Broadcast News
15/07/2024
UK's Most Popular Radio Stations Moves To PMC Equipped Studios
After 18 years at Wogan House, BBC Radio 2 has moved back into the nearby BBC Broadcasting House, London, and is housed in new studios designed by specialist broadcast systems integrator, IPE.
The four new studios form part of Broadcasting House’s Popular Music Hub, and this expansion brings the total number of studios in the Hub to 10. They provide facilities for the UK’s most listened to radio stations – Radio 2, Radio 1 and 6 Music.
Ben Relf, Senior Project Engineer at IPE, said: "IPE has a long history of working with the BBC on several technology projects, installing Yalding House Radio 1 studios in 2005 and later installing the original Popular Music Hub studios when Broadcasting House was being built in 2012. At the time, these were fitted with Studer mixing consoles and multiple pairs of PMC TB1S loudspeakers."
The new facilities are largely based around an Audio over IP infrastructure, with DHD audio consoles provided in each studio. These were specified with local audio I/O to cater for periphery items, such as microphones and speakers. PMC6 active two-way monitors matched with a PMC8 Sub were used as the main studio loudspeakers.
The studios are also equipped with Radio Visualisation facilities, Live Music performance areas, DJ Positions with Pioneer DJ Decks and Technics Turntables, and an IHSE KVM System to allow operators in pairs of studios to access the necessary PCs and Playout Servers. Much of the new equipment was supplied by pro audio technology provider HHB, which worked closely with IPE to deliver hardware to meet the project timescales, despite challenging supply conditions in the wider technology market.
Ben Relf said the expansion of the Popular Music Hub was a huge success, despite everyone working to incredibly tight time constraints. "We have received very good feedback from users, who are impressed with the new studio facilities provided."
PMC's own history with the BBC dates back 30 years, although the company's founder and Chairman Peter Thomas has an even longer history with the corporation, having joined as an engineer in 1977. He eventually became Engineering Manager, a role that involved developing new products and providing technical and engineering support for BBC Radio’s Music Studios.
In the early 1990s, Thomas and PMC’s co-founder Adrian Loader (then working at FWO Bauch), were asked to design a full range loudspeaker capable of handling very high SPLs for live music performances taking place at Maida Vale. The result was the BB (Big Box) series of transmission line prototypes.
"It took five prototypes before the studio was happy," Thomas said. "By the time we got to the BB5 we had something they really liked, and they decided to buy two pairs. However, I couldn't sell them and remain an employee because it was deemed a conflict of interest, so I left my job and set up PMC with Adrian. That was in 1991 and the BB5 became the industry’s first large active speaker with genuine resolution and accuracy. Their design is still in use in studios globally, with the BB6 Active being the latest evolution of the design in production today."
Thomas added that he is proud and delighted that PMC monitoring is being used in the new Radio 2 studios.
"Our professional studio products are world-renowned for their clarity, resolution and neutrality, especially at the low end of the frequency spectrum," he said. "Our designs really do pass the test of time – the original BB5s that we built are still in use at Maida Vale."
PMC customers now include concert halls, mastering studios and recording studios such as the world-famous Capitol Studios and Hollywood’s film scoring elite. In Germany, PMC were used for recording classical music for Deutsche Gramophon and Harmonia Mundi, while big name celebrities like Stevie Wonder, Calvin Harris, Elton John and electronic pioneers Kraftwerk choose PMC.
www.pmc-speakers.com
The four new studios form part of Broadcasting House’s Popular Music Hub, and this expansion brings the total number of studios in the Hub to 10. They provide facilities for the UK’s most listened to radio stations – Radio 2, Radio 1 and 6 Music.
Ben Relf, Senior Project Engineer at IPE, said: "IPE has a long history of working with the BBC on several technology projects, installing Yalding House Radio 1 studios in 2005 and later installing the original Popular Music Hub studios when Broadcasting House was being built in 2012. At the time, these were fitted with Studer mixing consoles and multiple pairs of PMC TB1S loudspeakers."
The new facilities are largely based around an Audio over IP infrastructure, with DHD audio consoles provided in each studio. These were specified with local audio I/O to cater for periphery items, such as microphones and speakers. PMC6 active two-way monitors matched with a PMC8 Sub were used as the main studio loudspeakers.
