NORTHRIDGE, CALIF.—TSL today announced the acquisition of JLCooper Electronics, a pioneer in professional control, automation, synchronization, and interfacing products.

The announcement was made after the death of founder Jim Cooper was announced on March 16. TSL says the acquisition “ensures continuity of service and support for its global customer base spanning live events, music, radio, pro-AV, and education markets.”

Cooper got his start at UCLA AND was also Chief Engineer at Oberheim Electronics before launching JL Cooper in 1979. He was also a former President of the MIDI Manufacturers Association.

Notable JL Cooper customers include Cirque du Soleil, NBA, Grand Ole Opry and global artists including Depeche Mode, Pearl Jam and Hans Zimmer, as well as a wide range of OEM clients that align with TSL’s strategic growth plans.

TSL says the move further expands its capabilities into adjacent markets while broadening its technology offering to its core broadcast customers.

“JLCooper’s range of interfaces will be great additions to TSL’s Hummingbird control ecosystem, giving creators, operators, and engineers expanded options and greater flexibility in how they connect and control systems within the latest software-defined, cloud, and hybrid workflows,” the company said in a statement. “The addition of MIDI control and communication solutions further enhances TSL's capabilities and broadens TSL’s industry reach into music and audio production, opening up the enormous breadth of devices compatible with the MIDI industry-standard, which Jim Cooper himself helped to create and establish.”

Following the acquisition, TSL will move JLCooper’s production operations from El Segundo, CA to its base in Northridge, CA after which TSL will commence production and shipping of JLCooper solutions.

“With the sad news of Jim Cooper’s passing, it was important to find a way to secure the future for JLCooper’s revered technology, while ensuring continuity for its customers and we’re glad we’ve been able to move so quickly to achieve this,” said Matthew Quade, CEO, TSL. “Bringing its solutions into the TSL Hummingbird ecosystem, which already combines and has expanded the much-loved Tallyman and DNF Controls capabilities, will only enhance the flexibility and choice available to our customers, while broadening the markets that Hummingbird can support.”

“We were all terribly shocked and saddened by Jim’s passing, and have been working round the clock to find a way forward for his business that would ensure his legacy continues and maintains support for the users that have grown to love JLCooper solutions for the past 46 years,” said Chuck Thompson, General Manager, JLCooper Electronics. “I’ve been delighted by how TSL has been able to provide a route forward in a short timescale, and the professional understanding and support the TSL team has shown. I can’t imagine a better home for the brand and products and look forward to working with TSL on providing customers with enhanced options for their future workflows.”

LOS ANGELES—Gary Heelas has joined TSL as principal engineer in the company’s U.S. office, the company announced. 

With more than 30 years of experience in electronics design, Heelas joins TSL after working for Evertz and PerkinElmer where he led significant projects, it said.

At PerkinElmer, Heelas was responsible for the electronics and firmware teams, focusing on the development of advanced infrared and ultraviolet spectrometers and thermal analysis instruments, the company said.

At Evertz, he introduced high-definition video technologies to the company’s product line, it said.

Heelas will reinforce TSL’s commitment to robust engineering that pushes the boundaries of technology and work to ensure its design and manufacturing processes exceed the contemporary demands of the global market for high adaptability and interoperability between hardware and software, the company said.

More information is available on the company’s website.

MARLOW, U.K.—TSL will introduce its new MPA1-MIX-NET-V-R, a fully redundant 1U audio confidence monitor and mixer with 16 instantly recallable independent mixes, during IBC2023, Sept. 15-18, at RAI Amsterdam.

TSL engineered the MPA1-MIX-NET-V-R in accordance with key industry standards, including SMPTE ST 2022-7, to ensure fully optimized network topologies that reduce user risk and network complexity without limiting operational agility, the company said. 

The latest MPA1-MIX-NET innovation safeguards against disruptions and system failures, empowering broadcasters to deliver top-tier, uninterrupted broadcasting experiences.

