Big Brother Canada Selects Lawo Consoles

The second season of Big Brother Canada returns on March 5, with Insight Production Company Ltd (Insight) having selected Lawo technology to handle their audio production needs.
The setup includes two Lawo mc²56 digital audio mixing consoles with fiber-connected stage boxes, which allowed for completion of the technical installation in one day. The consoles, fiber cabling and analog breakouts were provided by Broadcast Systems & Equipment Inc. (BSI) and Lawo North America as a rental package, with configuration, training and setup support provided by Lawo North America’s Engineering Manager Doug Smith.
The decision to go with Lawo was made by Shawn Hughes, Manager of Engineering and Operations and Lead Audio Engineer Kent Ford, who both have worked with Lawo equipment for MTV productions.
Kent was hired by Insight Productions as audio design consultant to source and implement equipment needs, supervise installation and train other operators.
Mr Kent said: "Shawn and I previously installed the mc²56 at MTV Canada. Given our past experiences with their systems, we felt that Lawo was the best solution for ease of installation and operation and the ability to quickly and easily route and re-route audio signals. We’re excited to see how this platform will allow us to expand even further for Season 3."
"What distinguishes the Big Brother Canada show from other productions is the massive use of inputs and outputs, requiring lots of processing power in the audio console. The show uses about 100 mics and outputs signals to eight multitrack recorders; and there are two live streams that output up to three different stories to follow, as well as a daily live-to-air show that streams to the internet," says Kent.
"Weekly we also produce two 1-hour taped shows, one 1-hour live studio show that includes all elements live from the house as the houseguests are evicted, and one 30-minute live studio show all for the TV Network Slice™. The show is heavily dependent on an intercom system that provides communications amongst the various staff and is also used to move audio into the house during the show. Many ports of the intercom are routed through Lawo's MADI matrix to be used on air or recorded. The equipment needs to possess the ability to constantly and reliably adapt to the changing needs of the show as the weeks go on."
The two Lawo mc²56 consoles on site have dedicated tasks. Each console produces a different mix that is determined by the producers and dependent upon the stories unfolding in the house. Additionally, Console 1 – a 48-fader mc²56 – acts as a router and supplies the second console with signals via its direct outs.
There are 68 house plant mics, 10 crowd mics, and 32 wireless mics that are connected locally. The entire setup has about 140 mics and up to 120 cameras that will be on air 24/7 from the day the show starts on March 5th until May 8th.
Kent added: "A special benefit in the use of the Lawo consoles is the ability to manage signal flow to the many channels of recording used for three different story lines, as well as having the intercom interfaced though the available MADI ports. It’s reduced our cable needs considerably."
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