Manhattan Center Studios Extends Its Riedel Intercom System

"We believe that the Riedel intercom is on another level from its competition, and with every software release, it becomes both more powerful and easier to program," said Marvin Williams, director of engineering and operations at Manhattan Center Studios. "There is no request a production or client can make that we cannot accommodate. Now that we are completely Riedel — Artist matrix and keypanels, Performer digital party lines, and Acrobat wireless — the whole system is a pleasure to use. Investing in Riedel is one of the best decisions we ever made."

The Manhattan Center is known for hosting extraordinary performances and special events in which media and entertainment come together. With its unique location in the heart of midtown Manhattan, the facility is a premier mid-size venue for corporate galas, charity fundraisers, award shows, rock concerts, and fashion shows. The Manhattan Center is home to the Hammerstein Ballroom, originally created as an opera house, as well as a full ballroom, two full TV studios, the Log Cabin and Studio 7 audio studios, and 20 plus edit suites, all of which are connected with Riedel intercom systems.

The new installation includes 64-port and 32-port Artist digital matrix intercom mainframes, both equipped with redundant power supplies and CPU cards and featuring fiber connectivity. MADI Client cards allow the transparent transport of up to 64 MADI signals through the Artist infrastructure. For accessing the intercom matrix, a combination of new OLED rack-mount (RCP-1112) and desktop (DCP-1116) key panels have been distributed across the facility. In addition, their Acrobat wireless system was expanded with a new CC-60 system controller, ten new beltpacks, and additional antennas to enhance coverage. The Manhattan Center Studios also added two commentary control panels (CCP-1116) that can each support two commentators, for use during live events or voiceovers.

"Manhattan Center Studios was one of our first U.S. customers, and today it continues to be one of our greatest partners," said Patti Gunnell, entertainment solutions manager, North America, for Riedel Communications. "Customers like Manhattan Center Studios, who demand products that are both flexible and reliable, have made our Artist product the best digital matrix intercom platform available today."

Riedel Communications designs, manufactures, and distributes pioneering real-time video, audio, data, and communications networks for broadcast, pro audio, event, sports, theater, and security applications. The company also provides rental services for radio and intercom systems, event IT solutions, fiber backbones, and wireless signal transmission systems that scale easily for events of any size, anywhere in the world. Founded in 1987, the company now employs more than 400 people at 11 locations in Europe, Asia, Australia, and the Americas.