Sony Pixel Power calrec Sony

Tech Focus: Audio Monitoring, Part 1 - Immersive Sound Moves Into Production

09/08/2018

Tech Focus: Audio Monitoring, Part 1 - Immersive Sound Moves Into Production Trailer builders are already making provisions for a format still in development By Dan Daley, Audio Editor

Thursday, August 9, 2018 - 12:30 pm

Print This Story

Story Highlights

With 5.1 surround the default monitoring configuration for broadcast audio, remote-production environments are crowded with speakers, and immersive sound is threatening to make them even more so. But not tomorrow.

Builders of remote-production vehicles are aware of the imminence of immersive-audio formats, most notably Dolby's Atmos in the U.S. But, thus far, only a few trucks have been outfitted to accommodate Atmos's 5.1 4 speaker configuration, which requires an additional four speakers mounted in the ceiling above the A1 position.

The only field units that have been so outfitted and deployed are Game Creek's Nitro and Nitro B, which are being used by Fox Sports for NHRA shows. Game Creek has also outfitted its 79 unit, used by ESPN, although the 5.1 4 speaker array has not yet been used for Atmos. Mobile TV Group's 39 Flex unit is also Atmos-equipped, according to Dolby. In the UK, 10 Atmos-equipped production trucks are being operated by NEP, Telegenic, and others and have been used on English Premier Leagues broadcasts on Sky.

Game Creek's Nitro, used by Fox Sports for NHRA coverage, is one of the first production trucks to deploy the 5.1 4 speaker configuration for Dolby Atmos.

There have been some passing inquiries about [Atmos monitoring] but, aside from the NHRA, no hard requests, says Paul Bonar, VP, engineering solutions, Game Creek. In fact, he adds, looking back at surround's path from novelty to industry standard, he doesn't see the same arc playing out for immersive.

Game Creek SVP, Technology, Jason Taubman agrees: When 5.1 first came around, there was a lot of interest around it, in both discrete and simulated surround. We bought a lot of converters. ESPN was a very early backer of it, and then Fox Sports jumped in, and it moved quickly. I'm not sensing that same level of anticipation with Atmos.

Overhead But Under the Radar

However, immersive audio may be having a bit of a stealth moment. Gerling and Associates President Fred Gerling says he was surprised to learn that a number of the custom-truck/trailer builder's recent new projects, across its remote-production-provider and broadcast-network customers, have included at least provision for future implementation of ceiling speakers in the audio compartments. These take the form of an aluminum support bracket installed inside the ceiling and designed to hold four speakers that can be quickly installed and wired at some point in the future.

These installations are being requested by the end users, which suggests that broadcasters are preparing for an immersive future.

Gerling and Associates' Fred Gerling says provision for immersive sound is being production-truck end users.

The speakers themselves are not installed, but the unit is ready for them whenever the end user wants them, Gerling explains, adding, If this audio requirement becomes prevalent in the industry, we will eventually begin to integrate these bracket systems as the norm.

(This development underscores a small but important new area in systems integration for trucks and trailers. Audio compartments are generally located at the rear of trailers and subject to occasionally rough rides, despite the trailers' pneumatic air-ride suspension systems. The mounting bracket was chosen because of its light weight and ability to keep speakers firmly attached in a new - and often jostled - location in audio compartments. These are full-range speakers, larger than the more common flat surface-mount speakers used for communications audio, which are easier to secure in trailer ceilings.)

The anticipatory provisions also underscore the fact that awareness around immersive audio is beginning to migrate to a more nuts-and-bolts level, and that could begin to affect product choices. That's illustrated by the use of Klipsch speakers for the Game Creek truck's ceiling speaker arrays, rather than the Neumann KH series speakers used in the rest of the monitoring array and, Taubman says, typically the default choice for the overhead application: The Neumanns were too deep to fit into the ceiling.

The Atmos additions aboard the Nitro trucks suggest an evolution already in progress. For instance, at Fox Sports' request, the rear left and right surround speakers were lowered from their usual standing-ear level to a sitting level, putting the entire 5.1 speaker array at the seated A1's ear level and opening more propagation space for the ceiling array. That design has drawn positive reviews from A1s in the midst of the Atmos learning curve, says Bonar, by creating more distinct space around each speaker's output.

[Immersive audio has] been used in film and television [postproduction], he says. Broadcast is learning how to use it in live situations, when you don't have the opportunity to go back and fix it in post. So how you monitor it is critical.

Rob French, senior product marketing manager, Dolby, says 5.1 4-monitoring configurations have been arrived at largely by adapting Dolby's guidelines for in-studio monitoring, which include placing the surround speakers at ear level.

There are ideal positions, but, in mobile units, you have to compromise, he explains. You have to compete for space [in ceilings] with HVAC, for instance. Each truck is a bit different, so it has to be flexible.

