This analysis delves into how broadcasters are modernizing their control room technology, specifically focusing on the integration of intercom systems and audio mixing workflows within IP, cloud, and hybrid environments. The discussion features the transition from isolated components to unified, scalable systems, encompassing audio routing, intercom, and mixing.
Industry experts share their insights on the increasing demand for flexible, decentralized setups catering to various production needs, including distributed remote production and immersive audio monitoring, all while upholding reliability and clarity. Adam Salkin, senior solutions architect at Diversified, emphasizes broadcasters' focus on connectivity to 2110 audio flows and compatibility with audio mixers. He states, "Broadcasters are prioritizing connectivity to 2110 audio flows and compatibility with audio mixers. Intercom audio should no longer need to be a separate system from an audio mixer."
Marc Wilson, managing director at Glensound, highlights the necessity of Dante or Ravenna AES67 network audio integration within intercom systems for seamless network interfacing. He notes the growing need for screens per channel to display source/destination information directly from the Dante Controller, given the flexibility of channel assignment. The challenges and solutions regarding IP integration with legacy systems are explored, with Martin Dyster, VP of business development at Telos Alliance, describing the varied approaches based on broadcaster needs and content complexity. He emphasizes the importance of flexibility, value, and scalability in modern systems.
Dave MacKinnon, VP of product management at Clear-Com, underscores the importance of flexibility and scalability in supporting hybrid workflows that combine in-studio and remote production. He emphasizes the non-negotiable requirements of reliability, ultra-low latency, and intuitive user interfaces for live broadcasts. He highlights Clear-Com's FreeSpeak Icon beltpack as an example of a product designed to meet these demands. Joyce Bente, president and CEO of the Americas at Riedel Communications, highlights the priority broadcasters place on high-quality audio, robust reliability with redundancy, remote and cloud-enabled workflows, scalability, and standards-based interoperability. She stresses the importance of features like advanced noise suppression and redundant network designs for reliable communication.
The discussion extends to the transition to IP-based systems, their reliability, and the advantages of standards like AES67/ST2110-30 for ensuring voice clarity and minimal latency. The integration of IP intercom systems with legacy analog equipment, the move away from monolithic matrix systems, and the use of nodes for baseband-to-IP conversion are also explored. Further challenges in balancing audio levels between analog and digital equipment, ensuring compatibility of control protocols, and managing latency differences are addressed, with solutions offered by various vendors.
The role of unified protocols in streamlining media transport and control is discussed, along with the use of codecs to facilitate communication across WANs and the internet. Secure VPNs, dedicated WAN circuits, virtual panels, and mobile apps are explored as solutions for extending IP intercom connectivity between remote sites and central studios. The adoption of software-based, decentralized solutions and the increasing use of technologies like NDI for intercom communications are also analyzed. The evolution of cloud-based production workflows and the adoption of hybrid workflows combining on-premises hardware with cloud-enabled and remote intercom panels are significant themes.
Finally, the article concludes with a discussion of the essential considerations for AES67/ST2110-compliant networks, including switch requirements, bandwidth allocation, multicast traffic optimization, redundancy, and failover mechanisms. The transition from hardware to software-based audio mixing and the features of broadcast-grade mixing consoles are also highlighted. The article demonstrates that the convergence of intercom, audio mixing, and IP is revolutionizing the broadcast control room, offering enhanced flexibility, scalability, and reliability.