Audio Console Makers Save Space, Boost Flexibility With Virtual Mixing Systems

07/11/2019

Audio console makers save space and boost flexibility with virtual mixing systems By David Davies

Wednesday, October 23, 2019 - 16:40

Print This Story

IBC 2019 confirmed that an increasing number of manufacturers are taking steps to help broadcasters who wish to avoid using a physical audio control surface for certain productions. Calrec and Lawo were among the companies exhibiting systems offering one form or another of virtualisation - a trend that is largely attributed to the need to save space and/or enable more versatile workflows.

Henry Goodman, head of sales & marketing at Calrec, confirms that virtualisation has been gathering speed for several years now. There are plenty of people who want to remove the physical control surface, he says, and it's for several main reasons: flexibility, space and, of course, cost.

A workflow that automates the main audio functions and - in the less complex applications such as sports news or local reporting contributions - may even remove the requirement for dedicated audio personnel altogether also holds the potential for reductions in cost in terms of personnel, adds Goodman.

Henry Goodman, head of sales & marketing at Calrec

Individual design approaches vary considerably, but in general this new generation of systems involves the channeling of audio processing and primary functionality into modular and/or rack-based systems. Control is achieved via software (frequently the same as that installed on full systems with control surfaces) on standard IT hardware and/or mobile devices, or through the means of third-party controllers.

The fact that this trend also marks a decline in demand from some quarters for physical control surfaces surely makes it something of a double-edged sword for manufacturers. But Goodman is inclined to take a positive view and look at this in the context of the overwhelming tendency of broadcasters to be wanting to produce more content. It's not about reducing content - it's about making even more of it.

Remote production and automation

Calrec's own latest development in this direction is the VP2 virtualised mixing system. If you look at our recent history you could say that the VP2 has come about as a result of the RP1 development, which is our remote production unit and is basically a mixer in a box, explains Goodman.

Exhibited for the first time at IBC in September, the VP2 has no physical control surface and utilises Calrec's Assist software for setup and control, which can be accessed from multiple locations by a web browser. The system's 4U core is available in three DSP sizes - with 128, 180 and 240 input channels - and incorporates Calrec's Hydra2 networking technology. In addition to the web-based control capability, the Calrec Serial Control Protocol (CSCP) makes it possible for the audio console to be completely controlled by an automation system.

This multi-control functionality means that, for instance, a technical director/operator can be assigned basic control functions - possibly in a day-to-day production context - whereas a more specialised engineer would be required to fine-tune the set-up or recall different setups.

Response to the VP2 so far has been very positive , says Goodman, who believes it resonates strongly with broadcasters who are both wanting to do more remote production and also automate some of the more straightforward tasks. I think it's something that is going to become even more popular over the next few years.

As time has gone by people have grasped the potential of the technology to do larger events: for example, up to about 20 cameras - Henry Goodman, Calrec

Local news and sports contributions that might typically involve a minimal complement of technical staff are among the applications cited as being ideal for the system. But Goodman expects that, as with the RP1, the VP2 could ultimately be deployed for more ambitious projects: When we started thinking about making a product for remote production, [our attention focused on] events with perhaps four cameras and eight microphones. We saw there was a way by which money could be saved in providing [coverage of] events to more niche audiences.

But as time has gone by people have grasped the potential of the technology to do larger events - for example, up to about 20 cameras. So we have observed people using the technology in ways that we hadn't envisaged initially; I could see the same happening [with VP2].

Simplifying the use of studios'

Lawo has also been active in this area with developments including the mc Micro Core standalone audio processing core, which is in a way, just a mixing engine without operating surface, says senior product manager Christian Struck. However, like all Lawo systems with practically all their parameters, it can be fully remote-controlled via interfaces like Ember+. Thus, the Lawo systems make it possible, in particular, to automate programmes of lesser complexity, such as news broadcasts.

Christian Struck, Lawo, senior product manager

The trend towards simplifying the use of studios and [having] control rooms operated by fewer staff has been in progress for several years, says Struck. In an effort to reach high-efficiency production workflows, it has become common to run automation routines for the audio domain without operators sitting in front of a full-blown console mixing all aspects of sound manually. In a more and more automated and virtually-designed workflow, operators are often using a small fader panel when there is a need to intervene.

