Custom Consoles announces the completion of two studio control desks and MediaWall monitor displays for a new UHD production facility at the London headquarters of Fidelity International. Supervised by systems integration specialist ATG Danmon, the project formed part of Fidelity's relocation to new premises in the centre of the city's financial district. The studios will be used for a range of applications including participation in finance-related broadcasts.

"We recommended Module-R and MediaWall on the basis of long experience with both product ranges," comments ATG Danmon Managing Director Russell Peirson-Hagger. "Their inherent modularity allowed us to specify exactly the required parameters in the full knowledge that the results would be robustly built, ergonomically sound, attractively styled, accurately sized and easy to install."

Largest of the two desks is a six metre wide in-line unit positioned along the main wall of the Studio 1 production gallery. This is configured for use by up to six operators including camera shading, robotic camera control, lighting control, graphic effects, vision mixing and control room to studio talkback. Sloping 3U high equipment pods run almost the entire width of this desk. All equipment above and below the main worktop remains easily accessible.

Lightstorm Entertainment used an extensive array of Blackmagic products, including the Teranex AV, Smart VideoHub 40x40 12G, ATEM 4 M/E Broadcast Studio 4K and more for their recent work during production for the “Avatar” sequels.

CJP Broadcast announces a new addition to its range of products and services with the introduction of a fully integrated transportable live sports production system. Comprising the Streamstar production unit, InPlayer video-on-demand paywall and JW Player streaming service, it provides the core resources needed to create complete programmes for live streaming or VOD distribution.

Available in several versions supporting up to eight camera inputs, the system can ISO-record multiple source feeds simultaneously, plus the live output stream, to a 1 terabyte internal SSD for live mixing or offline postproduction. It is intended for use with a combination of unmanned remote-control broadcast HD pan/tilt/zoom cameras, goal cameras and traditional-style manned ENG tripod-mountable cameras, wireless drone cameras or auxiliary sources such as Skype-TX-connected guests.

SugarHill Recording Studios, one of America’s best-known music recording facilities, has upgraded its Neve Genesys Black console by installing the GenesysControl plugin.

Designed to future proof analogue workflows, the Neve GenesysControl plugin provides the final link to total integration between Genesys and Genesys Black consoles and Digital Audio Workstations. With the GenesysControl plugin on board, recording professionals can mix traditionally using the console, work in-the-box, or combine both approaches in a highly effective hybrid workflow.

Based in Houston, Texas, SugarHill has been helping internationally acclaimed artists create hit records since it first opened its doors in 1941. It has played host to artists such as Lightnin' Hopkins, the Big Bopper, Freddy Fender, Willie Nelson, Ray Price and Destiny's Child.

SugarHill’s Genesys Black console is used for recording and mixing projects. It was originally istalled in 2018 and has been used on many sessions for artists such as Chance the Rapper, George Thorogood, Kevin Gates, 21 Savage, Maxo Kream and North Mississippi Allstars. 

KRK Systems announces Lemek Yisrael as the Grand Prize winner of the First Annual KRK Guitar Solo Contest. A young accomplished guitar player from New Orleans, Yisrael was thrilled to recently be awarded with the contest’s grand prize, an Epiphone Uptown Kat ES guitar.

The Guitar Solo Contest, presented by KRK, was a light-hearted, and very well-received, company initiative for this year’s NAMM Show. During each of the four days at the show, 12 individuals had 15 minutes to choose a Gibson, Epiphone or Kramer guitar, practice a short piece of music and record one live take of their solo performance. The contestants’ performances were played live to NAMM-goers through KRK ROKIT G4 10-3 Studio Monitors and winners were chosen by a Gibson panel toward the end of each day. Word of the contest spread quickly as each daily winner took home a new pair of KRK’s ROKIT G4 RP5 White Noise Studio Monitors and KNS8400 Headphones.

Ikegami UHK-430 and HDK-99 cameras have been chosen for a recently completed 4K OB vehicle, designed and built by Milan-based broadcast system integrator Aret Video & Audio Engineering. The vehicle was commissioned in time to cover the Qatar National Day festivities celebrating the country's foundation in 1878.

"The Ikegami cameras were selected both for their high signal quality and for the proven excellence of Ikegami post-sale support," comments Aret's Vice President Alessandro Asti. "Eight UHK-430 models have been purchased plus two docking-style HDK-99. All 10 cameras can be tripod or pedestal mounted to achieve steady long-zoom closeup capture of fast-moving action while retaining the freedom to operate in free-style over-the-shoulder mode. The HDK-99 can be configured to feed directly from the camera control unit into any 4K periphery."

Ikegami’s Middle East office, located in Dubai, assisted in the customer’s decision-making by providing consultation support and product demonstrations.

Ikegami observers were present to offer assistance over multiple days during the ongoing festivities," adds Asim Saeed, Business Development Manager – Ikegami Middle East. All the equipment worked perfectly and the production went flawlessly.

During an extensive career mixing audio for live sports, Fred Aldous has earned over 20 Emmy awards and a spot in the Sports Broadcasting Hall of Fame. He currently works as a lead mixer and audio consultant for FOX Sports, managing live audio for a variety of broadcasts, including professional football and racing. Improving viewers’ sound experience over time has necessitated a shift to a Dante®-enabled digital workflow powered by products from Studio Technologies.

Mo-Sys Engineering, a global leader in real time camera tracking and remote systems, is proud to announce a collaboration with Panasonic. The AW-UE150 and the Mo-Sys StarTracker module will empower AR and virtual studio graphics by together creating engaging content with natural depth and changing the perspective of the virtual background.

Previously planned to launch at NAB, the webinars will be co-hosted by Panasonic and Mo-Sys and will showcase the new Panasonic AW-UE150 - a 4K, wide-angle lens, PTZ head with absolute camera tracking for AR and virtual studio application. With Mo-Sys StarTracker, the venue or event is no longer restricted to a fixed camera position and can be more creative using the PTZ head on a jib, crane or a dolly for unlimited camera motion.

Blackmagic Design today announced a new lower price for the popular Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 6K of US$1,995. This is a reduction of $500 which will help make this camera more affordable for users working on digital film as well as live production with the new ATEM Mini switchers. With the current demand for multi camera live streaming from home broadcast studios, the Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 6K makes a perfect studio camera when combined with the recent studio camera software update!

Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 6K is available immediately from Blackmagic Design resellers worldwide for US$1,995.

Kieran Phillips, Sales & Service Coordinator at CJP Broadcast, will be live broadcasting his sponsored head shave on Tuesday April 28th to support St Michael's Hospice in Hereford. This will be accessible at https://youtu.be/utwavyouVFs and shared across social media. Donations are invited via https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/kieran-phillips4.

"We know how important the services provided by St Michael's are," Kieran comments. "They include a wide range of nursing, social and spiritual care for home-based and hospice-based patients, guidance and counselling for families, and practical resources for healthcare professionals. The Covid-19 pandemic has reduced the level of financial support many important charities are receiving at a time when they need that income more than ever. This sponsored head shave is one way in which we can try to offset the impact of the virus. We will also be working in conjunction with Luke Sutton Productions to make a promotional video for St. Michael's."

"Organisations such as St Michael's Hospice that totally rely on donations and fundraising are desperately in need of support to be able to continue their incredible work throughout and beyond this awful crisis," adds CJP Broadcast's Managing Director Chris Phillips. "We hope that our small contribution raises awareness of the work these compassionate and caring healthcare professionals provide to people and their families.”