SSL's C100 Digital Console Streamlines Workflow at NBC Universal

Used at the Stamford Media Center to handle audio for the Jerry Springer Show, Maury, Trisha Goddars and the Steve Wilkos Show, the C100 HDS provides big console power in a compact control room.

The Stamford Media Center, a subsidiary of NBCUniversal, has recently installed a C100 HDS digital broadcast console from Solid State Logic in its single audio/video control room, replacing an analog console. Used to handle audio for the Jerry Springer Show, Maury, Trisha Goddars and the Steve Wilkos Show, the C100 HDS provides big console power in a compact control room.

“The Stamford Media Center is a re-design of a legitimate theater where the main studio room, backstage rooms and offices span the entire building, while the core audio and video technology is built into a permanently parked mobile unit,” says John T. Chow, digital media and technology manager for the Stamford Media Center. "We had installation limitations that were met by the C100 without having to compromise on either power or console features. Additionally, support has always been very good with SSL in terms of responsiveness and knowledgeable people helping out. It's a big factor in keeping these consoles going. Getting a great console at a good price is only half of the equation. Having ongoing support after the fact is paramount. SSL and the C100 solve this problem."

The studio has a busy schedule, producing 20 shows a week across the four titles. All four productions feature a host, guests and a live audience of approximately 200 people. The main differences between the shows, from a mixing perspective, have to do with the sources coming from backstage to the guests and the producers, as each show has its own needs in terms of the type of guests, including stars, ordinary people or guests of a particular organization or group. What they see or hear backstage will vary greatly depending on the show.

“The console has performed extremely well,” says Rob Alexander, audio engineer for the Stamford Media Center. "The console is designed in such a way that if you know how to operate an analog console, the transition to digital becomes really easy. This familiar interface is part of the legacy of SSL products. I have the ability to customize the console to turn on and off my backstage sources with ease or I can manage microphone settings without having to open menus. I can also save my settings for immediate recall. This really streamlines the workflow."

For an audio control room integrated into a mobile unit, console size was a consideration for this installation that uses redundant Blackrock Processing Cores, three Alpha-Link LIVE-R units, and a MORSE Stagebox Modular Remote I/O input/output. These additional elements reside neatly in the control room in a rack next to the console, solving the dilemma presented by a mobile unit.

“There are no rehearsals for any of the shows we produce here, so having a console that allows us to make changes while working on a show is a huge advantage,” Alexander concludes. "We go into every production confident that we can easily handle different types of clients. Some are very loud and emotional, while others are calm and quiet and then there are all levels in between. If a setup basically works, I can copy it instantly making all the audio work simple. The C100 gives us the power to do the ones we need very efficiently."