To cover the event, Arena provided two OB Trucks for the Other Stage and the BBC Introducing Stage, a large VT truck for the BBC4 and Interactive and Red Button operations and two OB Trucks for BBC2 and BBC3.
The two OB Trucks for BBC2 and BBC3 were each linked via Optocore to the respective BBC2 and BBC3 backstage studios, each feed carrying presenters plus various bands' acoustic sets. A further Optocore run linked the two Scanners to provide full redundancy of the Optocore system. The Optocore systems consisted of 2x 48 in/16 out stageboxes, comprising 2x X6P-16 In, 2x X6P 8/8 and 1x DD32E with 2x DD4ME MADI Interfaces. These were then connected to Calrec mixing consoles.
Mark Reed, Arena's engineer at Glastonbury, remarked: "We did a lot of research before Glastonbury, comparing all options. Optocore gave us the most cost effective solution with no compromises. In addition to set up, monitoring of levels throughout the event was all done with the Optocore software and the system worked perfectly with superb audio quality and reliability."
Andy Huffer of HD Pro Audio commented: "Optocore has often been incorrectly perceived as an expensive option when comparing digital transmission and routing systems. It is a premium networking solution, and clearly a superior system to its perceived competitors in many ways. Ultra-low latency, multiple layers of redundancy, high channel count, mixed media and data streams and superb reliability are all key Optocore traits.
"However, in the case of the systems we supplied to Arena, Optocore not only offered all the required functionality, but was also the most cost-effective. Knowing where Optocore are heading in terms of product development, we at HD Pro Audio are able to continue to grow the brand's UK presence in this vein."
(Jim Evans)
