Jünger Audio Selected For Studio Upgrade

Jünger Audio's voice processors have been selected as a central feature of the voiceover studios of Input Media.

The D*AP4 VAP Edition units, supplied by Jünger Audio's UK distributor Aspen Media, were installed as part of an upgrade of the west London studio's eight voiceover suites. The project also included the installation of an Axon Digital Design Cerebrum Monitoring and Control System, and Ikegami full HD monitor displays.

The suites are integrated into the central broadcast infrastructure of Input Media's production centre, enabling the firm to work faster and be more responsive to the needs of clients such as UEFA, The FA, The French Tennis Federation and the BBC.

Input Media selected ATG Danmon as its systems integrator for the project.

Nick Symes, Input Media's Director of Technology, said: "We looked at several different technology options, including installing a traditional sound console, but eventually we went with the combination of Jünger Audio processing and Axon Cerebrum control because this allowed us to connect everything to our central Snell router. The Cerebrum software acts as the main controller and presents our operators with a consolidated view of all of the D*AP4 VAPs (we have eight of them – one in each suite) so that they can control the characteristics of each mix.

"With this system, we can easily switch sources around and implement fail over, so if one of the commentary boxes in one of the booths develops a problem we can physically take the commentator out of that booth, put him into another and route everything he needs to the new booth at the touch of a button."

Aimed at applications including TV voice over, radio broadcast and audio post production, Jünger Audio's D*AP4 VAP Edition is a DSP-based 2-channel voice processor that provides the tools for transparently integrating voice content with loudness-critical programme. A range of signal processing options are available, including Jünger Audio's proprietary Spectral Signature dynamic EQ, that offers automatic and dynamic EQ control to balance spectral differences. The unit also incorporates Jünger Audio's Level Magic Loudness Management algorithm that provides adaptive wideband loudness control with high audio quality that is free of coloration, pumping, distortion or modulation effects.

Axon's Cerebrum is an advanced and customisable monitoring and control system that links broadcast equipment from all major manufacturers using either SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol) or third party protocols, including Ember+ which is compatible with Jünger Audio D*AP units. The system supports a range of devices including routers, production switchers, servers, audio desks, camera control units, receiver decoders, multiviewers and waveform monitors, and its advanced functionality and feature range simplifies multi device control onto one interface.

"The Jünger Audio units were chosen because they offer flexibility and control over each mix and because they have a fantastic selection of inbuilt features for audio processing, we are future-proofed to deal with the evolving requirements of our clients should the need arise," added Nick Symes. "Also, the product ensures that all loudness values are compliant with current legislation, so that provides great peace of mind."

Before installing Jünger Audio D*AP4 VAP Edition units, some modifications were needed to meet the specific needs of a number of Input Media's clients.

"On certain matches where there is dual commentary we need to mix two voices together so that we can hand them off as a mono commentary mix," Nick Symes explained. "Initially the D*AP4 VAP units couldn't do this because we were effectively asking them do more than they were capable of. However, Jünger Audio readily agreed to implement some extra monitoring processing in the box to allow us to do this, and we are now very happy with the results. They basically re-engineered the internal DSP processing to provide two extra monitoring channels that could be configured as stereo, dual mono or independent mono, as and when needed.

"This technology is really smart and we are only just starting to explore what it can do. With the Axon Cerebrum system, in particular, we recognise that it can service so much more across other parts of our facility. Upgrading the voiceover suites is a start, but our long term plan is to look at implementing more cross system control to make our disparate systems work better together. However that is quite an undertaking and we have to be sure the operational benefits justify the expense and time it would take to do the work, so although it's something we have earmarked for the future, we are not there yet."

Image: Nick Symes in the new Input Media VO suites. Credit: David Kirk.

www.jungeraudio.com

(JP)