“It is increasingly clear that IP is the future, and to get there, we have to build products that provide a bridge to the new IP paradigm with familiar workflows and monitoring tools, but which will also be completely at home in an all-IP world,” said TSL president Ian Godfrey. 

“Combined with TSL's cutting-edge redundancy capabilities, customers can meet specific challenges head-on cost-effectively. It’s a customer-centric approach that caters to unique scenarios by providing an unmatched IP solution that ensures continuous audio monitoring 

The MPA1-MIX-NET-V-R is well-suited for ST 2110 trucks and installations. Two 1G AoIP connections provide 64 channels of input, with a further 64 available via an optional MADI SFP. Support for in-band NMOS is built-in for integration with TSL control and leading third-party systems, the company said.

The unit offers:

• 64 channels and an optional MADI input provides a further 64 channels, with an intuitive interface and easy-to-use controls.
• A simple and intuitive way to monitor multiple audio sources by using its eight dedicated rotary controls.
• Provides full integration with today's broadcast IP networks. 
• Offers a comprehensive webpage and SNMP support, allowing remote configuration and control.

See TSL at IBC2023 Stand 10.B4.

More information is available on the company’s website. 

Audio monitoring has, as would be expected, changed dramatically since the days of mono sound and peak program and volume unit meters (PPM/VU), but development is now continuing at a rapid rate. Manufacturers have responded to how the broadcast market has broadened, with streaming and distribution to multiple platforms and devices bringing a whole new set of parameters to be monitored.

These include the various forms of multichannel audio—surround or, increasingly, immersive sound being the most obvious forms but with alternative languages and commentaries plus audio description now ever more important—along with audio over IP (AoIP) formats. 

Monitoring Interactions 
The evolution of monitoring equipment from the days when basic faults were the main target to today’s much broader and involved requirements are summed up by Don Kianian, solutions marketing manager at Telestream.

“Historically, the traditional requirements for audio monitors have involved monitoring the audio level, comparing the phase between channels, and looking for errors such as clipping, overdubbing, mutes and the like,” he says. “However, additional demands are emerging. The increase in the prevalence of multichannel audio—such as 5.1 and 7.1, immersive audio like 5.1.4 or 7.1.4 and multilanguage tracks—means that it is no longer enough just to monitor the stereo signal; monitoring the interactions between all channels is just as, if not more, important.”

As a consequence, Kianian explains, modern techniques are necessary to replace the venerable Lissajous curve displays on oscilloscopes. 

“New tools are needed to help simplify and visualize the interaction of multichannel audio, like using surround sound displays that can assist in mastering the mix,” he says. “As more multiformat systems and workflows are used across the broadcasting industry, there is a growing need for audio monitors to accommodate new systems and formats. For example, our PRISM waveform display can support both SDI embedded and IP audio monitoring, while the Inspect2110 provides audio level and loudness monitoring across multiple streams in an IP network.”

Controlling Loudness
Loudness continues to be a critical area that needs to be checked and controlled, particularly with the risk of fines if broadcasters do not conform to standards such as ITU BS 1770, ATSC A/85 or EBU R128. Makarand Karanjkar, CEO/CTO of Wohler, describes audio monitoring of all signals and streams as “a critical function” in broadcasting today.

“From a signal perspective, customers are looking to monitor IP-based audio formats like Dante and RAVENNA, plus signals in the AES67 interoperability standard, as well as SMPTE ST 2110 and ST 2022-6/7 for video, over and above existing baseband signals like SDI, AES, MADI and analog,” Karanjkar said.

While AoIP would appear to be in the ascendancy, Wohler acknowledged the continuing need for baseband monitoring in July with the launch of three new hardware units (the eight-channel eAMP1-S8-MDA, 16-channel eAMP1-S16-MDA and eight-channel analog/AES-only eAMP1-S8-DA). 

Even so, Karanjkar agrees that the software monitoring of more elaborate formats is now a priority for many users.

“In terms of software functions, customers are looking for features like loudness, easy configurability for IP monitoring and overall ease of use,” he says. “Given the perpetual evolution in requirements, customers value the ability to upgrade functionality over time via software updates. More sophisticated immersive sound formats like Dolby Atmos and MPEG-H are continuing to enter the mainstream and impose their own monitoring requirements.”

