The Opportunity

The redeveloped O’Connells Pavilion Shopping Mall was recently opened in the resort city of Queenstown on New Zealand’s South Island after five years of planning and construction.

The developer has leased two floors of the four-level building to global luxury travel retailer DFS Group for its “Resort Galleria” concept. The area includes a food hall named Eatspace that can accommodate 230 people.

AV systems integrator Strawberry Sound was tasked to outfit the audio and visual requirements of the venue which included a wireless microphone system. “We experienced a challenge in relation to where the customer mostly wanted to use their wireless microphone system,” says Reuben Pearce, Director at Strawberry Sound Queenstown. “The electronics cabinet is located in the opposite corner of the building, behind a concrete wall, and that could result in significant RF dropouts.”

The Solution

Reuben explained that with Queenstown being one of New Zealand’s top travel destinations and the renovated mall a major shopping destination, all of the technology had to fit the facility’s visual aesthetic. “We needed an architecturally appropriate product to use on an exposed ceiling,” he adds. “We had recently been introduced to the new Diversity Architectural Antenna by RF Venue distributor JPRO and it became clear that this would become an essential part of providing reliable wireless audio in an aesthetically pleasing format.”

System Features

RF Venue is a leading global manufacturer of wireless audio essential accessories. The Diversity Architectural Antenna is a high-performance antenna system for wireless microphones that features a slim profile enclosure, can be installed in any position on a wall or ceiling and can be painted to match any interior. Using a unique patent-pending dual-feed antenna design, both A and B diversity connections are provided, so there’s no need to install two separately spaced antennas, resulting in a more professional look that room designers and architects appreciate.

The Diversity Architectural Antenna was supplied through New Zealand distributor JPRO, one of New Zealand’s leading and most experienced professional audio and AV distribution companies.

“At JPRO, we understand that RF dropouts can ruin the most perfect production,” observes Andrew Sorrill, Marketing Specialist at JPRO. “We recommend the use of RF Venue products to our customers for any small, medium or large-scale wireless project because they perform reliably with all wireless audio brands, ensuring no dropouts.”

The Impact

Reuben Pearce says the result was what was expected: “Reliable wireless coverage from day one,” he says, with exceptional RF connectivity with zero dropouts throughout the space. “Our technicians were able to get in and out efficiently and deliver exactly what the client needed.” Expected, he says, because “we’ve used RF Venue products in prior projects, so we know we can rely on a good result. They simply do as they say they do on the box. RF Venue have a direct and reliable solution to what could have been a very real wireless problem.”

In Concert Productions (ICP) is a production leader in the Atlanta, Georgia and Southeastern US markets. Providing solutions in live events, corporate and broadcast audio services for a wide variety of television program productions, including Family Feud, Titan Games, Judge Steve Harvey and Dancing With Myself, as well as cutting-edge televised sports like Fan Controlled Football.

Key to ICP’s arsenal of tools are reliable wireless audio essentials from RF Venue. Thanks to ICP’s use of these products, the shows have never experienced a wireless audio dropout, putting producers’ minds at ease and making filming and editing a breeze.

The popular game show Family Feud, filmed at the Trilith Studios in Fayetteville, GA, uses four RF Venue Diversity Fin Antennas, covering all four sides of the studio stage. The four antennas, picking up multiple channels of Shure Axient wireless microphones, are routed to an RF Venue DISTRO4 Antenna Distribution System.

“Rock-solid and cost-effective,” says Jay Rabbitt, ICP President. “These are two things that daytime television production demands, and RF Venue always delivers.”

ICP recently wrapped 20 episodes of the 2022 season of Judge Steve Harvey, featuring the titular actor, writer and impresario. Dropout-free wireless audio is assured by the use of an RF Venue DISTRO4 Antenna Distribution System receiving signal from four RF Venue Diversity Fin antennas.

“The action can be pretty fast paced, and participants move around the set, so the wireless signals have to be consistently strong,” says Rabbitt. “RF Venue gear never misses a beat.”

On NBC’s new primetime hit Dancing With Myself, contestants occupy stacked metal boxes as they perform, a situation that can wreak havoc with multiple channels of wireless audio. Over 12 channels of mics used by the contestants and audience interviews are totally protected, thanks to the use of RF Venue 4 ZONE antenna combiners and four Diversity Fin antennas used to cover the set and the outdoor judges’ tables.

“I can have all of the wireless channels coming to me for a combined input and output for the show’s audio,” says Rabbitt. “And as a bonus, it does that at a fraction of the cost of anyone else’s equipment.”

