TNDV has standardised on Studer/Soundcraft digital audio consoles across its fleet of broadcast vehicles, claiming that the exercise has encouraged repeat business.
Handling remote broadcast and production projects of all sizes, TNDV owner and president Nic Dugger reports that the upgrade has taken several years and sizeable investment, but the return on that investment has been clear from the outset.
‘Harman digital audio consoles produce outstanding sound quality, which is primarily why we choose them,’ he explains. ‘Today, when a customer books any of our trucks, they are assured the best performing digital audio consoles on the market. Freelance crews can use the same intuitive user interface, operation, and architecture, and once familiar with set-up and software, they can quickly turn their attention to the production.’
Besides having a high degree of confidence in their performance, Dugger likes the consoles’ compatibility and interchangeable parts. This is reflected in TNDV’s flexibility on live show sites, where parts can be swapped between the Soundcraft and Studer models on different trucks in the field. And since TNDV’s truck engineers are familiar with the Harman architecture, they can perform routine maintenance and even trouble-shoot the consoles when necessary.
‘Because Harman appreciates that their media and entertainment customers are doing time-critical projects, they send us replacement parts with no questions asked,’ Dugger says. ‘They stay engaged with our engineers until the matter has been resolved.’
Among the company’s vehicles, the Aspiration flagship HD truck is an expanding side video mobile unit with a 72-input/36-output Soundcraft Vi4 live production console providing 5.1 surround-sound mixing in a private, onboard audio mix booth.
Vibration is a digital audio-only mobile unit equipped with Studer’s Vista 9 console, offering 256 inputs and 7.1-channel surround capabilities. Designed for audio mixing and recording of broadcast television and digital film productions, Vibration is a 53-ft semi-trailer that houses an acoustically isolated audio suite, machine room, and comfortable client lounge with custom furnishings and hardwood floors.
TNDV’s other Nashville-based trucks, Inspiration and Origination, feature Soundcraft Vi1 consoles with up to 32 motorised faders, 96 DSP channels and 5.1 surround-sound mixing. The Origination installation was the most recent upgrade, with the Soundcraft Vi1 vastly improve audio capabilities on the 30-ft mobile production unit.
Dugger estimates his business to be 60 per cent live entertainment and 40 per cent live sports, which he says makes Harman consoles attractive for his bookings since they are ‘primarily entertainment desks.’
