Whether a local, national or international news agency, broadcasters have the same requirements from their audio consoles.

News studios are fast-paced environments which need to be adaptable, quick to set up, easy to operate, and able to shift focus as rapidly as the news does.

Having easy to use, flexible control surfaces with accessible network infrastructures are vital to keep pace, while station automation systems and headless consoles introduce more efficient, reliable and cost effective working practices.

Calrec consoles are ideally suited to this environment. Calrec consoles are powerful, with a large number of inputs and outputs and great networking capabilities. They are easy to drive, flexible and are packed full of assistive features which allow the operator to concentrate on what’s coming up next.

Ten reasons why Calrec call the shots in news

  1. Easy to use control surface
    Calrec has been making assignable control surfaces for more than 35 years – in fact, Calrec supplied the world’s first digitally controlled assignable mixing console way back in 1981. Several refinements on, Calrec consoles have a very short learning curve; they are easy to drive with lots of visual feedback, and Brio even gives you hints on how to set up your workflow.
  2. Reliability
    There are no second takes with live broadcasting. Reliability is key, and Calrec has made it a priority in all its consoles. With many redundant features built-in from scratch, and thousands of consoles on-air across the globe, 24 hours a day, Calrec’s reputation for reliability is second to none.
  3. Dedicated broadcast feature set on the smallest of consoles
    Calrec’s tiny Brio console is a mixing console completely focused on the needs of broadcasters. This level of scalable and managed I/O, comprehensive monitoring, surround sound and high bus quantities provides a level of dedicated broadcast functionality that has never been available at this level. It’s Calrec’s biggest tiny console ever.
  4. No DSP sharing
    The difference between shared and non-shared DSP makes a huge impact on desk resources. It is better to have resources you don’t need rather than having to count your inputs and outputs and worry about how much DSP you have left. Unlike other broadcast consoles, Calrec desks have separate channel and bus DSP resources at all times. Welcome to stress-free broadcasting.
  5. Mix Minus with integrated talkback and conferencing
    Mix Minus is a system that allows a comprehensive mix to be sent to multiple listeners each receiving the complete mix, minus their own input. With quick set up, mix-minus is an incredibly efficient way to route signals around your studio, freeing up output busses and simplifying routing.
  6. Audio Quality
    While some broadcast consoles focus on functionality at the expense of sonic quality, Calrec has always prioritised both. Calrec’s highly successful Bluefin technology means that sound quality on its smallest consoles is just as stunning as its bigger siblings. Mic-pre’s are clear, transparent and have a fantastic transient response, and while our engineers obsess over the quality of the EQs, compressors and huge dynamic range, they are very focussed on ensuring the clearest surface layout possible. In short, with Calrec you get form, function and finesse.
  7. Automix
    Automixers control audio levels for shows where there are multiple guests or presenters talking together. In a noisy news studio environment, where a range of guests with contrasting opinions can provide a challenge, automixers can help the operator maintain a consistent overall mix. Calrec’s automixer adjusts the individual microphone levels automatically and dynamically in order to pick out the people speaking, and to reduce the level of people that are not speaking, leaving the operator able to concentrate on other parts of the overall mix.
  8. Extensive muting logic for pre-hears
    In a busy production environment with multiple outside broadcast feeds, Calrec’s muting logic seamlessly and simply cuts out program audio to transmission, to prevent unwanted conversations going to air. Other muting logic is easy to apply to a variety of production workflows.
  9. Station Automation
    As with all Calrec consoles, Calrec’s virtual solutions can integrate with news automation systems for virtual news mixing and operate via CSCP. Calrec consoles allow controllers such as GV Ignite and Ross Overdrive. If a broadcaster only requires a small number of faders, more affordable 3rd party fader packs can be used to open and close faders to save money.
  10. Native IP
    Gone are the days when an audio console was required to simply mix audio. Consoles are integral components on wider networks with adaptable workflows and shareable resources using open standards and established networking technology. Calrec has a range of COTS-compatible products designed around an IP backbone, as well as a number of SMPTE 2110/AES67-compatible products to help customers transition to an IP environment which include extra control levels to allow audio labels and control data to be passed. This gives users the ability to control gain of mic inputs under a variety of network conditions. Wherever you are on your IP journey, Calrec can help you get there.

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