As an accomplished A1 for almost 20 years now, Canada-based Patrick Castonguay loves the challenge of being creative with every live mix he produces. He's worked on high-profile sports events including the Olympics (every year since 2002) and NHL and CFL games in Canada, as well as the JUNO Awards. The first Calrec console he ever used was the T Series, which was an analog/digital hybrid design.
We know you've been working as a freelancer for Dome Productions since 2001 and that your audio career began in a recording studio with your love of live music. In more detail, what does your current role entail?
I go between A1 (Audio Broadcast Mixer), Audio Guarantee and Comms Engineer. I have the fortunate pleasure of using those skills in every type of television production from live sports to news specials to entertainment. I work a lot of NHL and CFL games in Canada, which I really enjoy.
What was it about broadcast audio that attracted you and what keeps you interested and challenged?
The fact that I'm never in the same place, the same office with the same people every day makes it fresh for me. It includes the challenges of putting together a live television show. The evolving technology keeps my brain and curiosity always challenged. I get to be creative and I never get to do the same show twice!
Can you talk us through the project you've most enjoyed working on and/or that really stands out in your career?
I've had the pleasure of working on every Olympics in different capacities since 2002. I remember mixing figure skating for OBS (Olympic Broadcast Services) at the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver and my Technical Manager asking me if I was nervous. I asked why. He told me that there was a potential viewing audience of over one billion people watching that night around the world; that blew my mind that so many people were listening to my work.
Another event that stands out is mixing The NHL 100 Classic in Ottawa in a football stadium where I was in charge of everything audio and comms for the lead truck and responsible for all the audio and comms feeds to four other broadcasters. All this was done battling -35C weather. I feel very fortunate to have been exposed to all kinds of memorable events over the years. There are truly too many to count.
Can you describe a typical broadcast audio setup that you use?
I mostly work NHL and CFL games in Canada, which for the most part are daily gigs so you're in and out. I spend a lot of time setting up before a show and part of my workflow consists typically of knowing ahead of time the location of the venue, any mobiles I'm working with, the audio crew I have available to me and the production requirements that are needed on any particular day/show. Now I can base my prep not only on that show but the audio desk and intercom. So when I arrive on show day, my audio layout, integrated with intercom needs, is ready and notes are prepared for the A2s. It's an attempt to keep the stress of the day low and keep things efficiently moving.
Most of the TV mobile trucks I use have a Calrec console: typically an Alpha or an Apollo, though there have been others. I have four sub-groups and five VCAs set up in the center. I like to keep all my mic sources on the left (FOP EFX, announcer mics, PA and Ref, etc)., and all my line sources on the right (EVS, Music, Spotbox, Duet, etc.)
When did you first start working with Calrec products and what Calrec consoles have you used over the years?
I started working on Calrec consoles in 2002. The first one was the Calrec T series, which was an analog/digital hybrid design. I've worked on pretty much every model since then.
What's a recent example of a project where you used Calrec technology?
The last project I used a Calrec was the JUNO Awards, which is the Canadian version of The Grammy's. I've been the Comms Engineer on that show for the last nine years. I use the Calrec Artemis console to bridge signals between the Hydra boxes on the floor and the MADI card in the RTS frame for all the wireless channels. I also use it to route many other comm sources to either a multitrack recorder or router points.
What are the workflow advantages of the Calrec console(s) that you're using?
I like to double and even triple assign sources to different destinations with different delays and or routing points. The Calrec makes it painless. Last year during the CFL season we started doing live mic games, which consist of having six players and two coaches mic'd and mixed in live during the broadcast. This becomes a challenge especially when the broadcast is in 4K. I have to provide eight discreet masters with different delays and the Artemis delivers that easily. Also, I've never run out of DSPs on a Calrec console - yet. That's my own personal challenge, I admit!
How do you view the current talk of, and move to, AoIP? What's the real-world impact?
I'm curious, excited and cautious all at the same time. The technology is there and coming on fast but I see it as a new tool. Audio-over-IP is a really new technology that's going to help me get the job done; it's another one to add to the toolbox. It's a good technology that I look forward to working with more in the future.
The world of eSports has been on the increasing rise. How much does working in that world interest you and what experience do you have in that space?
I've worked on two different eSports events in the last two years. I mixed one and was a wireless comms tech on the other. It's another exciting format in the new generation of pro sports.
How have second screens (smartphones, laptops) changed how mixes are produced? What about viewer expectation for the perfect viewing experience; how has that impacted how you do your job?
I try to record every show I mix wh
Most recent headlines
05/01/2027
Worlds first 802.15.4ab-UWB chip verified by Calterah and Rohde & Schwarz to be ...
04/08/2026
Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, t...
04/07/2026
April 7 2026, 19:00 (PDT) Detective Conan: Fallen Angel of the Highway Opens in...
01/06/2026
January 6 2026, 05:30 (PST) Dolby Sets the New Standard for Premium Entertainment at CES 2026
Throughout the week, Dolby brings to life the latest innovatio...
19/05/2026
Actus Digital, a LiveU company, and a leading provider of intelligent media monitoring and broadcast compliance platforms, announced today that METEO CONSULT ha...
19/05/2026
Globecast, a leading provider of managed services for the broadcast and media industry, today announced the completion of a major renovation of its Singapore fa...
19/05/2026
Following a major upgrade to its Connecticut remote production centre with the installation of three 60-fader Argo S consoles in 2023, RPS has switched one of t...
