Undergoing a ‘process of harmonisation’ German Public Broadcaster SWR is rethinking is use of technology in its radio studios to simplify production processes and to optimise the use of the control and studio rooms at its Stuttgart facility. Following the renewal of Radio Play Control Room 2 a couple of years ago, Radio Play Studio 5 has received a similar make-over. As system integration partner, SWR called on the services of Broadcast Solutions.
Bringing the technology in control and studio rooms of Radio Play Studio 5 into line involved both software and hardware installations. The standardisation has allowed the new studio to be set up almost identically to Radio Play Control Room 2 – also minimising the planning effort required.
The control room is 5.1-capable and employs an Avid S6 surface with Pro Tools and Sequoia as DAW systems, as well as several source feed and effect devices. Three studios were equipped with mobile terminal boxes that offer numerous connection options even for larger set-ups, while the overall design of the studio furniture supports flexible working methods. Besides the director’s table, which is custom made for the S6 console, there are two additional mobile working tables for editing and production. The mobile tables can be moved and arranged according to the requirements of the any particular production.
Thanks to its renewal and the new technology, the studio can accommodate more productions than before, even with single-person operation. The new Pro Tools system offers several advantages with regards to connecting to other studios and locations and the exchange of files.
Using a uniform studio infrastructure has several positive effects in daily operation. For engineers and technicians, it is much easier to find their way around all studios quickly. This, in turn, shortens training periods and the set up of workflows in daily production operation. Furthermore, more flexible deployment of personnel is possible, and employees can develop internally more easily.
The renewal of the technology in Radio Play Studio 5 is also driven by SWR’s strategic decision to maintain and strengthen the production capabilities in the feature and radio play department, as the broadcaster expects a consistently high level of capacity utilisation in the coming years. SWR’s Stuttgart location now has two studios with the same and up-to-date technical equipment to be well positioned for the future.
