BBC Radio 4 Studio
The requirement was to design and build a new state of the art continuity suite for network radio.
The suite comprises of a new studio complete with a customised Calrec X-series digital desk integrated with a Calrec S2 analogue desk within the new cubicle.
Studio
The Studio is used by presenters to link programmes and occasionally read news bulletins. The X-series desk is fitted with a unique feature allowing presenters to take control themselves to speak over either or both of the LW and FM networks, by remote controlling the gain of the S2's group output VCA's.
The X-series is fitted with a custom monitor/talkback panel. Via the Calrec S2 desk's OS Handler, the presenter has full two-way communication with all outside sources and also to the radio production offices and other Radio 4 studios via the digital DHD desks in further studios. The integration of these two desks was carried out by IVC Media via a stand alone monitor panel.
Our work in the studio also included the design and supply of custom woodwork. Exact ergonomic positioning of the X-series and other control surfaces was decided in collaboration with BBC on-air staff following a visit to the woodworker's factory.
Cubicle
The cubicle needed to be physically very spacious to accommodate the massive Calrec S2 along with a fleet of sturdy Studer tape machines and the heavyweight "Rep/Rec Rack". The Rep/Rec Rack is a custom woodwork item which IVC Media had supplied to a previous continuity studio and was decided upon for this new installation. It contains a plethora of replay and record devices, including the ubiquitous VCS interface and local DAB and FM/LW off-air monitoring, as well as remote control of the local ISDN Codecs.
The Calrec S2 is fitted with an "OS Handler" subrack. This manages all communication with outside sources, including Red (i.e. amber) light and buzz back via a veteran BBC OS Signalling Rack. Installation of the S2 was extremely complex as the standard mixing section of the desk itself is not internally linked to the OS Handler or in fact any of the monitor sections by Calrec themselves. Therefore all inputs, outputs and control/power interfaces were broken out to krones, and the multitudinous interconnections made with the close co-operation of the BBC.
The S2 as standard is not set up to have any kind of remote control of replay sources. This particular S2 is fitted with custom basic remotes facilities which are then interfaced to the various replay machine standards via a handy PIC unit.
This studio facility, along with some other studios in Broadcasting House and Bush House, is currently playing a central role in a pilot study into the use of studio connections via an ATM network wholly within the BBC. It will have full communication and audio in/out and signalling via the new ATM system running alongside the existing analogue copper.
