Archive notice: This article was originally published on November 19, 2009. Links and embedded videos are preserved as part of the historical record.
After first discovering Aviom’s advantages during the winter 2006 shoot of Rocky Balboa in Philadelphia, USA, sound engineer Mark Ulano—whose honours include the Academy Award for Best Sound—used the manufacturer’s digital multicore system on every subsequent project in which he participated, including films such as Kill Bill, Disturbia, Grindhouse/Death Proof, Iron Man, State of Play and Terminator Salvation.
Ulano uses a simple 16×16 multicore setup for his work. During filming, he uses an AN-16/i-M microphone input module to send the actors’ microphone signals and room microphones from the mixer on the film set to an AN-16/o output module in his recording vehicle. This output module in turn sends the signals to a Yamaha® 01V96 mixing console. An additional AN-16/i input module connected to the digital mixing console sends 16 return signals, including IFB (Interruptible Feedback), Ulano’s monitor mix and music playback, back to an AN-16/o on the film set.
For film-set use, Ulano prefers Aviom’s digital multicore to an analogue multicore because of the system’s flexibility, rapid setup and dismantling, and robustness. Setting up an analogue multicore often takes considerable time, and because it is very bulky it cannot simply be transported to the next location when scenes change. In an environment with a great deal of activity and traffic, a damaged multicore is also not especially easy to replace. Cat-5 cables, by contrast, are not only much cheaper than copper cables and always available, but can also be replaced and transported very easily.
Ulano told the trade magazine Millimeter about the system’s importance to his work: “Aviom’s digital multicore gives me the ability to position the recording systems and mixing console farther away from the recording activity and thereby protect them from the weather. Thanks to the system’s simple plug-and-play setup and modular nature, I can operate several sets simultaneously. Compared with an analogue multicore, I also benefit from drastically reduced maintenance costs with Cat-5 cabling. Even though the end result is ultimately the same, traditional multicores are bulkier, less robust and significantly more expensive in every respect. All we now have to do is switch on the Aviom devices, plug in the Cat5 cable and switch on the wireless receivers—and we are ready to go.” Ulano’s concluding assessment: “Aviom’s digital multicore has significantly accelerated our workflow. Especially as more and more people in the film industry switch to digital equipment, it has revolutionised the possibilities for my work.”
Aviom • Audio Networking Technologies
With more than 50,000 systems sold, US manufacturer Aviom is the worldwide market leader in digital audio-network technology. The popular Pro16 series is used around the world as a digital multicore and personal monitor-mixing system. Development continues with the revolutionary Pro64 series. Every Aviom product is based on the A-Net® high-speed protocol, developed specifically for transmitting digital audio data. Whenever audio signals need to be transported and distributed, Aviom products offer superior solutions. All Aviom products are developed and manufactured in the USA.