19/05/2026
PlayBox Technology today announced the launch of Celebro Play, a browser-based media orchestration platform designed specifically for broadcast facilities and p...
19/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
19/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
19/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
19/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
19/05/2026
LYNX Technik, provider of modular signal processing solutions for broadcast, post, and professional AV will showcase its latest signal processing solutions at B...
19/05/2026
Media Links, a leading developer and manufacturer of IP media transport solutions, has announced the integration of its Xscend platform with Skyline Communicat...
19/05/2026
Collaboration expands regional partner ecosystem as Media Links showcases IP media transport solutions on stand 4M4-4 and alongside Clearcast Asia on stand
Me...
19/05/2026
Company Highlights Labor-Saving Control and Custom Branding Opportunities Designed to Increase Integrator Profitability
LynTec, a leading manufacturer of ele...
19/05/2026
Mago Studio Moves AI Video Beyond Prompts with New Production-Focused Tools
Brie Clayton May 18, 2026
0 Comments
New Capabilities Bring Controllable, ...
19/05/2026
It May be Time to Stop and Take an AI Breather
Brie Clayton May 19, 2026
0 Comments
If the rock you stay on starts to roll, jump clean. Or you'll...
18/05/2026
Despite a bumpy start to the year, the provider of event-production support and ...
18/05/2026
Daktronics has partnered with the University of North Carolina to manufacture and install 11 LED displays totaling more than 10,000 square feet and more than 14...
18/05/2026
CBS LA has announced a multi-year partnership with the Los Angeles Rams, covering exclusive local broadcasts of Rams preseason games, weekly year-round programm...
18/05/2026
Skyline Communications has announced an integration between its DataMiner xOps p...
18/05/2026
eCLUTCH, the hybrid esports platform powered by iKOMG, has announced an expansion of its distribution across Europe, MENA, Africa, and Asia, along with new cont...
18/05/2026
Behind The Mic provides a roundup of recent news regarding on-air talent, includ...
18/05/2026
With 22 games this season, the production team looks forward to tweaking and enhancing the coverage
After 8,660 days off the air, the WNBA returned to NBC yest...
18/05/2026
(L-R) Midori Francis and Natalie Erika James attend the Saccharine premiere during the 2026 Sundance Film Festival at The Ray Theatre on January 22, 2026, in ...
18/05/2026
Last night, the Spotify Podcast Awards in Mexico returned to the country's capital. Now in its second year, the evening honors creators whose voices are hel...
18/05/2026
ZEN-Core synth goes mobile
Roland's powerful ZEN-Core software synthesizer has just been introduced to the iPad, offering a convenient entry point into ...
18/05/2026
Versatile new limiter plug-in announced
Based in Sheffield, UK, fedDSP offer a range of plug-ins that span the music production, live sound and high-end med...
18/05/2026
A new use for convolution?
Viiri Audio's debut plug-in aims to do something a little different with convolution processing, allowing users to adjust all...
18/05/2026
Delta Goodrem shines for SBS as more than 3.27 million Australians tune in for E...
18/05/2026
The Australian Defence Force uses L3Harris T4 and T7 robots for explosive ordnan...
18/05/2026
Continued investment across Europe and Germany is expanding local teams and improving access to stock, regional expertise, and specialist broadcast support.
CV...
18/05/2026
Agentic AI inference at one-tenth the cost per token with NVIDIA Vera Rubin NVL7...
18/05/2026
18 May 2026
Dubai and New York, May 18, 2026 - VEON Ltd. (NASDAQ: VEON), a glob...
18/05/2026
Monday 18 May 2026
Sky News offers ad-free podcasts and bonus episodes for just...
18/05/2026
Comscore March 2026 Consumer AI Chatbot Usage Rankings Show Claude Gaining Share OpenAI's ChatGPT maintains lead while Anthropic's Claude continues to c...
17/05/2026
Delta Goodrem's Eurovision Eclipse marks end of a stellar run
17 May, 2026
Media releases
Bulgaria wins Eurovision 2026
Relive every spellbinding mome...
17/05/2026
Back to All News
Oasis Premieres on Netflix June 19
Entertainment
17 May 2026
GlobalSpain
Link copied to clipboard
Summer, sunshine, the beach, parties. T...
16/05/2026
Helps to deliver a clean, balanced midrange
Developed alongside Newfangled Audio, the latest plug-in in Eventide's software collection has been designed...
16/05/2026
Brings onboard stem rendering to RANE System One
Engine DJ have just released Engine DJ 5.0, a free update for their Engine DJ OS embedded hardware and Engi...
16/05/2026
Boris FX Continuum Pairs AI Precision and Advanced Creative Controls
Jessie Electa Petrov May 16, 2026
0 Comments
The 2026.5 release adds automatic de...
16/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
16/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
16/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
16/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
15/05/2026
Seattle Sounders FC and Seattle Reign FC, in partnership with RAVE Foundation an...
15/05/2026
Dan Brumm has served as sound designer on Bluey, the Australian children's t...
15/05/2026
The Professional Audio Manufacturers Alliance (PAMA) and Shure Incorporated are accepting applications for the 6th annual Mark Brunner Professional Audio Schola...
As an accomplished A1 for almost 20 years now, Canada-based Patrick Castonguay loves the challenge of being creative with every live mix he produces. He's worked on high-profile sports events including the Olympics (every year since 2002) and NHL and CFL games in Canada, as well as the JUNO Awards. The first Calrec console he ever used was the T Series, which was an analog/digital hybrid design.