Hardware Still Matters
The introduction of immersive audio formats, such as Dolby Atmos and MPEG-H 3D Audio, for broadcast and streaming has, as Freddy Vinehill-Cliffe, audio product specialist at NUGEN Audio, observes, increased the need to monitor multiple feeds. 

“Our users need to be able to monitor a wide variety of channel counts, not just stereo,” he says. “That could mean checking phase relationships, ensuring a mix translates on various formats or something else. Another major concern at the moment is dialog intelligibility; audio mixers need tools that not only measure program loudness but also specifically dialog loudness and dialog LRA [loudness range].”

Like other audio monitoring system developers, NUGEN Audio offers software-only systems but recognizes the benefits of dedicated physical units in certain scenarios. 

“There is no denying the convenience of software,” comments Vinehill-Cliffe. “Developments like the ReMEM history function in our VisLM software speed up the day-to-day workflows. However, there is certainly something to be said for the robustness and reliability of hardware, too. For example, a hardware meter won’t suddenly become incompatible with the rest of your set-up due to an operating system update, though NUGEN Audio’s team of engineers regularly monitor for these changes.”

At TSL Products, audio product manager Steve Cole concurs that there is “still a significant place” for standalone hardware in broadcast right now. “It handles a wide variety of input sources, provides dedicated monitoring capabilities, tactile controls, and reliable performance without relying on the resources of a general-purpose computer or network infrastructure,” he said.

But there is also a growing trend towards software-based solutions and the integration of audio monitoring functionalities within other applications, according to Cole. 

“Many broadcasters are also looking to develop hybrid environments where their hardware can link seamlessly with all the other hardware and software they use or might need to use in the future,” he said.

The Impact of Remote Production
The last decade has seen an increase in not only networked systems—both within a broadcast center or between different facilities, either in the same area or at more distant locations. As Cole observes, remote production and, as a consequence of the pandemic, remote working, now mean audio monitoring systems need to offer new features to cope with sources from many different places. 

“We have responded to these demands by incorporating ST 2110 and ST 2022 IP media support, remote access for unit configuration and control, support for remote monitoring via LiveView web page and integration with control solutions for remote production workflows into our MPA1 range,” he says. “These features enable broadcasters to monitor audio signals from anywhere, collaborate remotely and streamline their operations in the evolving broadcast landscape.”

As broadcasting continues to evolve, audio looks set to become an even more important and complex part of the overall set-up. Which means that audio monitoring systems, whether hardware or software, will play an ever more crucial role in ensuring not only good sound quality but also that all the different elements are in place for multichannel services. 

This article was updated Aug. 17, 2023.

TSL will showcase new control and audio monitoring solutions combine conventional and IP audio infrastructures while reducing complexity and cost at its booth at the 2023 NAB Show, April 15-19 in Las Vegas.

Debuting at the show is X-Connect, TSL’s new IP routing control system, which the company says is effectively a virtual router built on industry-standard hardware and protocols. Perfect for incremental upgrades, X-Connect uses vendor-agnostic NMOS, making it compatible across a wide range of existing devices—including TSL’s own Virtual Panels, for a totally-customizable installation.

Distributed and remote production are now commonplace alongside conventional production workflows. With audio sources arriving over an increasingly diverse range of sources, flexible and accurate confidence monitoring has never been more essential. TSL’s new MPA1-MIX-NET has a clear and easily understood control panel and a wide range of input formats, including ST2110-30, RAVENNA and AES67. A 1G AoIP connection provides up to 64 channels, with an additional 64 channels of MADI as an option.

“Our priority at TSL is to provide an affordable, scalable and sustainable approach to future workflows,” said Ian Godfrey, President of TSL. “We make IP and traditional technologies work together, employing modern techniques to maximise productivity and reduce complexity for operators.”

TSL will be in Booth C2416.

