Know-how

SWR PK1

Swabians are often a contradiction. Security, for example, is one of their principle values. While on the other hand, Swabians often support the most progressive technologies. With a new installation in Swabia's capital Stuttgart, the regional SWR offers a solution, just be: all-inclusive!

One-Man Show

SWR, a the result of merging the former SDR and SWF broadcasters, maintains production facilities in Baden-Baden, Stuttgart, and Mainz. The Stuttgart branch is primarily responsible for regional programs, news and info features, as well as for live sports programs and large-scale programs about elections taking place in the federal state of Baden-Württemberg. Therefore the audio-control room of the multipurpose studio in the PK1, used mainly for bigger productions, has to be flexible and adaptable to the most versatile demands of various production needs.
This is not a problem for the freely configurable CANTUS system. However, there were two requirements. First, the system has to be easy and quick to operate. Second, it has to be totally reliable because it will be operated by a single engineer who sometimes has to control the P.A. system from inside the TV studio.

A Short Learning Curve

When a station's main control room goes offline the spare control room usually takes over. But the SWR complex doesn't have a spare control room. However, that risk could be taken because there are already four CANTUS consoles plus a CANTUS-based O.B. Truck in use at the local TV-sound installations. SWR was basically introducing known technology into the audio facility, since their sound engineers are already familiar with the CANTUS, the need to retrain was minimal.

Record Time

During the transition from old to new technology, a temporary spare control room was set up and technical efforts were held to a minimum. The trick was to prepare all cables in advance, so they could be directly installed on the spot. The CANTUS/NEXUS System is fast and easy to install and requires little cabling.

Thanks to SALZBRENNER STAGETEC MEDIAGROUP's ability to install the components in record time, the downtime was dramatically reduced. A quick installation period coupled with minimal downtime saves money and, after all, economy is yet another principle value that sets the Swabians apart!