Another show testing the limits of wireless sound was BET’s 2021 Next Chance Girl Group which put aspiring vocalists together in a 14,000-square-foot house on 18 acres. On site, four 4 ZONE antenna combiners were connected to a fifth 4 ZONE unit collecting audio from throughout the house and grounds.

“The system was on 24/7, constantly covering the house and grounds,” says Rabbitt. “Never a dropout, never a missed mark.”

Fan Controlled Football is the latest way Americans can assuage their addiction to football during the NFL’s off season. And if they like miked-up players, they’ve come to the right place: All 18 members of both teams are wired for sound throughout the game. Four of RF Venue’s 4 ZONE units are used to combine the wireless microphone signals collected from across the 300 X 100-foot gridiron, and they do so flawlessly, says Rabbitt.

“We also had another six channels of handheld wireless mics and broadcast lavaliers, and this was all played across the street from a group of mobile-phone cell towers and broadcast television antennas. And you guessed it: not a single dropout during the entire three-month season. RF Venue is simply bulletproof when it comes to wireless, no matter where or how we use it.”

Over the last year, Audinate, the Blue Note Entertainment Group (of the iconic Blue Note Jazz Clubs) and Peltrix (an integration firm) collaborated on an industry-first demonstration for long-distance, networked audio-video links. In June of 2021, they demonstrated their solution linking three locations up to 1200 kilometres apart with multiple streams of Dante audio and Dante AV video links.

In this demonstration, system latency was so low, musicians were able to comfortably play together as if they were in the same room. No click tracks or guides were used, and timing was natural for performers. Dante AV played an important part in the demo, allowing musicians to see each other, taking visual cues, read body language and engaging with each other seamlessly. The products used are all commercially available today.

View Webinar

If you were unable to attend the webinar live, or would like to re-watch it, we have made the entire session available to watch on-demand. Watch the Peltrix takes Dante over Distance with the Blue Note Entertainment Group webinar here:

Nano KX is a balanced Bluetooth and analogue volume controller that seamlessly integrates into your production space or mixing console. It is perfect for content creators, home-recording enthusiasts as well as mobile DJs, production companies and performers who want to integrate Bluetooth streaming in non-Bluetooth systems.

Key Features

• Bluetooth wireless audio streaming delivers modern connectivity to analogue systems.
• Compact size gives users high functionality without consuming a great deal of workspace.
• Industrial angle and design elements enhance usability and deliver a sleek look, while a heavy rubber base prevents slipping.
• A balanced XLR combo input and XLR output provide professional grade connections, while a 3.5mm aux input and output allows for monitor extension.
• An illuminated level control ring shows when the unit is powered and helps users to find and adjust controls in low light situations.
• Mini-USB power connection makes it easy to power via USB power supply.

Availability

JPRO is the authorised distributor for JBL Professional in New Zealand. The JBL NANO KX Balanced Bluetooth and Analogue Audio Controller is now available to purchase in NZ .

The Opportunity

MediaWorks recently consolidated their Auckland radio facilities into a purpose-built location to house nine of New Zealand’s leading commercial radio stations.

The large 4400m2 converted warehouse located in Hargreaves Street, was specially designed to accommodate 16 studios and production suites, including meeting rooms, open plan offices and a semi-covered pavilion for private functions and guest performances.

The interior design and architecture features are inspired by music and sound, while the state-of-the-art technical infrastructure was conceptualised by the MediaWorks NZ technical team.

The Solution

“The technology that underpins the content delivery from Hargreaves St represents a significant upgrade in capability and is one of the world’s largest deployments of audio-over-IP,” says MediaWorks chairman Jack Matthews.

The studio suites have been optimised to allow for future video recording and live televised broadcasting. Radio Stations such as More FM require various satellite uplinks and local breakouts that simultaneously run a combination of localised and networked programming for different geographical areas.

A world class facility of this nature required affordable world-leading studio monitors for accurate audio in any production space and studio.

A combination of JBL Professional 3 Series 305PMKII 5” and 308PMKII 8” powered reference monitors were selected, depending on the layout of the studio. The JBL 3 series delivers an impressive dynamic range for a variety of music genres between the nine radio stations. The patented Image Control Waveguide provides a wide sweet spot with precise detail and imaging, allowing for tight segues and compelling audio imaging.

The Impact

“We searched world-wide for the best-integrated technologies and have really transcended the limits on what is a once-in-a-lifetime project that we are all so very proud of,” says Mike Heard, Solutions Architect at MediaWorks NZ. “Watching our content and tech teams work in complete harmony to achieve this goal and seeing each station and show go to air in their flash new studios has been incredibly rewarding. The feedback we have received from our colleagues and the added smiles behind the mic have elevated our shows to a whole new level. Our next brand is a few months away but will be the most innovative radio build in NZ, if not the world. Hold on tight it’s going to be a heck of a ride.”

