Sep 18, 2005 8:00 AM, By Mix Editors

For its HD1, an expandable 24-camera truck, Paris-based broadcast company Visual 102 is reportedly the first OB operator in France to select the 52-fader Studer Vista 8 digital audio production mixer, which was supplied by Audiopole, (Other leading OB companies are already using Vista 6 and 7 models.) It was the obvious choice for a high-specification OBV that is aimed at the French events market, particularly theatre and music events, as well as large sporting occasions. The HD1 is the 12th and the largest vehicle to be commissioned by the Paris-based company, capable of working simultaneously in high definition and standard definition formats, and in all-digital audio formats.

Pierre Barbier, Visual 102’s audio manager, drew up HD1’s audio specification. One of the main factors to influence him, apart from Studer’s distinguished reputation, was the Vistonics™ operating system, which enables any engineer to become operational on the desk in a very short time. “Any newcomer, with a little help from a technical operator, can use the Vista 8, which is not the case with some of the other consoles we could have chosen,” says Barbier.

“The software is very intuitive and quick, and, after just four events, I’m already feeling very comfortable working with this desk,” says sound engineer Ludovic Riva, after operating a large-format digital console for the first time. “It will change the way I work, encouraging the use of the digital facilities like snapshots, but I think the Vista is just perfect for audio; it is the best desk for our job.”

HD1 made its debut on a high-profile live broadcast from L’Opera de Garnier, which made full use of the Vista 8’s 52-fader capability, and will be broadcasting World Cup 2006 from Germany. However, as Barbier explains, “On a big talk show with a minimum of 20 mics and VTR, sound FX, music and perhaps a live band, you can very quickly use up 40 faders. For the projects we intend to do with HD1, we needed at least 40 faders on direct access.”

For more information on the Vista 8, visit www.studer.ch.

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