPX2000.Head of Technical Resources for Carlton’s Central Region, Dave Peregrine, favoured the S2 for its uncomplicated operational features.

The S2 is to be installed by studio installation specialists, Ian P Kinloch Ltd.

Synergistic Technologies Inc. Canonsburg PA. For a new High Definition Television Remote Production Vehicle. The console is due to be installed February 2000 and will be the first Alpha in the field.

National Broadcasting Company Inc. New York NY. For NBC’s Network News, New York. This sale forms part of a wider co-operation agreement between NBC and Calrec for the development of digital audio production consoles for live broadcast operations. National Broadcasting Company Inc. New York NY. Two Alpha 100’s which will form the heart of News and other live audio production in an all new digital facility at NBC’s owned and operated station WTVJ Miami FL.

The Alpha 100 was first shown at NAB 99. It is an all digital audio console for live production and on air use. The Alpha has been designed to match the reliability of Calrec’s analogue range of consoles. Interest in the Alpha 100 continues to grow as the console ships to the first customers.

Calrec have introduced the M3 remote production and live broadcast console. The M3 is available in two frame sizes - 19" rackmount 10/4/2 and desk top 20/4/2. The M3 has a high specification with a choice of input module types, 4 Auxiliaries, Mix-minus on each channel, up to 4 optional Groups and 2 Main outputs. Channel and Group slots are interchangeable enabling more channels to be fitted in desks without Groups. The desk is self-powered with optional hot PSU capacity. The M3 is a high performance high quality console for applications where sound quality, rugged construction and high feature levels cannot be sacrificed due to minimal installation space.

A 48 Channel S2 Analogue Production Console has been ordered for OB operations in Iceland.

Icelandic National Broadcasting Service have ordered the desk to replace an EMT multi-output mix system in their Radio OB - 2 vehicle.

The S2 is a standard console design providing high density mono, stereo and surround broadcast facilities with multitrack recording and replay circuits. It was chosen for it’s compactness, good systems design and flexibility - "flexible for all our needs", comments Olafur Gudmundson, Chief Engineer at INBS - "which will be over 200 projects a year".

NBC Broadcast and Network Operations of New York, NY have purchased a 60 channel Calrec T Series audio console for Saturday Night Live Studio 8H at Rockefeller Centre in Manhattan.

The console has been in continuous use on the show since August 1998 and was rented specifically for the production. The decision to purchase the desk was based on extremely favourable acceptance by operators and technical personnel at NBC. The digitally controlled analogue console was chosen for its ease of use, fast memory re-set system and flexibility. Commenting on the decision to purchase the console, NBC Principal Engineer, Jim Starzynski said "The T series has provided failure free performance and has successfully bridged the gap between analogue and digital technology as we evolve to an all digital platform at 30 Rock."

Visions Digital Outside Broadcasting have ordered a 60 channel S2 to bring the number of Calrec consoles installed in Visions OB Trucks to 5.

The console is for a new 20ft OB truck with expanding sides, Wide Screen 1. Wide Screen 1 will be in use broadcasting Test Cricket for Channel 4 and various other sports and entertainment shows.

Visions head of sound, Paul Fournier said about the purchase "We have four trucks with Calrec desks at present, they have proved very reliable with all the facilities a broadcaster needs. The backup service from Calrec over the years has been terrific. All our clients love the desks so why go anywhere else for a new desk?".