4EVER49 has done its homework! Choosing broadcast equipment for your new studio is, of course, not something to be taken lightly.
Positivity is key at 4EVER49 radio. They believe that their demographic, 49ers, ar not sufficiently being appealed to, despite their abundant zest for life. At 4EVER49 radio, in cooperation with the 4EVER49 foundation, they make cheerful radio for those in the middle of their life, giving the 49ers a voice.
Hans Dols & Jo de Graaf, engineer & DJ/Managing Director at 4EVER49, visited Triple Audio to explore various options for their new studio. We've shown a variety of mixers to them so they could make an informed choice. The mixer had to fit in their budget as well as, perhaps more importantly, fill the needs of the station. In the end the choice was made for the Axia iQx, a choice that Hans Dols expresses no regrets about. He is please with this Axia mixer.
The Axia iQx forms the heart of the studio. Together with the iQ 8-fader extension, the iQx gives this studio 16 faders. The complete broadcast mixer has an n-1 on each channel, equalizer, dynamic processing, auto mix, and so on...
In addition to the mixer, we were also asked to advice on other parts of the studio. The actual construction of the studio was done by the station itself. Hans Dols has designed and built multiple studios in the past. "Building a digital studio is easier. When you understand analogue studios, you know how routing is setup. But if a wire goes loose, then good luck trying to find it." Because the studio is based on Audio over IP (AoIP), every stream is available as Livewire+ and can be used as many times as needed without a maze of cables going through the studio. Finding the missing "thread" has become way easier.
Of course, analogue devices such as microphones are still present in the studio. The connection and routing of these non-AoIP signals in the studio are handled by Axia xNodes. These solid-stade AoIP converters are places close to the source, maximising audio cabling efficiency and ensuring high quality. All that is left is a network connection to the AoIP network.
Headphones are connected through AeroAudio headphone amplifiers which are mounted flush into the desk. This way, every user can control the volume at their own seating, requiring only one network cable to connect them tot he previously mentioned Axia xNodes.
To get listeners live on air, they use the Comrex VH2. The VH2 is connected to the axia iQx through Triple Audio's SmartControl. The development of this integration was a joint effort between 4EVER49 and Triple Audio. The VH2 can now be controlled from the iQx but also from the telephone set on the producer's desk. With the VH2, two digital lines can be set up to increase interaction during a show.
From outside the studio, it's clearly indicated whether you can enter through signalling with the Sonifex Mic Live SignalLED and from inside the studio with Philips HUE lights. The mic-live signalling of the microphones is sent from the AeroAudio MOS Quatro IP, this on-air switch can send signalling to up to four microphones, indicating an on-air (red) or off-air (white) status.
When we asked how things are going with 4EVER49, they told us that they are very proud of the growth of the station as of late. The radio studio has been in use for some time now and everything functions to 4EVER49's delight. To many more years and collaborations for 4EVER49!