Immersive audio is also creating other challenges in the tight confines of remote-production environments. While mixing the show, A1s also have to listen for cues from the director and producer, each of whom has a hot mic, assignable to produ
LINK: https://www.sportsvideo.org/2018/08/09/tech-focus-audio-monitoring-par...
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 ...

04/08/2026

Dalet Announces Commercial Availability of Dalia, Bringing Media-Aware Agentic AI to Enterprise Productions

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

04/07/2026

Detective Conan: Fallen Angel of the Highway Opens in Dolby Cinemas Across Japan, Presented in Dolby Atmos and Dolby ...

April 7 2026, 19:00 (PDT) Detective Conan: Fallen Angel of the Highway Opens in...

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 ...

22/04/2026

Live From NAB 2026: Solid State Logics Berny Carpenter on Expanding System T With Virtual DSP, Cloud Workflows

Solid State Logic is advancing its System T platform with a stronger focus on IP...

22/04/2026

Live From NAB 2026: Dolbys Giles Baker on the Growth of Dolby OptiView, Immersive Vision and Audio for Live Sports

From immersive audio to live streaming, Dolby Laboratories is focused on the fut...

22/04/2026

Live From NAB 2026: Blackmagic Design's Bob Caniglia on Implementing Cinematic Looks in Live Broadcasts

Shallow depth-of-field cameras have taken the industry by storm. Its debut a han...

22/04/2026

NAB 2026: Eastern Kentucky University deploys campus-wide ST 2110 network with Riedel and Bridge Digital

Riedel Communications (Booth C4908) announced that Eastern Kentucky University (...

22/04/2026

SportsTechBuzz at NAB 2026, Day 4: Live Reports From the Show Floor in Vegas

The NAB Show is in full swing, and the SVG and SVG Europe editorial teams are chasing down the hottest stories from all over the Las Vegas Convention Center. He...

22/04/2026

NAB 2026: Blackmagic Design Announces URSA Cine 12K LF 100G

Blackmagic Design has announced the URSA Cine 12K LF 100G, a new model in the URSA Cine family adding 100G Ethernet for SMPTE 2110 live production output up to ...

22/04/2026

Live From NAB 2026: NEPs Martin Stewart Talks 40 Years, the NEP Platform, and Scaling for FIFA World Cup

Celebrating its 40th anniversary, NEP is leaning into hybrid production with the...

22/04/2026

Live From NAB 2026: NEPs Dan Murphy on NEP Platform, TFC, and the Shift to Software-Defined Workflows

NEP VP, Platform Dan Murphy sits down at the 2026 NAB Show to unpack what NEP P...

22/04/2026

Spotify and WNBA's New York Liberty Bring Basketball and Music Together With New Partnership

Spotify and the New York Liberty are teaming up to give music and basketball fan...

22/04/2026

The story of the Focusrite ISA preamp

New 20-minute documentary explores iconic design The Focusrite Room in Mesa, Arizona, where John Aquilino hosts the Studio Console 005. In 2025, Focusrite co...

22/04/2026

EverSync SP-10 wireless from Cloudvocal

Offers compact wireless solution for pedalboards Taiwanese audio brand Cloudvocal have announced the availability of a new pedalboard-friendly wireless syst...

22/04/2026

Arturia release Augmented Persia

Latest hybrid sampling/synthesis instrument arrives Arturia's Augmented series offerings rely on a mixture of sampling and synthesis, allowing users to ...

22/04/2026

Acustica Audio launch Salt 2

Combines three distinct analogue EQ emulations The latest addition to Acustica Audio's ever-expanding collection of analogue-emulation plug-ins combines...

22/04/2026

Analog Empire: Bass & Lead from Melda Production

Final instalment in vintage-inspired instrument series Analog Empire: Bass & Lead marks the final instalment in Melda Production's vintage hardware-insp...

22/04/2026

Strymon reveal the Canoga

Fuzz pedal joins all-analogue Series A line Given that Strymons reputation was built on unapologetically digital pedals, it was a little surprising to see t...

22/04/2026

SBS names shortlisted brands for 2026 SBS Media Sustainability Challenge

SBS names shortlisted brands for 2026 SBS Media Sustainability Challenge 22 April, 2026 Media releases National broadcaster also releases its second annual...

22/04/2026

The Frequency That Decides the Fight

Why Low Band Electronic Warfare Matters...

22/04/2026

Polish national football team play-off games top monthly programme list

The nation unites around football team's World Cup dream Warsaw, Poland, 20.04.26: Nielsen, a global leader in audience measurement, data, and media intell...

22/04/2026

Nielsen and the Polish Organisation of Advertisers announce strategic partnership to elevate marketing standards in Poland

Warsaw, Poland, 22.04.26: Nielsen, a global leader in audience measurement, data...

22/04/2026

Nielsen helps New Zealand brands expand internationally with greater clarity and confidence

New market intelligence offering gives businesses a clearer view of local consum...

