Studer helps Daystar TV broadcast round the world
Published: WORSHIP
WORLD: Christian television network Daystar has recently been using Studer consoles to deliver its worship production worldwide, with two Vista 9 consoles and one Vista 5 installed at the network’s Texas headquarters.
Daystar is a family-friendly network featuring religious programming as well as other content, including family-oriented films and music programmes. Since its launch in 1997, it has become known as the fastest-growing Christian TV network with operations spanning across 70 channels globally.
Daystar’s director of audio, David Ribb, uses a Riedel MediorNet system as the hub and router for the three Vista desks, with one of the Vista 9s producing a broadcast mix while the other is used for studio and band mixes. The Vista 5 is primarily used on a secondary studio/sound stage, but can also be taken on the road.
‘The Vista 9 was an ideal solution because of our output requirement – auxes and mixes, the combination of interview talent, IFB, house band and singers, guest bands and satellite feeds.’ said Mr Ribb. ‘The all-Studer solution means that if personnel have to change out between the broadcast side and the studio side, they’re already familiar with the console.’
Wireless requirements in the system total 42 channels, including 28 channels of wireless microphones and belt packs attached to the system, and 14 wireless in-ear belt packs for the band mixes and IFB. In addition, the Vista 9 provides another 10 fold back mixes for each of the sets around the sound stage, through loudspeakers mounted in the lighting grid. The consoles are also connected to Pro Tools systems for multitracking.
‘That’s another thing that we’ve integrated into the Studer system,’ added Mr Ribb. ‘We multi-track each programme in Pro Tools on both the broadcast side and the studio side, depending on what the need is. It means we can go back in and fix anything in post or index, or whatever needs to happen. Also, the music the in-house band has played in the shows is often released as albums during the year, and we do some music specials directly from music captured during a show, using those ProTools sessions to mix them.’