But Struck firmly rejects the idea that we are on a trajectory that could eventually see physical consoles being rendered redundant in OB trucks. OB vans are clearly designed as mobile PCRs and ACRs, and are mainly used for ambitious projects - and therefore represent th

LINK:	https://www.svgeurope.org/blog/headlines/audio-console-makers-save-spa...
	See more stories from svg

Most recent headlines

05/01/2027

Worlds first 802.15.4ab-UWB chip verified by Calterah and Rohde & Schwarz to be demoed at CES 2026

Worlds first 802.15.4ab-UWB chip verified by Calterah and Rohde & Schwarz to be ...

01/06/2026

Dolby Sets the New Standard for Premium Entertainment at CES 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...

02/05/2026

Dalet Flex LTS Delivers Smarter Search, Faster Editing, and an AI-Ready Foundation for Modern Media

Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, t...

01/05/2026

NBCUniversal's Peacock to Be First Streamer to Integrate Dolby's Full Suite of Premium Picture and Sound Innovations

January 5 2026, 18:30 (PST) NBCUniversal's Peacock to Be First Streamer to ...

01/04/2026

DOLBY AND DOUYIN EMPOWER THE NEXT GENERATON OF CREATORS WITH DOLBY VISION

January 4 2026, 18:00 (PST) DOLBY AND DOUYIN EMPOWER THE NEXT GENERATON OF CREATORS WITH DOLBY VISION Douyin Users Can Now Create And Share Videos With Stun...

18/03/2026

Net Insight Names Larissa GrnerMeeus CPO

Newly named chief product officer (CPO), Larissa G rner Meeus will return to Net Insight on May 4. Larissa G rner Meeus will become CPO of Net Insight on May 4...

18/03/2026

SVG Europe's The Football Summit 2026: Select Sessions Now Available to Watch on SVG PLAY

SVG Europe's The Football Summit 2026 explored how the sports broadcasting i...

18/03/2026

SVG's SportsTech@NABShow Blog Goes Live as Countdown to Vegas Heats Up

The 2026 NAB Show kicks off one month from today and SVG is once again set to cover the show from every angle. SVG's SportsTech@NAB Show Blog is now live - ...

18/03/2026

The Premiere of Dead Lover Showcases Grave Robbing and Sex With a Giant Finger

(L-R) The cast and crew of Dead Lover at The Ray Theater for its premiere at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival. (Photo by Robin Marshall/Shutterstock for Sundan...

18/03/2026

Music Row Piano from Wiltone Productions

Yamaha C7 captured in Nashville Wiltone Productions have announced the release of Music Row Piano, a deeply sampled Yamaha C7 piano library that's been ...

18/03/2026

Techivation introduce T-Warmer Mk2

Bass-enhancement plug-in upgraded Along with a steady stream of new releases, Techivation have recently been revisiting some of the older plug-ins in their ...

18/03/2026

Tonal Balance Control 3 from iZotope

Mix-reference plug-in overhauled iZotope's powerful mix-referencing plug-in has just reached its third major version, and now boasts a new capture proce...

18/03/2026

Toontrack Transistor Organ EKX

Latest EZKeys 2 expansion arrives Toontrack's staggering collection of EZKeys 2 expansions has grown once again, and the latest instalment delivers a on...

18/03/2026

Jess Ho explores the politics of food in new SBS Audio podcast For The Culture

Jess Ho explores the politics of food in new SBS Audio podcast For The Culture 18 March, 2026 Media releases New SBS Audio podcast For The Culture, hosted ...

18/03/2026

Future-ready broadcasts with ATSC 3.0 and enhanced services from Rohde & Schwarz at NAB 2026

Future-ready broadcasts with ATSC 3.0 and enhanced services from Rohde & Schwarz...

18/03/2026

LCTWS 2026

London Calling - When The Industry Convened to Help Streaming Find its MoJo In this blog, Laura Rognoni reflects on key discussions from the Connected TV World...

18/03/2026

SMPTE Unveils 2026 NAB Show Educational Presentations

SMPTE Unveils 2026 NAB Show Educational Presentations Brie Clayton March 18, 2026 0 Comments SMPTE , the home of media professionals, technologists, a...

18/03/2026

Auditel Ad Campaign Shot on Blackmagic PYXIS 12K

Auditel Ad Campaign Shot on Blackmagic PYXIS 12K Brie Clayton March 18, 2026 0 Comments LED wall virtual production blends 12K open gate acquisition w...

18/03/2026