SSL System T Takes on Core News Responsibilities at DR

The System T installation includes two identical systems in Studios 13 and 14, each with its own Tempest Audio Engines, 48-fader main Control Room control surfaces, plus T-SOLSA (PC-based control) and Remote Fader Panels in the Production Control Rooms. Studio analogue I/O is supplied by SSL Alpha-Link Live R (Analogue, AES, MADI) and SSL Network I/O SB 8.8 (Mic, Line, GPIO), while Machine Room facilities include Network I/O SDI-MADI and MADI Bridge units.

Another two studios - 12 and 15 are also connected to the Dante network via SSL Alpha-Link LIVE-R, SB 8.8 and MADI-Bridge hardware.

The installation includes PSU redundancy throughout, full Dante network redundancy, and OCP (Optimal Core Processing) network redundancy with two Dante HC cards in each Tempest Engine (1040 x 1040 bi-directional channels per Engine).

Both System Ts are running 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and 365 days per year. They're a core part of DR's breaking news transmissions as well as regular broadcasts on the DR1 and DR2 TV channels, which include four main programmes a day on DR1, and three programmes a day on DR2, plus additional political coverage and so on. Those control rooms are also used for larger broadcast events, such as mixing the Olympics coverage in 5.1.

The systems are responsible for mixing all master broadcast outputs, as well as all in-ear feeds, studio PA, and mix minus for live feeds. In a basic stereo news configuration at DR, each System T is using about 300 processed DSP paths, including 82 mono channels, 56 stereo channels, stems, auxes, mix-minus' and masters. though each Tempest Engine is capable of running over 800 paths each, so there is plenty of scope for even the most demanding productions. There is also extensive integration with the Studio's Riedel intercomm system.

Sound for short programmes are run entirely with Viz Mosart production automation control, and with System T’s Dialogue AutoMix functionality, while the longer programmes have Engineers at the consoles.

System T is SSL's Networked Audio Production Environment, designed from the ground up to provide the power to handle large-scale broadcast productions in a multi-platform delivery-driven future.

A range of System T control interfaces can also be connected anywhere on the Network and incorporate multi-touch and gesture-driven screen technology, hardware control, and intelligent, intuitive workflow.  Up to three consoles or control interfaces can control a single powerful Tempest Audio Engine. Multiple engines can be used on a single network.

Routing and I/O is based on the Dante AoIP network (integrating the AES67 transport standard) - featuring Dante HC (High Channel) connectivity. SSL’s expanding Network I/O range puts SSL audio quality Stageboxes and interfaces wherever they are required in a facility.