Kenyan broadcaster NRG goes on air with Lawo solutions

Launched with the slogan Let's change the way we listen to music, NRG Radio is changing the concept of radio formula thanks to the Crystal and Sapphire digital consoles and the R3lay virtual console from Lawo.

NRG Radio based in Nairobi (Kenya) has been aired using solutions Theirs like digital consoles Crystal y Sapphire and the virtual system R3lay.

NRG has carried out a important investment in your new studies and control rooms, positioning itself as a technological revolution in the Kenyan radio scene.

Launched with the slogan Let's change the way we listen to music, NRG Radio the concept of radio formula is changing. His three IP-based studies with visual integration, with equipment from the German Lawo, are capable of transmitting live videos from the studio to any content distribution network (CDN), social networks and other platforms.

As the only broadcast systems integrator in Africa to have implemented a similar system, NRG relied on BYCE Broadcast, based in Nairobi, to launch this project that has included three cutting-edge studios, a production room and a Central Technical Area, as well as the signal transmission system.

They were planned three key phases to ensure smooth and rapid progress of the project. They began by setting up the equipment for Studio One, installing a 12-fader Crystal Lawo mixing console with integrated router, plus advanced radio automation software with HD (720p) video playback capability and 6-channel video mixing software with integrated CG and graphics generation to add station logo, news scans, weather information and custom signage.

The second step was transmission area, which involved the construction of a 24m tower at the client's site to facilitate a point-to-point microwave link to an upland area called Limuru where an 8-bay omnidirectional antenna provides a broadcast diameter of around one hundred kilometres. At this point, the study aired during the second week of December 2017.

The second studio is equipped with a 12-fader Lawo Sapphire console. With the addition of more channel modules, the Zaphyre can transform into a true production mixer, placing a total of 60 faders at your fingertips. Features like Autogain and Automix allow the console to take control of the entire studio.

The third study is a “virtual studio", which is configured around Lawo's R3LAY virtual console. Due to its portability, the R3LAY virtual mixing console offers NRG Radio the best fit for their needs with a cool, futuristic setup, with very few components in the studio.

In less than four months, NRG Radio began operating as an FM visual radio channel with online audio and video transmission, and can also be tuned through 91.3MHz in the Nairobi area and in nrg.radio for online audio/video streaming.

Automix and Autogain

AutoMix Automatically adjusts active and inactive microphone levels, while maintaining a constant ambient level. As a result, mixing and hosting a talk show is very easy. The console takes control of the microphone mix, while the presenter/operator simply conducts the interview. AutoMix reduces ambient noise from open microphones while keeping the overall mix volume at a constant level.

AutoMix also works perfectly as a ducking function for live vocals. Striving for even greater simplification, with the Lawo feature AutoGain, the operator can calibrate all microphone signals easily and without understanding technical dB values ​​and overloads.