Archive notice: This article was originally published on February 27, 2009. Links and embedded videos are preserved as part of the historical record.
With Mediengruppe RTL Deutschland moving into Cologne’s historic trade-fair halls, CBC chose a Riedel intercom matrix for the production environment. In total, Riedel Communications supplied CBC with five Artist mainframes and more than 100 control panels.
Riedel Artist for Comprehensive Communications Solutions
An Artist 128 mainframe is used in each of the two control rooms for the main studios. These are supplemented by additional Artist 128 systems in the master control room and in two studio sets, as well as an Artist 64 in broadcast operations. More than 100 control panels from the Artist 1000 and Artist 2100 series serve as user panels.
Because of its redundant ring configuration, Riedel’s Artist intercom matrix is particularly suitable for broadcast applications. This ensures functionality even in the event of a fault. The fully summing communications architecture also permits the parallel, non-blocking operation of up to 1,024 x 1,024 ports.
The Artist 1000 and Artist 2100 series control panels are suited to complex intercom applications. The Artist 1000 panels also each have two analog inputs and outputs, for example to integrate external sources. Three GPI inputs per control panel also enable relay switching, for example to control tally lights. MADI cards integrate the Lawo audio router into the system.
“We chose Riedel because of the system’s flexibility and the redundancy required for live studio operations,” explains CBC managing director Thomas Harscheidt.
Flexible Routing Thanks to Director Software
Alongside the “Director” configuration software, which enables convenient drag-and-drop setup of individual ports, the “Partial Files” Director plug-in is also used. The add-on selectively adds specific configuration elements to existing setups, for example to supplement or change program-specific configurations during ongoing operation. It thereby enables the intercom system to be used in a wider range of applications.
In addition to the Artist intercom matrix, 35 Riedel AIR headsets are used; their lightweight construction allows the headphones to be worn without fatigue. Production at the new broadcasting center will begin later this year.
