Radio Televisión Nacional de Colombia (RTVC), Colombia’s national radio and television broadcaster, has chosen DHD SX2 audio production consoles for its renovated studios in Barranquilla, the capital of the Atlántico region. Established in October 2004, RTVC operates four free-to-air television stations and two radio networks: Radio Nacional de Colombia, a general infotainment channel, and Radiónica, a youth-oriented station dedicated to Colombian music. Both stations transmit nationwide.
Bogota-based broadcast systems specialist ASPA Andina negotiated and completed the installation.
“This new system is in line with RTVC’s policy of decentralization and makes the broadcaster’s Atlántico region facility accessible with its studios throughout Colombia via a secure digital audio network,” says Juan Pablo León, ASPA Andina’s technical director for commercial. “We have integrated DHD SX2 audio production consoles into three studios, all interconnected via Dante audio-over-IP. These will allow RTVC staff and those of the state-owned Radiónica music radio network to share digital media and production resources from any connected location.”
Colombian radio’s history, present and future
“The main studio is assigned to Radio Nacional de Colombia and equipped with an SX2 mixer including 16 motorized faders. The second studio is a multipurpose resource that will eventually be used for the Radionica network and a shareable production facility. This studio has an SX2 mixer with 10 motorized faders. The third studio, designed for routine recording and production, has a four-fader SX2. We have also implemented DHD’s Assist App, which allows a technician located remotely to provide support if or when requested. Independent level control jacks are also implemented to support hearing-impaired operators.”
León adds, “We also integrated two DHD XC3 cores, which provide the processing power to the desktop consoles. One is assigned to the main studio, while the other supports the consoles in the second and third studios as a shared resource. This project follows our recent partnership with RTVC to equip the network’s peace stations in Fundación, Tumaco, San José del Guaviare, and San Vicente del Caguán. We thank RTVC for their continued trust in us and are privileged to be part of Colombian radio’s history, present and future.”
Based on a four-fader central module, DHD SX2 mixers can be expanded with additional six-fader modules to support up to 16 faders. Central and fader modules incorporate a 10.1-inch multi-touch display, allowing operators to see exactly how their console performs from connectivity and signal level perspectives. All faders are motorized. The central module gives access to the most important audio inputs and outputs. A microphone input and headphone output are included, and loudspeakers can be connected directly to the module. Functions such as loudness metering and talkback to other DHD mixers are also supported.
Easy interconnection
DHD’s XC3 IP core is designed for use in on-air radio and television studios. It comprises two dual-core DSP modules that combine into 1U. These jointly support up to 48 stereo faders, 72 stereo buses and 16 channels of AES67 IP audio. IPx expansion modules can be added to accommodate 128 channels of AES67/Ravenna IP audio in/out, plus up to 512 Dante channels. A companion module, the XC3 Concentrator, allows easy interconnection of multiple DHD IPx modules, control surfaces and I/O modules.
DHD’s Assist app is a browser-based application that allows a secure network-connected technician to provide onsite or remote support for presenters during their daily production activity. DHD SX2 and RX2 touch panels, as well as TX touch panels, can be supervised via a tablet or a PC. The remote user can control faders and central modules, including integrated displays. The Assist app mixer layout can be configured directly using DHD Toolbox software.
“RTVC’s commitment to hearing-impaired inclusivity is a particularly pleasing aspect of this project,” adds Marc Herrmann, DHD audio managing director. “It is a logical follow-on from the support for visually-impaired operators, which our Tel Aviv-based systems integration partner Micha Blum recently achieved with an SX2 consoles installation project for Israel’s Center for Accessible Culture.”
