Copyright ©1996, RF Specialties Group.
The Big Bang theory of station control has it that consoles will be blown out of the control room by computers.
Although this might sound good in theory, it probably won't happen in practice - if broadcasters have anything to say about it. They argue that the computer could never replace the tactile usefulness of the console. Instead, the more likely theory is that the console, like all broadcast gear, will simply evolve to complement the new functions of computerized automation and hard disk storage systems.
It already has, based on the RF Specialties line of consoles. Boards such as Logitek's Mariner series and the Audioarts series have control functions built-in that can be slaved to digital automation systems. Others offer adaptor or relay closure modules for on/off switching of console modules from the computer. And just about every console manufacturer acknowledges, if not addresses, the need to scale back on the number of input channels if the console is to get along with today's automation and hard disk storage systems.
"Eventually, stations will do a lot of their work either with touchscreens or keyboards for selection of music," predicted Tag Borland of Logitek. "But setting gains, turning things on and off and running shows live will be done on a smaller console, six to eight channels maybe." Logitek's 6-channel mixer is a natural companion to automation and hard disk storage systems like Dalet because it has two inputs for mikes, one for a satellite switcher, two for audio feeds from the automation system and one for multiple external sources.
But although consoles are getting smaller as a result of their new role in the control room, they are by no means becoming less intelligent. Indeed, some are getting smarter because of computer control. Logitek recently modified its Mariner 6-input console with an RS-232 serial port for this purpose. The serial port interfaces to the console's existing microprocessor, which controls the DCA faders. All Mariner consoles with this microprocessor are expected to be updated with the port soon in order to facilitate remote control of console faders from automation systems.
Wheatstone's Audioarts series also can be slaved to automation computers and can be controlled much like a CD machine or any other external device. Moreover, these consoles have found a new function in the control room as a result of computer automation. Many of today's computer automated stations are using them for live-assist part of the day and production the rest of the day, "so the console ends up doing a lot more functions than it ordinarily would in an on-air application," commented Wheatstone's Ray Esparolini.
"There are parts of computerization that people really like, and that sort of thing is now almost expected of a console," summed up Borland, who believes the all-digital broadcast console will be available in the next 10 years. Just recently, all-digital recording and video editing consoles have entered the market and there is promise that digital will break the live application barrier in the next decade. "The live application is 100 times more demanding than (recording or editing) because it's definitely real-time, so that a digital console has to be a very high-powered device and they just haven't been able to do that at a reasonable cost yet," said Esparolini. In the meantime, to safeguard your console investment today and to find out more about consoles for automation or disk storage applications, call RF Specialties.
Everything in technology is getting smaller, even consoles. While boards appear to be shrinking in channel size, console prices are also dropping lower than anytime in recent history -- some by as much as 25%!
The reason? A wider selection of small-channel boards and the growing popularity of computerized automation. "Especially with hard drive systems, there is a consolidation of source equipment such as CD players and cart machines, therefore there's not as much need for a large console," commented Gerardo Vargas of AEQ, which makes the BC-500 mixer.
Other manufacturers concur. At the recent World Media Expo show in Los Angeles, Fidelipac introduced new features for its MXE console, which uses a smaller module footprint than standard. Not long before, Autogram introduced its compact Minimix console because it too saw the broadcaster's need for a smaller board. "The Minimix was designed to fill that void where they need a console, but not a large console," stated Ernie Ankele of Autogram. Wheatstone's Audioarts series was also developed for this purpose, as well as to bring production features to the small-board market. And lately, LPB boards, which are standard fare for remote broadcast applications, are beiing recognized as a compact solution for control rooms with computerized applications.
Now is a great time to buy a console because the features are there and everybody's prices are depressed," commented Tag Borland of Logitek, whose small-channel Mariner recently decreased in price by 25% along with other consoles on the market. Call RF Specialties today for prices on AEQ, Audioarts, Autogram, Fidelipac, Logitek and LPB consoles.