On Site Broadcast Australia (also known as OSB) was created late last year when two existing OB companies, Sydney's zerO1zerO and Melbourne's Broadcast Rentals, merged. The windshield kits, which are for use in OSB's outside broadcast vehicles, are being supplied via Syntec.
Even before the company merger, zerO1zerO was in the process of ordering over 20 Rycote windshields last year to kit out its newest HD OB vehicle, which was commissioned with assistance from Sony Broadcast.
Following the merger, the decision was taken to refurbish two of Broadcast Rentals' older SD vehicles and to re-equip zerO1zerO's existing SD truck. Rycote windshields - 68 in total - have been ordered for the Sennheiser MKH416, MKH70 and Shure VP88 stereo mics used on all the trucks, as well as a special windshield for the multi-capsule Holophone 5.1 microphone used in the new HD vehicle. Rycote Duck rain protection coverings were ordered alongside the windshields.
"Rycote have always been the standard-issue windshields used on our trucks," explains former zerO1zerO head of sound Keith Cooper, who is now Audio Supervisor at OSB Australia. "The show has to go on whatever conditions we may encounter, and with the Rycote windshields and the Ducks, we're ready for anything the weather can throw at us! We will be placing a similar order again with Syntec and Rycote in the near future, as construction of a second new HD truck, a double-expander, is now in the final planning stages."
"It's always a pleasure to do business for Rycote," adds Robert Sloss, head of Rycote's Australian distributor Syntec. "We are one of the company's oldest overseas distributors, a role we've been delighted to play for over 30 years. One reason is that their products virtually sell themselves to committed broadcast professionals. If you're serious about location sound, you need Rycote windshields - it's as simple as that."
(Claire Beeson)