MARLOW, U.K.—TSL has announced that it is working to help broadcasters migrate to IP infrastructures by launching the MPA1-MIX-NET. Building on the success of its MPA1-MIX family of monitor devices, the MIX-NET extends functionality to ST 2110 AoIP networks.

The intuitive 1U monitor unit provides 64 channels through a 1G AoIP connection, and a further 64 x MADI channels with an optional MADI SFP to provide user access to a maximum of 128 inputs, TSL reported. 

The unit also has native support for NMOS IS-04 and IS-05. Featuring eight dedicated rotary controls to create a monitor mix of up to eight mono or stereo sources, operators can bank up to 16 independent mixes which can be recalled with a user-friendly 'scroll to select' function.

Like previous MPA1 units, development of the MPA1-MIX-NET was driven by changing market requirements, TSL explained. Designed in collaboration with global production giants NEP, the units are lined up for installation in its upcoming roster of ST 2110-compliant trucks and studio installations.

“Operator feedback for our MPA1-MIX MADI and Dante units has always been super positive,” says Joe Signorino, vice president of systems design and integration for NEP’s U.S. Broadcast Services Team. “The control layout is user-friendly with plenty of room to access individual controls, it can be operated without having to look directly at it and basic operations do not require button pushes or menu navigation. We just wanted the same functionality in an ST 2110 environment.”

“TSL has always listened to the market and is always responsive to it; they understood what we were striving to achieve straight away, and the development of the MPA1-MIX-NET has enabled us to provide our clients with the same flexible and reliable monitoring they already know and love,” he added. 

Designed for a variety of operational positions, MPA1-MIX models make it easy to create a variety of custom mixes. With no complex menu structures to navigate and key information such as gain, metering and source labels clearly displayed on its integrated colour screen, thousands of broadcast professionals use them every single day, TSL said. 

The introduction of the MPA1-MIX-NET extends TSL’s MPA1 range to six user-friendly MIX units and six SOLO variants for very simple audio monitoring. All are 1U high and have a compact unit depth of 100mm, while a fanless design makes them suitable for installation in all locations.

In addition, with distributed and remote production models becoming more established as broadcast workflows, the MPA1-MIX-NET features comprehensive web and SNMP support. Its built-in web server and integrated Ethernet connection are designed to enable remote configuration and operation of networked units via a web browser, whilst SNMP integration enables a broadcast control system to automate configuration changes, TSL reported. 

“The broadcast environment is constantly evolving and the expansion of the MPA1 family gives broadcasters the opportunity to choose the interface that best suits their needs,” says TSL’s products and technology director, Mark Davies.  “The range offers support for ST 2110, 3G/HD/SD-SDI, Dante, MADI, AES and analogue interfaces, in both solo and mix versions. As manufacturers it’s our job to stay connected with our customers and ensure we support them as their workflows continue to change, with no compromise in performance.”

AMSTERDAM—As using COTS equipment to route IP media continues to gain momentum as the standard in the broadcast market, TSL has launched X-Connect, an easy-to-use and cost-efficient IP routing software and hardware solution, at IBC2022.

X-Connect includes a control layer, a user interface and also a control processor to make IP routing more accessible to the industry as it transitions to an IP workflow. To showcase the technology, TSL will have the new X-Connect set-up with hardware devices from several leading industry manufacturers at its stand (Stand 10.B41) during IBC2022 between Sept. 9 to 12. 

X-Connect is a control layer that ensures all the individual pieces of a broadcaster’s audio and video kit can easily be found, launched and managed across a network that is utilizing IP media routing. The simple-to-use software can be added into any existing infrastructure as it utilizes NMOS and is vendor agnostic, making it compatible with virtually all media devices, the company said.  

X-Connect marries TSL’s virtual control processor, the GTP-V1, which creates a virtual router and enables it to be connected to a control layer, such as TSL’s TallyMan. It can then be managed by the user through TSL’s renowned Virtual Panels or a range of hardware control panels, for a simplified, easy-to-use solution for IP media routing.