The studios are also equipped with Radio Visualisation facilities, Live Music performance areas, DJ Positions with Pioneer DJ Decks and Technics Turntables, and an IHSE KVM System to allow operators in pairs of studios to access the necessary PCs and Playout Servers. Much of the new equipment was supplied by pro audio technology provider HHB, which worked closely with IPE to deliver hardware to meet the project timescales, despite challenging supply conditions in the wider technology market.
Ben Relf said the expansion of the Popular Music Hub was a huge success, despite everyone working to incredibly tight time constraints. "We have received very good feedback from users, who are impressed with the new studio facilities provided."
PMC's own history with the BBC dates back 30 years, although the company's founder and Chairman Peter Thomas has an even longer history with the corporation, having joined as an engineer in 1977. He eventually became Engineering Manager, a role that involved developing new products and providing technical and engineering support for BBC Radio’s Music Studios.
In the early 1990s, Thomas and PMC’s co-founder Adrian Loader (then working at FWO Bauch), were asked to design a full range loudspeaker capable of handling very high SPLs for live music performances taking place at Maida Vale. The result was the BB (Big Box) series of transmission line prototypes.
"It took five prototypes before the studio was happy," Thomas said. "By the time we got to the BB5 we had something they really liked, and they decided to buy two pairs. However, I couldn't sell them and remain an employee because it was deemed a conflict of interest, so I left my job and set up PMC with Adrian. That was in 1991 and the BB5 became the industry’s first large active speaker with genuine resolution and accuracy. Their design is still in use in studios globally, with the BB6 Active being the latest evolution of the design in production today."
Thomas added that he is proud and delighted that PMC monitoring is being used in the new Radio 2 studios.
"Our professional studio products are world-renowned for their clarity, resolution and neutrality, especially at the low end of the frequency spectrum," he said. "Our designs really do pass the test of time – the original BB5s that we built are still in use at Maida Vale."
PMC customers now include concert halls, mastering studios and recording studios such as the world-famous Capitol Studios and Hollywood’s film scoring elite. In Germany, PMC were used for recording classical music for Deutsche Gramophon and Harmonia Mundi, while big name celebrities like Stevie Wonder, Calvin Harris, Elton John and electronic pioneers Kraftwerk choose PMC.
www.pmc-speakers.com
Top Related Stories
Click here for the latest broadcast news stories.
14/01/2019
PMC Partners With Dolby And Universal Music
A Dolby Atmos demo facility will form the centerpiece of PMC's booth at NAMM 2019, giving artists, producers and recording engineers an opportunity to
PMC Partners With Dolby And Universal Music
A Dolby Atmos demo facility will form the centerpiece of PMC's booth at NAMM 2019, giving artists, producers and recording engineers an opportunity to
04/06/2019
PMC Opens New Demo Studios
PMC has opened new demo studios on the East and West Coasts of the USA with a view to giving recording professionals the opportunity to hear the power
PMC Opens New Demo Studios
PMC has opened new demo studios on the East and West Coasts of the USA with a view to giving recording professionals the opportunity to hear the power
08/02/2011
BBC Radio To 'Extend Appeal - But Remain Distinctive'
A BBC Trust review has concluded that BBC Radio 3, Radio 4 and Radio 7 are much loved and highly valued by the millions of licence fee payers that lis
BBC Radio To 'Extend Appeal - But Remain Distinctive'
A BBC Trust review has concluded that BBC Radio 3, Radio 4 and Radio 7 are much loved and highly valued by the millions of licence fee payers that lis
08/11/2019
PMC Speakers Appoints Vintage Studios As Its Distributor In Thailand
PMC Speakers has announced that Vintage Studios has been appointed as its official distributor in Thailand, with responsibility for the company’s enti
PMC Speakers Appoints Vintage Studios As Its Distributor In Thailand
PMC Speakers has announced that Vintage Studios has been appointed as its official distributor in Thailand, with responsibility for the company’s enti
09/04/2004
PMC units installed throughout major new Netherlands broadcast centre
