NEP Australia, renowned for its extensive fleet of outside broadcast (OB) vans and custom studio productions, originally opened the Andrews Hubs in 2018. These facilities, built according to the ST 2110 standard, are recognized as some of the world’s largest networked remote production centers. They are seamlessly connected to 59 sports venues via a high-bandwidth network and support multiple concurrent outside broadcasts. At the core of this expansion is the installation of a Calrec 96-fader Argo Q console, now located in Australia’s largest remote production suite, ACR7. Two additional Argo S consoles have been placed in the newly established suites, ACR5 and ACR6. Notably, each control room is paired with one of NEP’s 2110 OB trucks, enabling remote control over the equipment in each truck.
Marc Segar, Director of Technology for NEP Australia, emphasized the significance of this technological upgrade, stating, “We’re very pleased to be the first in the world to utilize Calrec’s cutting-edge Argo consoles. The power and flexibility of these consoles greatly enhance our remote mixing capabilities, allowing us to expand further into the future. The consoles’ user-friendly interface is crucial in the fast-paced world of sports broadcasting. They seamlessly integrate with our existing Lawo technology, thanks to collaborative integration work. Furthermore, the Argo consoles seamlessly interact with our pre-existing NEP-developed control system, TFC, offering complete control over our workflow. This integration enables the Argos to control Lawo technology in each truck and vice versa, making our operations incredibly flexible and aligned with our vision.”
Calrec’s Argo consoles, introduced to the market at IBC 2022, represent a forward-looking approach to audio mixing. They exemplify Calrec’s commitment to innovation with native IP connectivity based on industry-wide standards, powerful DSPs, interchangeable panels, and configurable layouts.
Dave Letson, VP of Sales at Calrec, noted the increasing demand for enhanced IP capabilities in audio and highlighted the unique partnership with NEP Australia. He said, “This collaboration demonstrates how Argo is pushing the boundaries of IP technology, allowing for expanded IP workflows while maintaining user-friendliness. NEP is the first customer to leverage the ImPulse full control API. With this new setup, NEP can precisely orchestrate dynamic workflows where the Argos seamlessly integrate with every truck, and vice versa. The result is an unprecedented level of flexibility and a future of seamless collaboration.”
This expansion marks a significant step forward in NEP Australia’s remote production capabilities, ensuring the delivery of high-quality sports and entertainment content to audiences worldwide.