From an operator and engineering point of view, X-Connect resembles the workflow of the more common baseband router, but instead it uses IP technology. This provides a great benefit to those that have not yet been fully trained using IP routing or are in the early stages of deploying a fully IP-workflow, the company said. 

“As the transition to IP gains pace, it is important that customers at all levels, including small to large broadcasters, have the options to choose open, cost-effective solutions that allow them to leverage the benefits of IP and COTS equipment without having to commit to the costs associated with a full infrastructure overhaul,” says Tom Pollard, control product manager, TSL. “X-Connect also allows a broadcaster to scale the system, when ready, providing a quality solution for now and into the future.”

With the ability to add X-Connect to its pre-existing hardware media devices, it is vendor agnostic, NMOS and cost-effective. Customers both in broadcast and beyond, including a multitude of AV applications such as corporate, HoW and sports environments can benefit from improved communication and faster content distribution among its infrastructure.

TSL’s X-Connect IP Routing solution is scheduled to be available by the end of the year.

MARLOW, U.K.—U.K. pro audio specialist TSL has announced the appointment of Matthew Quade as its new CEO. Chris Exelby, who has lead the company as Managing Director since 2007, will remain on the company’s Board of Directors as Executive Chairman and will continue to work with TSL in a senior advisory role.

Quade steps into his new position after working with TSL on a project basis for over six years, including leading implementation of the company’s M&A strategy. More recently, he held the role of COO and is already a well-respected and valued member of the TSL team, the company said. Over the last six months, the TSL Board and Quade have been working on the transition into the new role, and he will focus on continuing the brand’s tradition of developing innovative broadcast solutions across its three market sectors of Audio, Control and Power as well as exploring new areas for further growth and development.

“With getting to know the TSL team and the broadcast industry over the last few years, the opportunity to lead the business through its next ambitious phase of growth and technology development was a hugely attractive proposition,” says Quade. “With TSL remaining profitable throughout COVID, already bouncing back to pre-COVID levels of revenue and knowing the ambitious plans for growth that are already well underway, I am delighted to have been offered this opportunity. I look forward to working with Chris and the rest of the team to lead TSL into this next exciting new chapter.”

Quade joins TSL with 15 years of leadership experience from a variety of industries and holds professional qualifications in accounting, law, business management and Lean Six Sigma. He is also a Certified Turnaround Professional having developed a particular focus on transformation and business improvement for high growth businesses. Having built and run his own successful business, Matthew has held COO and CRO positions in a variety of service-based and manufacturing businesses and brings a wealth of global experience to strengthen the TSL leadership team.

“After spending several years alongside a great team at TSL, building the business and creating the exceptional products the brand is known for, I’m pleased to hand over the day-to-day management to Matthew,” says Chris Exelby, Managing Director at TSL Products. “He has played an integral role in the business planning and goals at TSL for many years and I am confident his leadership will support the company’s growth. I look forward to continuing my involvement in TSL and its future success.”

ALEXANDRIA, Va.—Some of us can remember when audio was regarded merely “as the poor step-child of video.” There was but a single channel to look after, and it passed muster if it met the aural equivalent of “it looks good leaving here” and the transmitter operator didn’t complain about carrier over-deviation. 

But that was then, and this is now. Television audio in the 21st century is anything but a simple “step-child” that doesn’t need to be watched that closely. 

Multiple Formats
Start with the increasing plethora of formats, according to Mike Waidson, application engineer at Telestream.

“Gone are the simple days of analog audio—we must now deal with digital PCM with one-to-many channels,” Waidson said. “These audio channels are distributed in multiple ways. Sometimes the audio is embedded in SDI. But it is now also carried as an audio stream in IP. To further complicate matters, the carriage in multiple file formats, whether uncompressed or compressed, is a common occurrence.” 

Berny Carpenter, audio product manager at TSL, agrees. “With the evolution of audio delivery formats, we have seen audio channel counts gradually increasing, particularly for marquee content, such as high-profile sports events,” he said. “What was stereo became 5.1, and now we’re seeing the next generation of audio delivery formats for broadcast which cater to immersive and personalized audio, including Dolby Atmos and Fraunhofer’s MPEG-H. 

