STAGETEC proudly provided their NEXUS modular Audio Network, handling analog-to-digital conversion, audio network routing and delivery across multiple digital formats (Dante, AES67, and MADI) for this extraordinary production. The system seamlessly handled over 550 inputs and delivered more than 1,550 outputs to 5 mixing consoles for the television broadcast mix (Lawo), live house audio, wireless in-ear and wedge monitor mixes (Yamaha Rivage), production mixes with live audience capture (STAGETEC AVATUS) for a 128-input Dolby ATMOS™ Surround mix (AVID S6) and simultaneous multitrack archival recording systems. This effort is part of Belmont University’s multi-phase plan to integrate performance venues, recording studios, certified Dolby ATMOS™ film mixing theaters, and multiple Belmont facilities on Music Row, including the renowned Ocean Way Nashville. STAGETEC’s ultra-low-latency fiber optic network—delivering latency of less than 1ms regardless of distance—proved to be the ideal solution for this ambitious project.
Joe Baldridge, Director of Operations, Ocean Way Studios Nashville and Belmont Professor remarked, “STAGETEC NEXUS modular audio system managed the entire network of multiple destinations, formats, sample rate conversions and multiple production purposes. The incredibly low signal to noise ratio, amazing fidelity and less than 700µs latency from 128 live inputs at Fisher Center to our Large ATMOS™ mix theater at the Johnson Center is remarkable. We see this as the solution for our entire media production program because of its flexibility, compatibility, and scalability.”
“The STAGETEC NEXUS system extended our reach to parts of campus allowing us to educate students in ways that were never available before” said Rusty King, Director of Production and Facilities for The Fisher Center for the Performing Arts. “NEXUS allowed us the ability to send over 160+ audio inputs across the campus into multiple locations, including a first ever live ATMOS™ mix of the Christmas at Belmont event, TV broadcast truck capturing video and multitrack audio for post-production, a FOH desk mixing for an audience, a Monitor desk mixing for the 600 performers on stage, and another multi-track recording station as a backup - all working off the same NEXUS routing from the live event. All the engineers were pleasantly surprised by the extremely low latency, the greater signal to noise ratio on each input, and the flexibility of being able to interface in any format directly into their I/O devices. This proof-of-concept was exceptionally well done and I’m thankful to the Belmont Alumni and friends that gave us these opportunities to thrive.”
With its global streaming debut on Prime Video and Amazon Music on Twitch this year, “Christmas at Belmont” promises to continue its tradition of excellence, bringing the spirit of the season to homes around the world while solidifying Belmont’s role as a leader in media, entertainment, production, and performance education.
Pictures: Sim Simpkins / Belmont University / STAGETEC
