Game Creek Video Taps Calrec for Audio Upgrades

Game Creek Video has purchased two digital audio desks from Calrec Audio, including a 96-fader Alpha along with a 64-fader Sigma into a new four-unit HD truck.

Fox Sports will use the multi-unit truck to cover NFL and NASCAR events, with the Alpha providing the main audio support for all coverage, and the Sigma being used on a support unit for the effects submix for NASCAR. The consoles will be required to handle more than 300 channels per event, including 160 stereo channels and about 150 other channels.

Both the Alpha and Sigma feature Calrec's new Bluefin high-density signal processing system, which doubles the processing power without increasing system size. With the Alpha, for example, Bluefin provides up to 480 mono-equivalent channels on just one DSP card, with full EQ and dynamics. It also allows for up to 78 full 5.1 surround-sound channels, Calrec said. System resilience is provided by 100 percent redundancy of all processing elements on a second card.

"We chose the Alpha and Sigma because of the amount of processing power they offer within the tight sizing requirements of a mobile production unit," said Pat Sullivan, president of Game Creek Video. "The Bluefin system provides more than double the processing power in less physical space."

Game Creek Video launched its new HD truck with the Calrec Alpha console and the Sigma earlier this month. The Hudson, N.H.-based company has purchased a total of nine Calrec consoles--three analog desks and six digital desks--for its fleet since 1996.