22/04/2026

Glookast Unveils New UX, YouTube and Social Media Connectors, Premiere Panel, Cinnafilm Tachyon Plugin and More at NAB

Glookast Unveils New UX, YouTube and Social Media Connectors, Premiere Panel, Ci...

22/04/2026

Lightcraft Technology to Preview Spark Story at NAB 2026 with Interactive Previs Experience

Lightcraft Technology to Preview Spark Story at NAB 2026 with Interactive Previs...

22/04/2026

Bolin Demos New PTZ Cameras and Controller at 2026 NAB Show

Share Copy link Facebook X Linkedin Bluesky Email...

22/04/2026

Anchor Audio Launches Beacon 3

Share Copy link Facebook X Linkedin Bluesky Email...

22/04/2026

FCC Grants WSWB TV License Transfer to Sinclair

Share Copy link Facebook X Linkedin Bluesky Email...

22/04/2026

Telemundo Puerto Rico Streaming Channel Launches On Prime Video

Share Copy link Facebook X Linkedin Bluesky Email...

22/04/2026

Chyron Announces PRIME Translate

Share Copy link Facebook X Linkedin Bluesky Email...

22/04/2026

TV Tech Announces Winners of Best of Show Awards at 2026 NAB Show

Share Copy link Facebook X Linkedin Bluesky Email...

22/04/2026

VEON's Banglalink to Bring Starlink Mobile to Customers in Bangladesh

22 Apr 2026 VEON's Banglalink to Bring Starlink Mobile to Customers in Bangladesh Bangladesh becomes the third market where VEON and Starlink Mobile partne...

22/04/2026

FIRST LOOK FOR NEW U DRAMA SERIES HIT POINT

U have unveiled exclusive first-look images for their six-part police thriller Hit Point, starring Nick Blood (Day of the Jackal) and BAFTA nominee Saffron Hock...

22/04/2026

UKTV Highlights: Saturday May 9th -15th 2026

What can I watch on UKTV and stream on U this week? This week on UKTV and the free streaming service U, viewers can watch a range of new and returning programm...

22/04/2026

Sky announces fifth year of WNT Fund with 30,000 bursary supporting players and grassroots football

Wednesday 22 April 2026 Sky announces fifth year of WNT Fund with 30,000 bursa...

22/04/2026

This Earth Day, Discover the Sustainable Productions Behind Our Films and Series

Back to All News This Earth Day, Discover the Sustainable Productions Behind Our Films and Series Emma Stewart, Ph.D. Netflix Sustainability Officer Enterta...

22/04/2026

Retail Media Standards Are Expanding Into Commerce Media - Here's Why That Matters for Measurement

The move from Retail Media to Commerce Media is about broadening the scope of th...

22/04/2026

Dolby and BMW Bring Dolby Atmos to the BMW 7 Series, Expanding Immersive Audio Across Future Models

April 22 2026, 07:00 (PDT) Dolby and BMW Bring Dolby Atmos to the BMW 7 Series,...

22/04/2026

RT Licenses Stolen Sister to Pushkin

RT Documentary On One 7-part series breaks US market for first time RT Programme Sales has announced its first deal with a US distribution partner for its 7-...

22/04/2026

NVIDIA and Google Cloud Collaborate to Advance Agentic and Physical AI

NVIDIA and Google Cloud have collaborated for more than a decade, co engineering a full stack AI platform that spans every technology layer - from performance o...

21/04/2026

Live From NAB 2026: BitFires Colin Bonzey on Growing Spark Platform for Live Cloud-Based Productions

Cloud-based production isnt going anywhere, and BitFire is doubling down by prov...

21/04/2026

Live From NAB 2026: AWSs Jason Dvorkin, Regina Rossi on Driving Innovation With Al-Based Workflows

The topic of artificial intelligence has a stranglehold on the sports-video-prod...

21/04/2026

Live From NAB 2026: T-Mobile for Business' Jason Schnellbacher on Enhancing 5G for Sports Fans, Broadcasters

5G is still a hot topic in live event production, and this workflow continues to...

21/04/2026

Live From NAB 2026: Appears Ed McGivern on Fox Sports Deal, New XM Platform, and VX Software Debut

At the 2026 NAB Show, Ed McGivern, GM and President of Appear US, discusses the ...

21/04/2026

NAB 2026: Studio Network Solutions launches on-premise AI suite for media production workflows

Studio Network Solutions (SNS) has announced an on-premise AI suite designed for...

21/04/2026

NAB 2026: Suite Studios integrates file-streaming technology into Frame.io Drive

Suite Studios has integrated its file-streaming technology into the newly announced Frame.io Drive, a desktop application from Adobe company Frame.io. The colla...

21/04/2026

NAB 2026: Net Insight integrates InSync FrameFormer into Nimbra Edge for media processing

Net Insight has integrated InSync Technology's FrameFormer into the Nimbra E...