Flexible programming for Radio Botswana with IP native Ty...

Aiming to create more flexibility, encourage growth, and future-proof its infrastructure, Radio Botswana has upgraded its 60-year-old analogue system to IP with the installation of Calrec's Type R.

Working with UK Systems Integrator Dega Broadcast Systems, Radio Botswana took advantage of Type R's modular and customisable feature set to adapt each studio to meet a specific set of needs, delivering smoother workflows for a range of users. Radio Botswana Project Manager, Rex Mogotsi says the installation not only simplifies its operations, but also supports future expansion.

The shift from analogue to IP was driven by a desire for greater flexibility in our operations, says Mogotsi. IP simplifies connectivity, reduces the physical footprint of the equipment, and enables remote capabilities all of which streamlines our workflows.

Type R helps us do this in multiple ways. Its IP-based framework delivers significant cost savings by reducing the need for extensive cabling and equipment maintenance; its modular design allows us to scale our operations based on demand, avoiding unnecessary costs; and its streamlined workflow reduces production time and enhances collaboration, allowing our teams to be more efficient and flexible. All this supports better quality content and quicker turnaround times.

With Studios 1 6 dedicated to live radio broadcasts, the station used Type R's modular hardware to equip each one with control surfaces up to 16 faders. Meanwhile, as its editing and post-production studios require fewer physical facilities, each one has smaller control surfaces of six or eight faders.

The remaining studios handle news and special programming, and we installed 8 12 fader control surfaces in these to cater for a variety of program types, says Mogotsi. Type R's modular system allows each studio to be optimised for specific production demands, while its flexible equipment configuration enables seamless transitions between studios.

With each Type R DSP core able to power up to three independent mix environments, Radio Botswana uses three cores between six studios, utilising a total of just 11 cores to power all 14 studios across the complex. The workflow allows seamless routing and resource sharing, says Mogotsi. If Studio 1 is handling live broadcast, Studio 2 can simultaneously manage backup recording, with easy switching capability. This interconnected setup enables cross-studio collaboration and provides resilience against potential equipment failures, ensuring a smooth and reliable production flow across all studios.

The installation also gives the station the flexibility to develop in the future; and it's not resting on its laurels.

Type R gives Radio Botswana the capacity to develop its infrastructure in line with its needs, says Graham Murray, International Sales Manager at Calrec. The station already has plans to launch a new channel, and it's also looking at how distributed production can deliver even more flexibility. Type R's IP infrastructure not only helps to develop more diverse programming, but it also enables its customers to reach wider audiences, both at home and abroad.

Botswana's digital audio landscape is still developing, but Radio Botswana is blazing a trail for innovation and growth.

We chose Calrec due to its reputation for high-quality sound and robust, scalable solutions, and the Type R system was particularly appealing due to its flexibility, ease of use, and future-proof technology, concludes Mogotsi. All of this aligns with our goals for both quality and adaptability in Botswana's evolving digital landscape.

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