The principal Dutch broadcast company, Holland Media Groep (HMG), has completed a massive relocation of all of its studio facilities to a single site
PMC units installed throughout major new Netherlands broadcast centre
The principal Dutch broadcast company, Holland Media Groep (HMG), has completed a massive relocation of all of its studio facilities to a single site
28/02/2019
Broadcast Solutions Helps Implement Two Digital FM Radio Stations In Bangladesh
Broadcast Solutions together with Bangladesh Betar state broadcasting provider, implemented the first two FM radio stations with digital production te
Broadcast Solutions Helps Implement Two Digital FM Radio Stations In Bangladesh
Broadcast Solutions together with Bangladesh Betar state broadcasting provider, implemented the first two FM radio stations with digital production te
29/08/2019
PMC Speakers Appoints Matrix Pro Audio
PMC Speakers has appointed Matrix Pro Audio as its premier retail partner in Norway and is currently running a coordinated marketing campaign to promo
PMC Speakers Appoints Matrix Pro Audio
PMC Speakers has appointed Matrix Pro Audio as its premier retail partner in Norway and is currently running a coordinated marketing campaign to promo
10/08/2012
BBC Studios And Post Production Confirms Interim Moves To Elstree Studios
BBC Studios and Post Production, a commercial subsidiary of the BBC providing world-class television studios, post production and digital media servic
BBC Studios And Post Production Confirms Interim Moves To Elstree Studios
BBC Studios and Post Production, a commercial subsidiary of the BBC providing world-class television studios, post production and digital media servic
22/11/2019
Man Made Music Upgrades Its Surround Monitoring With PMC
Owned by award-winning composer and producer Joel Beckerman, Man Made Music felt only PMC products could deliver the audio excellence it was looking f
Man Made Music Upgrades Its Surround Monitoring With PMC
Owned by award-winning composer and producer Joel Beckerman, Man Made Music felt only PMC products could deliver the audio excellence it was looking f
13/12/2010
BBC Digital Radio Accelerates
BBC Radio has announced the launch of a new national digital radio transmitter in Wrotham, Kent. The new transmitter will be a key part in the transmi
BBC Digital Radio Accelerates
BBC Radio has announced the launch of a new national digital radio transmitter in Wrotham, Kent. The new transmitter will be a key part in the transmi
08/09/2003
Munro high standards recognised by new Dutch contract
UK studio design professional, Munro Acoustics, has been awarded the contract for the acoustical and interior design and fit-out of a brand new Radio-
Munro high standards recognised by new Dutch contract
UK studio design professional, Munro Acoustics, has been awarded the contract for the acoustical and interior design and fit-out of a brand new Radio-
27/06/2012
HHB Supplies Fuse FM With Studer OnAir 1500 Consoles For New Radio Studios
HHB Communications has supplied Fuse FM, the University of Manchester Students’ Union radio station, with two Studer OnAir 1500 audio mixers as part o
HHB Supplies Fuse FM With Studer OnAir 1500 Consoles For New Radio Studios
HHB Communications has supplied Fuse FM, the University of Manchester Students’ Union radio station, with two Studer OnAir 1500 audio mixers as part o
04/10/2019
PMC To Display Full Dolby Atmos® Monitoring System At AES
PMC is to present a landmark display at this year's AES Convention in New York, featuring a full Dolby Atmos® certified monitoring system. The UK loud
PMC To Display Full Dolby Atmos® Monitoring System At AES
PMC is to present a landmark display at this year's AES Convention in New York, featuring a full Dolby Atmos® certified monitoring system. The UK loud
20/07/2010
BBC Radio 2 And 6 Music Appoint Network Manager
Lorna Clarke has now been appointed as Network Manager for BBC Radio 2 and 6 Music. Lorna's role will cover strategy, finance, commercial and the crea
BBC Radio 2 And 6 Music Appoint Network Manager
Lorna Clarke has now been appointed as Network Manager for BBC Radio 2 and 6 Music. Lorna's role will cover strategy, finance, commercial and the crea
07/01/2019
Freesat Adds Virgin Radio UK
Freesat has announced the addition of Virgin Radio UK to its digital radio channels. The music station joins a line-up of national and regional radio
Freesat Adds Virgin Radio UK
Freesat has announced the addition of Virgin Radio UK to its digital radio channels. The music station joins a line-up of national and regional radio