“The signal formats used in productions have gradually changed too,” he added. “Within the last two decades, SDI has gone from 1.5G (HD-SDI) to 3G, and now 12G is becoming more and more common.”

Like so many media tech solutions these days, “one size does not fit all” anymore, according to Freddy Vinehill-Cliffe, Nugen Audio product specialist.“People are consuming content in such a wide variety of environments, on such a wide variety of equipment, so in my opinion our biggest challenge is making sure the audio always translates. You want the dialog to be intelligible regardless of whether someone is watching on their laptop on a train using inexpensive earbuds, or watching in a home cinema with a finely tuned 7.1.4 setup.” 

Meeting the Challenges
A common denominator in designing today’s professional audio monitoring gear for television is flexibility—the ability to expand or otherwise change monitoring capabilities as operations grow and requirements are added. Capability for updating existing capabilities or for unlocking initially unneeded features is also a big plus.

“Being able to future-proof an investment is obviously appealing for broadcasters, enabling them to reduce CAPEX and add capabilities to a product only if it is required at a later date,” said TSL’s Carpenter. “TSL’s audio monitors include connectivity options and software features as upgradeable items. The PAM-IP supports upgrades for both ST 2110 and Dante IP connectivity, whilst our SAM-Q range offers optional MADI connectivity and loudness functionality. All of these can be purchased with the unit, or retrospectively applied.”

Larry Schindel, senior product manager of TV Solutions at the Telos Alliance, is also an advocate of upgrading via software changes.  

“Unless a monitoring unit is a basic stereo, analog, ‘speaker in a box’ type of unit, the modern monitoring devices are digital, sometimes even being a ‘PC in a box,’” Schindel said. “The nature of these digital devices today is that they are meant to be updated as new features are developed. All Telos Alliance units are designed to be updated as new software-based features are added and become available.”

Nugen’s Vinehill-Cliffe observed that product “agility” is not the only benefit derived with software-driven monitoring.

“The ability to work faster than real-time with software tools, Nugen’s VisLM or LM-Correct, for example, is also a major advantage,” Vinehall-Cliffe said.

“As it stands, our full Loudness Toolkit bundle already supports 7.1.2 audio, and this is also true of Halo Vision. Anyone who owns VisLM, LM-Correct or ISL v2.0 and above can already upgrade to v2.9 for free. Many of our updates are free, and even when issuing a paid update we offer discounted upgrade paths for existing owners.”

In addition to monitor future-proofing, Wohler CEO Makarand Karanjkar described another “plus” that can come with software architecture: increased functionality within a single “box,” something that’s especially welcome in crowded racks found in smaller control rooms and production vehicles.

 “The rapid evolution of signal types, whether Dante, Ravenna, ST2110, ST2022-7 or Dolby ATMOS, coupled with various mezzanine compression formats like JPEG2K for backhauls, or HEVC for distribution, is driving the need for multifunctional hardware, with software that can upgraded to meet evolving needs,” he said. 

And the Beat Goes On…
As ATSC 3.0 broadcasting continues to roll out, it brings with it additional requirements, even one for which a standard has yet to be developed. “We anticipate the need to support multiple audio codecs for ASTC 3.0, and our iVAM series of products are well equipped to support emerging technologies like Dolby AC4 in the future,” said Wohler’s Karanjkar 

“With the additional height channels and personalization objects in next-generation audio formats there is more to measure than ever before.” said TSL’s Carpenter. “As an example of how TSL can help broadcasters with this requirement, the SAM-Q range allows for up to eight simultaneous programs [each up to 9.1.4] to have loudness measured, logged and a downmix can be monitored through the unit itself.” 

Telos Alliance’s Schindel notes that for broadcasters moving to ATSC 3.0, audio monitoring specifically for the advanced broadcast format may not be necessary.