Mâori Television provides a range of local and international programming for New Zealand’s audiences across the country and online. Founded in 2004, the station is dedicated to the revitalization and normalization of the Mâori language and culture through high-quality, readily accessible programming in both Mâori and English. Reflecting its commitment to quality, Mâori Television recently upgraded its studios with the addition of HARMAN’s Studer 32-fader Vista 5 M3 and 12-fader OnAir 2500 digital consoles.

The studio needed to replace its aging analogue mixing desks and make the move to digital. They wanted consoles that were flexible and easy to use. “Our studios are used for a variety of shows, including live news and current affairs programs, talk shows, sports programming and more,” said Kane Dickie, sound team leader. “One of the most challenging requirements is doing the sound for a live music show that requires mixing multiple hosts talking at once plus a live band.”

Mâori Television wanted to avoid having to patch the consoles into external effects devices, and chose the Studer consoles because they had enough built-in effects to handle all the processing for all the shows that are produced at Mâori Television. Ease of use was equally important – “we wanted consoles that were intuitive to use, so that most of the people in our studio would be able to operate them.” In addition, the consoles had to be able to link together so they could share sources between Mâori Televisions two broadcast studios. The Vista 5 M3 offers access of up to 240 channels, ensuring the station would have all the inputs it needs. Along with the Vista 5 M3 and On Air 2500, Mâori Television purchased three Studer Compact Stagebox expansion units, a 32-in/16-out and two 16-in/16-out models.

Before Mâori TV purchased them, JPRO set up the complete system on their premises to allow Kane and his team to try them out. The Mâori TV staff took to the consoles immediately, giving high marks to the consoles’ easy, fast and responsive operation, accessible control layouts, convenient Vistonics™ and Touch’n’Action color touch screens, and variety of useful built-in effects.”

Now that the Vista 5 M3 and On Air 2500 are up and running at Mâori Television, Kane confirms their initial positive experience with the consoles at JPRO. “The transition from analogue to digital consoles went smoothly. In addition to doing everything we need them to and then some, we’ve noticed that the Studer consoles’ preamps have made all of our mics sound much cleaner. In addition, all of the old analogue buzz we could never get rid of in the past has disappeared.” In Mâori it’s called “Kia Tika” – being professional and maintaining high standards. It’s one of Mâori Television’s core values, and the Studer Vista 5 M3 and On Air 2500 reflect the station’s commitment to “Kia Tika.”

The Opportunity

Designed exclusively with esports in mind, LPL Studios is a state-of-the-art broadcast studio that includes an ultra-modern control room, dedicated console and PC booths as well as commentary and analysis desks and game pods. The facility allows for 4K or HD recording and live broadcast of esports events at most major New Zealand and Australian venues.

The studios are close to the SKYCITY Theatre, where live events with a 700-strong audience are possible. Up to 3000 fans are being projected due to the opening of the International Convention Centre in 2019.

The Solution

As a result of their experience and knowledge integrating systems in a wide range of applications, leading broadcast integrator Digital Video Technologies (DVT) was tasked to implement a broadcast service solution based around the unique requirements of esports.

“The layout of the venue is rather unique as it is cylindrical in shape, following the natural floor layout of the Sky Tower” comments Stuart Barnaby of DVT. “We needed to ensure that the acoustics of the various studios was efficient. Further to this we required a flexible, out-of-the-box audio solution.”

To ensure a unique world-class audio solution for the esports studio facility, DVT approached New Zealand Studer and HARMAN Professional Solutions distributor JPRO (formerly known as Jands NZ).

“When I heard the details of the audio requirement, I knew that the best broadcast solution for the studio would be Studer Micro, AKG Professional and JBL” says JPRO Broadcast Specialist Tim Robertson.

The Studer Micro fader control surface was included in the TV Control Room with Studer MicroCore set up as the audio hub and controller. JBL’s compact 305P studio monitors were added into the control room, with volume managed by a JBL MSC1 monitor system controller.

DVT specified AKG HM1000 and CK31 hanging microphones that are used as ambient mics and installed in the game pods. The commentary and analysis desks make use of AKG HSD271 professional studio headsets for the commentators while AKG DMS800 wireless microphones are distributed via Dante.

“With the opening of the first esports broadcast studio in Australasia, we are excited that JPRO and HARMAN Professional are able to provide a solution for an exceptional integrator such as DVT, for the enjoyment of gamers and fans alike,” adds Tim Robertson.