The department runs all of BT's senior management events within BT Centre, with two areas of operation - a broadcast TV studio and a 170 seat auditorium. The TV studio is used for corporate communications, with approximately 40 pieces to camera taking place every month. These webcasts are broadcast across the BT Intranet/network - accessed by 80,000 desktops - and live links are provided to TV/radio broadcasters and business press when there is breaking news concerning BT.
The new GL4800 desk has been installed in the TV studio, replacing an older Allen & Heath GL4 desk, which was originally installed in 1996. BT also purchased a WZ314:4:2, which is used as part of a portable location system for when webcasts take place from other BT buildings.
"We've had 10 years of good service from the GL4, and the fact that the new GL console was almost a direct replacement, with proven quality and durability, was a big tick in the box. Price was also a key consideration, and the GL4800 represented fantastic value for money for a 32 channel desk," comments BT Group Communications' audio-visual manager, Paul Groves.
"We considered the lower-priced digital desks as a replacement but it seemed that these were all very new to the market and we did not want to have one of the first desks. Ease of use was another factor against going digital, as we frequently use freelance sound engineers who need to jump on a desk that is familiar and easy to operate without having to think too hard about where certain functions are located."
(Lee Baldock)