“Most broadcasters who are launching ATSC 3.0 services today are doing a simple simulcast of what’s on their ATSC 1 service, so other than wanting a monitor which can decode Dolby AC-4… there isn’t much new that they need, yet,” he said. “Dialog Enhancement is an inherent part of Dolby AC-4, so really any AC-4 decoder should be capable of supporting this function, but looking forward, broadcasters will want monitors that support Dolby Atmos and personalized audio which ATSC 3.0 is capable of supporting.”

“The challenge for the broadcaster is to deal with another compressed audio format, AC-4,” said Telestream’s Waidson. “While this offers…the ability to carry multiple streams with more audio channels, it requires equipment to support these formats.”

Nugen’s Vinehill-Cliffe noted that some of this equipment has yet to be developed.

“It’s great that the ATSC 3.0 spec includes support for object-based audio,” he said. “But currently there is no standard for calculating or measuring the loudness of object-based audio, which poses a problem. Once a loudness standard has been developed… broadcasters will need monitoring tools which can support the new standard. This is something which we at Nugen are looking towards tackling.” 

Television audio monitoring has certainly come a long way from one simple VU meter. Perhaps it’s fitting to resurrect an old saying and add a corollary:

“There’s no rest for the weary—particularly if you’re an audio monitor designer.”

LAS VEGAS—Audio monitoring systems provider TSL will debut SAM-Q-NET and SAM-Q-EDIT as part of its SAM-Q Audio Monitor product line at the 2022 NAB Show, April 23-27. These latest updates introduce TSL’s SAM-Q advanced audio monitoring capabilities to an IP networked world, with support for ST 2110-30, ST 2022-7 and multiple control options including NMOS. On-board redundant 1G Ethernet connectivity vastly reduces the cost of deployment for audio monitoring where a 10G connection isn’t required.

As audio monitoring moves further towards networked and next-generation platforms and experiences for viewers, the lines are blurring between traditional I/O-led boxes and software-focused solutions. The SAM-Q audio monitor from TSL is unique in its ability to allow users to tailor their operation to different environments. Supporting several operational modes, which can be enabled and disabled as required, the SAM-Q is equally at home in operational positions in studio facilities, OB trucks, master control positions and playout facilities. With the range of modes available, it can be configured to meet the usage requirements and skill level of its location, before menu access is locked down to ensure that the configuration isn’t unintentionally changed.

Since control is a key consideration when it comes to broadcast IP installations, TSL has equipped SAM-Q-NET with both in-band and out-of-band control options, including NMOS support and a TSL RESTful API, with more planned for the future, the company said. 

“SAM-Q-NET brings the benefits of the SAM-Q platform to broadcast IP networks, allowing our customers to benefit from the unique mode configuration available on the SAM-Q whilst benefiting from native IP integration, including both audio and control,” says Berny Carpenter, Audio Products Manager at TSL. “Adding IP connectivity to the SAM-Q family means that we now have IP connectivity available across our complete range of audio monitoring units, from the top-of-the-range PAMs to the simple to use MPA range.”

SAM-Q-NET will also offer MADI and loudness software options, which are available as part of the SAM-Q platform, allowing users to add functionality or repurpose the units as and when those features are needed. With a software-driven platform, TSL can provide regular updates, adding functionality to the unit over time to meet ever-changing user needs. 

TSL’s new SAM-Q-EDIT is an offline editing tool that allows systems’ designers and engineers to build configurations, apply modes, map sources and loudness probes, enter source names and control front panel interface settings while on the move. It streamlines operations as configurations are ready to load upon arrival at an event, reducing set up time and removing the need to build configurations through the front panel menus. Also, with a visual display of all unit parameters, users can easily view and edit configuration files created on a SAM-Q audio monitor, as well as view a readout of SAM-Q unit information for imported files. 

TSL will be in Booth C5420. For more information about the 2022 NAB Show, April 23-27, visit nabshow.com/2022

NORTHRIDGE, Calif.—Game Creek Video has integrated the TSL Products MPA1-MIX-DANTE audio monitoring solution into its GCV Anywhere remote OB truck interface, TSL announced today.

