IBC 2017 Has Lots of Audio Products To See and Hear Connectivity and interoperability are a major focus By Dan Daley, Audio Editor Thursday, September 14, 2017 - 2:15 pm
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This year's IBC Show will pick up where the NAB 2017 left off, with network connectivity and interoperability as key themes. Here's a look at what attendees interested in audio will see (and hear) at the show.
Calrec RP1 remote-production engine
Calrec Audio (Stand 8.C61) will use IBC2017 to demonstrate how the RP1 Remote Production engine, at the heart of an integrated approach, can provide simple connectivity, quality-assured transport, and precise control of audio mixes from any location. Calrec and Net Insight will also showcase a live remote-production demonstration. Calrec's stand in Hall 8 and Net Insight's stand (1.B40) in Hall 1 will be linked to give show attendees an opportunity to witness the RP1's remote-control capability integrated with Net Insight's Nimbra. A Nimbra system will transport audio and video from microphones and cameras on the Calrec stand to another Nimbra on the Net Insight stand. A 24-fader Calrec Artemis and a vision mixer will receive the streams to produce a program that will be broadcast back to Calrec's stand.
In addition, Calrec is sponsoring the SVG Europe Remote Audio Production Forum. The hour-long session comprises a thought-leadership presentation, an original case study, and a panel discussion. The forum's aim is to assess the potential of remote production for streamlining audio workflows, reducing costs, and freeing up OB truck and flyaway space. Questions will be fielded by Calrec's Henry Goodman, director of product development, and Pete Walker, product manager, who will be joined by Net Insight's Larissa G rner, among others.
Calrec RP1 remote-production engine
Clear-Com (Stand 10.D29) will present the latest updates to its LQ Series of IP. The enhanced LQ Series adds SIP capability for telephony, connects traditional intercom systems with Agent-IC mobile applications, and increases I/O channel density for HelixNet digital partyline. With LQ Interfaces, the complete communication solution of analog, digital, and IP intercom systems is fully integrated and connected over reliable IP networks for communication from virtually anywhere. LQ interfaces can link any two-wire partyline and/or four-wire digital solutions over IP networks. With the updated LQ devices that now host Clear-Com's Agent-IC, core intercom users on traditional intercom systems can communicate in full duplex with Intercom Mobile App users on smart devices. All setups and configurations can be managed within the browser-based Core Configuration Manager (CCM).
The HelixNet digital networked partyline system also receives a six-fold increase in I/O ports with the updated LQ interfaces. LQ will provide up to 24 audio ports assigned to any of the 12/24 intercom channels in HelixNet. These additional ports supplement the HelixNet ports for interfacing with two-wire and/or four-wire intercom or audio devices, effectively creating a much higher-density digital partyline intercom system. Signals from any remote devices are routed over IP to the assigned HelixNet end points. HelixNet is also now able to directly connect into the Eclipse HX digital matrix intercom network with the LQ device.
European broadcasters will have their first opportunity to experience DPA Microphones' (Stand 8.D70) new d:vice MMA-A digital audio interface preamp. The d:vice MMA digital audio interface works with any iOS device, Mac, or PC. When used with a DPA microphone, it can capture or stream audio in quality previously available only in the studio. The d:vice MMA-A is a high-quality, two-channel microphone preamp and A/D converter offering mono, dual, and stereo capabilities. This flexibility allows a journalist to use the equipment for any unexpected situation that might arise. Furthermore, the small-form-factor two-channel d:vice allows users to set individual gain for two channels in an iOS environment.
Fraunhofer IIS (Stand 8.B80) will showcase a broad range of MPEG-H audio technologies and products already in use in the South Korea terrestrial 4K TV broadcast service, including 3D-audio content-production tools: the plugins Spatial Audio Designer (SAD) and DSpatial Reality extend ProTools to surround and 3D-sound production, including an MPEG-H export function. The Authoring Tool, a standalone application developed by Fraunhofer for authoring and monitoring of MPEG-H audio content, provides monitoring and rendering of channels, objects, and higher-order ambisonics content, including import and export of MPEG-H metadata. The new Linear Acoustic AMSTM Authoring and Monitoring System is a comprehensive solution for real-time authoring, rendering, and monitoring of immersive-audio programs while fully supporting MPEG-H Audio.
Harman Professional Solutions (Stand 8.D60) will be demonstrating next-generation solutions from Studer, JBL Professional,, and AKG aimed at broadcasters. New products include the newly announced Studer CoreLink Card, the first broadcast-audio mixing core that runs on COTS servers; the new Studer D23m AoIP I/O card, which provides the Studer D23m I/O systems with high-bandwidth AoIP connectivity; and Studer DIOS automated I/O routing software.
Lawo (Stand 8.B50) will debut the Ruby radio console with a customizable, context-sensitive visual interface. Ruby's streamlined, low-profile design is designed to match modern radio operations, enabling talent to mix and route audio using the same touchscreen environment used by other studio tools. Alongside familiar physical faders and switches, a customizable display with context-sensitive multi-touch UI allows stations to add controls for other studio applications - such as playout system
