RELAY is virtual mixing software that's designed to make maximum use of today's powerful laptop and desktop PCs. Taking advantage of computer virtualization technology adapted from the IT industry enables RELAY users to pack an entire studio's worth of broadcast gear onto a single PC.
"You should have seen engineers' eyes light up when they saw RELAY," comments Lawo Radio marketing specialist Clark Novak. "The moment they realized that not just mixing, but other hardware like audio processors, phone systems, codecs and more could be replaced with software that all runs on a single PC, they began thinking of ways to simplify studios and cut costs using virtualization. It wouldn't surprise me if all radio studios were built this way one day."
RELAY software lets engineers replace physical consoles, and entire racks of accessory gear, using a single desktop or laptop PC - with significant cost savings. With RELAY, all mixing is done natively on a standard Windows laptop or PC. Its intuitive multi-touch interface gives talents a familiar way to mix audio; behind the scenes, software apps from RELAY partners supply virtualized codecs, phone hybrids, audio processors, cross-point routers, streaming encoders and other broadcast tools that run entirely in software, interfacing with the mixer via standard WDM or ASIO interfaces.
RELAY is "perfect for grab-and-go remote kits, field journalists, fast setup of on-location studios, webcasting, a replacement for aging studio hardware, or as a permanent personal studio at home". Bundles include RELAY VRX4 and VRX8 (4- and 8-fader mixer) software, paired with a compact Lawo OnAir 4 audio interface to supply mic, line, AES3 and RAVENNA / AES67 I/O. A heavy-duty RELAY backback with space for a laptop and other on-air accessories like mics and headphones is also included.
(Jim Evans)
