IBC technical resources /audio, Terry Nelson, specified a Cadac MegaCOMMS high resolution digital audio network to distribute audio throughout the 1,700 seat IBC Big Screen Experience auditorium, where the IBC ran a programme of presentations and screenings, demonstrating "how the disciplines between cinema and traditional broadcast are merging". The IBC Big Screen Experience featured cutting-edge cinema technology, including Christie 6P 2D and 3D laser projection and Dolby Atmos immersive audio. Programme highlights included screenings of re-mastered features Life of Pi and Dawn of the Planet of the Apes.
The Cadac MegaCOMMS network comprised of the MC 3072 input capable CDC MC Router 'backbone' and four MC stageboxes - two CDC MC CDCI/O 3216 and two CDC MC CDCI/O 6448 - positioned stage, balcony, projection booth and auditorium. A CDC eight-32 mixing console ran all audio for presentations, film extracts and product reels, via eight matrix busses into Q-SYS, with the Dolby CP-850 Atmos processor being routed directly into the network for the film screenings. A MC CDC MC MADI bridge was on hand to enable integration of 'external' MADI audio sources, if required.
Commenting on the deployment of the MegaCOMMS network and CDC eight console, Terry Nelson stated, "The installation was up and running right from the start and gave us a lot of flexibility in terms of sourcing and routing signal sources. We did not have to reboot the system once during the whole show - which is an ideal situation! The CDC eight control surface is simplicity itself and very much follows the user thought processes. It is definitely a step forward."
Meanwhile a Cadac CDC four compact digital console was specified to handle studio audio production for the on-site IBC TV 24 hour online news channel. The channel provided live streams of IBC Conference Keynote Sessions, recorded sessions from the Forum, presentations and case studies from IBC and IBC Content Everywhere Feature areas, as well as breaking news from the Exhibition floor, and comment and analysis from industry experts.
A Cadac Live1 compact analogue console handled reinforcement in the main conference room, where sound engineer Richard Bradford mixed microphone and audio feeds for presentations, panel discussions and video presentations.
(Jim Evans)