“TSL audio monitors are reliable and sound great. TSL offers both analog and digital connectivity options,” said James Piccirillo, broadcast network systems manager at Game Creek Video. “We love how we can monitor up to 128 audio channels if necessary, and it’s easy to use and interface with. All of the sources can be customized, making it a flexible and intuitive solution for anyone using it.”

The GCV Anywhere remote kits, developed during the height of the pandemic, allow production teams to produce and control live broadcasts while off-site to promote the safety of production teams.

The TSL Products MPA1-MIX-DANTE is designed for outside broadcast or headend use where fast audio QC of multiple sources is required. With the unit, custom mixes can be created on the fly using independent source gain encoders from any combination of the 64 Dante/AES67 and 64 MADI sources available, the company said.

The monitor includes a source label and a monitor mix label display so operators can access and monitor audio sources as well as accurate peak metering, it said.

All of the user features of the TSL MPA1-MIX-DANTE are accessible via a web UI with a built-in web server designed to enable remote configuration and monitoring of networked units, making it a versatile solution for any remote setup, the company said.

The monitoring solution offers an easily accessible front panel display, which includes pan/balance information and efficient audio monitoring of up to eight unique audio sources. Source labels can be automatically read from the Dante network or manually entered using the web UI. 

The MPA1-MIX-DANTE includes a high-quality internal full range loudspeaker system, a 1RU lightweight case that is 100mm deep and SNMP support, it said.

More information is available on the TSL Products website.  

NORTHRIDGE, Calif.—TSL Products is tapping Tom Dickinson as the new president of its U.S.-based operations. Dickinson will now be responsible for managing and developing TSL’s U.S.-based development, sales and support, as well as serving as a senior member of the company’s management team across both the U.S. and U.K.

TSL says that since its acquisition of DNF Controls in April 2019, the combined sales now require a local and “always present” leader in its Northridge, Calif., office, the North American headquarters for the company. Dickinson will take on that role.

Dickinson comes to TSL after 39 years of leadership positions in sales, operations and engineering at Bexel, a TSL partner company.

“The Northridge facility now supports TSL Products’ growing portfolio, and I am excited to be a part of its expansion,” said Dickinson. “I look forward to further opening doors for all of TSL’s product offerings to customers based in North America and Canada.”

Dickinson will assume leadership from DNF founder Dan Fogel, who TSL says is stepping back into a part-time consulting role for U.S. customers.

For more information, visit www.tslproducts.com.  

LAS VEGAS—TSL Products will introduce its MPA product range to the North American market at the 2016 NAB Show. With support for Dante and Ravenna, MPA products are well suited to established I/O—such as MADI, SDI, AES-3 and analogue—while embracing the rapid migration to audio over IP workflows.

MPA products are available in two models: Solo, which lets users listen to any channel; and Mix, which enables the creation of a simple monitoring mix. The shallow unit depth of 100mm makes them ideal for broadcast trucks, and all units can be configured, monitored and controlled remotely via an intuitive web interface.

With its intuitive, user-customizable interface, TSL’s new Tallyman Virtual Panel control system coordinates critical TV facility infrastructure components to ensure that creative teams, talent and camera operators are aware of relevant systems at pertinent times during production.

TSL’s Soundfield DSF digital broadcast surround sound microphones, Precision Audio Monitor (PAM) series of multi-channel audio monitoring products, and IDS display and communication solutions will also be on display. TSL also expects to unveil a new VoIP product closer to NAB.

The 2016 NAB Show takes place in Las Vegas, April 18-21. TSL Productswill be in booth N5112. For more information, visit www.nabshow.com.

Roger Henderson

MARLOW, ENGLAND – Integrated broadcast systems developer TSL Systems has announced that Roger Henderson will take over the role of Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately.

Henderson most recently served as managing director for Carlec Audio for six years. At the same time, the 30-year industry veteran served as chairman/director at Trilogy Communications. He also previously was CEO and President of Chyron Corporation and managing director for Ascent Media Network Operations and Pro-Bel.

Henderson replaces David Phillips as CEO. 

TSL Systems is located in Marlow, England.