Radio Kol-Chai opts for DHD audio consoles

Bnei Brak-based station (east of Tel Aviv, Israel), Radio Kol-Chai, has chosen audio mixers and processing cores DHD as part of its move to new production studios.

The system has been integrated by Broadcast Design, a Jerusalem-based audio technology specialist. Includes four DHD SX2 consoles (two with 16 faders and two with 22 faders) and 11 TX2 compact multifunction touch panels. Six of the 11 TX2 mixers are allocated for presenter and producer use in each studio, plus two for the editing booths, two for supervisors and one for the TV control room. Processing and networking are done in DHD XC3 cores.

Created in 1996, Radio Kol-Chai produces two channels of audio and video content: Radio Kol-Chai FM y Radio Kol-Chai Music. Radio Kol-Chai FM's output includes news, live discussions, podcasts and music, as well as general information and entertainment. The channels are broadcast six days a week on 93.0 FM for all of central Israel and on 92.8 FM for the Jerusalem district. Live and on-demand programs are also accessible on www.93fm.co.il for a much broader online audience.

Micha Blum, founder and CEO of Broadcast Design, comments, "We have integrated four studios. Studio 4 will be used for video production and is equipped with a 22-fader DHD SX2. Studio 1 is for the general Kol-Chai channel and Studio 2 for Kol Chai Music. Studio 3 is for recording and can also function as a backup presentation studio. Each studio and each voiceover booth can be assigned to any channel. One of the two editing booths can also be used for Top of the Hour news presentation.”

"Radio Kol Chai broadcasts many programs, bulletins and newscasts every hour from other locations, such as its studios in Jerusalem or from a presenter at home. This requires complex talkback and codec management between these locations and the producer, editor and technician at the Bnei Brak headquarters. DHD audio consoles were chosen because they can be used to manage all sources, codec assignment, monitoring, talkbacks, alarms and detection of silences, in addition to its audio mixing and production functions, without the need for third-party equipment,” he adds.

"The DHD system also allows any of the control room mixing consoles to be easily assigned to any studio. The main studio has a dedicated control room. This can be assigned to manage a live broadcast, for example, while the studio is used to record a completely different production. We set up automatic routing that manages two-way talkbacks between presenter, producer and technician independently to more than eight audio codecs. with a clear status indication to avoid any errors."

"The move was the ideal time to integrate a more advanced interconnect architecture, as it increases operational efficiency and simplifies future expansion of the system. Signals from each studio to the main control room are sent via DHD's APC Audio, which allows the connection of multiple audio channels using standard point-to-point network cables. The system will also be used for Radio Kol-Chai's visual productions. We have also provided training to Radio Kol-Chai's operations team and support technicians," says Blum.

Intuitive controls

“DHD audio mixing consoles have worked very effectively for us over the past 10 years,” summarizes Radio project manager Kol-Chai, Assaf Klein. "They are robustly built and have intuitive controls supported by on-screen displays of signal status and level. That combination gives our operators the full confidence they need to work live. Our technical staff appreciate the ease with which each DHD mixer can be configured, plus the ability to provide IP-connected help via DHD's Assist web application if needed for an unusual production routine or for a guest presenter. System settings, such as routing and monitoring, can be monitored at any time. a TFT screen in the main control room. An authorized operator can access the Assist app from anywhere via a web browser. Each studio also has a DHD Assist App license that allows technical support on any console.”

DHD's SX2 console is based on a four-fader central module. The central module gives access to the most important audio inputs and outputs. It includes a microphone input and a headphone output, and allows you to directly connect speakers. SX2 consoles expand beyond four channels by adding one or more modules with six motorized faders each. This allows up to 20 channels to be integrated. The central and fader modules each incorporate a multi-touch screen 10.1-inch screen displaying relevant configuration and operating parameters. SX2's capabilities can be expanded by simply adding optional license codes to the DSP core, allowing additional faders, buses and clean-feeds to be added. It also supports features such as loudness metering and talkback with other DHD mixers.

The TX2 of DHD is a cMulti-touch mixing console with intuitive control interface for everyday use on editorial desks, as co-presentation panels, in editing rooms and in SNG vehicles. Its flat desktop design includes a 10.1-inch multi-touch screen, two assignable potentiometers and six silent multi-color hardware buttons, allowing professional audio mixing in a small space. The most important connectors are available directly on the device for telephone interviews or dubbing. A single network cable connects the TX2 to a central processor or hub. The cable carries all audio and control signals, plus power, up to 100 m from the core. The TX2 is a very useful and simple way to expand any DHD system. It can be used with XC3 or XD3 cores as a stand-alone device or as part of a larger mixing system and does not require a PC to operate.

DHD digital signal processing cores form the heart of any DHD system, connecting control surfaces, performing input/output routing, and interfacing with the outside world. IP audio signals and remote control of IP-connected devices can be tightly integrated.

Also supports automated workflows and virtualization of products. The XC3 IP core, which occupies just 1U of rack space, is designed for use in broadcast studios. It consists of two dual-core DSP modules that are combined into 1U. Together they support up to 48 stereo faders, 72 stereo buses and 16 AES67 IP audio channels. IPx expansion modules can be added to accommodate 128 AES67/Ravenna IP audio input/output channels plus up to 512 Dante channels. An add-on module, the XC3 hub, allows multiple DHD IPx modules, control surfaces, and I/O modules to be easily interconnected.