Calrec Stars in HD Truck Makeover in New Orleans
12.01.2008
New Orleans-based YES Productions included a 56-fader Calrec Omega console with Bluefin processing in HD-2, its newly refurbished broadcast truck.
The truck debuted its HD life with the homw opener of the NBA’s New Orleans Hornets in November. HD-2 has been on the road supporting two or three shows a week since then.
"Calrec has earned its outstanding reputation by listening to audio engineers around the country and responding to their needs," said Jim Moriarty, vice president and general manager of YES Productions. "The Omega console is easy to operate and to get around. Setup times are fast, and the freelance operators are already familiar with it. At the same time, the Omega is sophisticated both in terms of features and power."
Calrec's Bluefin High Density Signal Processing (HDSP) enables 160 channel-processing paths on a single processing card. It also provides 8x5.1 surround, stereo, or mono audio groups, 20 auxiliary outputs (which can be 20 mono or 10 stereo), and 48 outputs for multitrack outputs. The console has two main stereo or 5.1 surround program outputs with full EQ and compressor/limiter facilities.
As of 2005, YES was operating two SD trucks. Hurricane Katrina flooded one, which the company replaced with a new HD truck. YES then upgraded its remaining truck—a 53-foot expando—using the Calrec console.
Beck Associates in Austin, Texas, did the outfit the truck in about four months.
Besides the NBA coverage, HD-2 is expected to produce sports in the Southeast including Louisiana State University football for Cox Sports and Professional Bull Riders for Versus.