Lawo systems chosen for Sydney 2MBS-FM
Published: ASIA
AUSTRALIA: One of Australia’s highest profile classical music radio stations, Sydney’s 2MBS-FM, is installing a system based on Lawo Crystal consoles and the Nova 17 router into its new purpose-built facility following ‘many years and much detailed planning’. The equipment was supplied by Lawo distributor Professional Audio Technology (PAT).
The St Leonards-based broadcaster – currently transmitting from leased premises – was the first in Australia to broadcast over stereo FM, though it is now addressing a broad range of formats including multi-streaming FM, content delivery via the internet, and DAB+. Its new facility, which is currently under construction, is set to include two on-air studios, two production/edit booths, a media transfer booth and a studio for live performance.
‘The on-air and performance studios are fully carried on floating floor slabs to maximise isolation from external noise and vibration,’ explained SMBS board member Roger Doyle. ‘They all include contemporary acoustic treatments, with particular emphasis directed to the performance studio which awaits our new full-grand piano. This will be suitable for recording and live broadcasts of a wide range of music, although the emphasis is primarily toward acoustic instruments and the classical repertoire.’
He added: ‘To address our on-air requirements, it was determined that a fully digital system would best suit our mode of operation, now and in the future’.
PAT and Lawo reportedly won the contract following the drafting of a user requirements schedule by the 2MBS technical committee and a round of proposals from competing manufacturers. Among the key requirements was the ability for each studio to operate on a standalone basis, plus simplicity of operation and resilience within the routing system.
An easy installation was also crucial. ‘Dependency on our technical volunteers to not only assist with the installation but maintain it afterwards (many having limited time availability) was a factor in determining our preferred equipment manufacturer and supplier,’ Mr Doyle confirmed. The decision making process included demonstration session with both on-air presenters and technical staff.
The final design comprises split 12-fader Crystal consoles and frames in the two main on-air studios, with two eight fader consoles and crystal frames for the production and dubbing studios plus a four fader crystal console for the transfer booth. A fully redundant Nova17 router ties the studios together via fibre and is responsible for all on-air delegation and switching.
The router also manages a complex talkback system including four TB-12 panels and five T-20 panels – one for each studio. The T-20 panels in the studios have also been configured to facilitate on-air delegation of the studios.
‘The first console is already operating in the largely analogue environment of our temporary facilities,’ explained Mr Doyle. ‘This was initiated so as to provide opportunities for all presenters to familiarise themselves with the new consoles prior to the move.
To ensure rapid final in-situ commissioning, the system was setup at the premises of PAT, providing valuable learning experiences and in particular, the PC touch-screen based Vistool control software and the complexities of networked studio switching and output streaming paths.’