After adding Dolby Atmos facilities in 2019, Dallas Audio Post (DAP) endured a harrowing year in 2020. ‘While 2020 was a really tough time, it also presented opportunities I’m really thankful for,’ says DAP owner/chief engineer, Roy Machado. ‘In some ways we were lucky, but we always stay prepared by implementing the latest and smartest technology, like upgrading to Dolby Atmos.’
This year, Machado and Control Room A engineer, René Coronado have worked to improve DAP’s capabilities once again. ‘It’s a great room,’ says Coronado. ‘It’s served us well on recent projects like 23-channel mixing for Time Warner’s AT&T Discovery District, an incredible modern public space in downtown Dallas. The execution of an entire sound design package for the national rollout of Bally’s Sports Network. In-arena and award-winning open-ice videos, plus TV and radio spots for the Dallas Stars. I also had great fun doing sound design, Foley and mixing for feature films.’
But as with all control rooms, the time came to give DAP’s main room a lift. ‘Over the course of a few weeks, Control Room A underwent a huge upgrade,’ Coronado says.
The room’s front LCR loudspeakers have been upgraded to Genelec’s flagship 1238A loudspeakers, which build upon the acoustic performance of the 1038s, and add onboard Smart Active Monitoring. In addition, the room’s C24 mixing console was replaced with a pair of Avid S1 slimline mixing surfaces.
‘The S1gives me direct and natural hands-on control of my go-to audio and video software,’ explains Coronado. ‘Also installed is an Avid Dock [formerly Pro Tools Dock] that provides intelligent studio control in a portable and ergonomic surface. ‘This upgrade moves Control Room A to the latest Avid EuCon automation and keeps it completely current to all of the latest workflows.’
‘Dante infrastructure is central to the routing philosophy and workflow at Dallas Audio Post,’ Machado says. ‘In keeping with this, we’ve also added dozens more channels of I/O over Dante via our newly installed Pro Tools MTRX interface, which gives us the superior sonic quality of Digital Audio Denmark’s legendary AD/DA converters, thus making Control Room A one of the most capable and flexible suites in our entire region.’
In addition, the upgrade includes DAD MOM Monitor Controller, Focusrite RedNet X2P Network Audio Interface, Netgear PoE+Ethernet switches for Dante connectivity and Avid EuCon connectivity. This is in line with the DAP philosophy to keep a vigilant eye on the latest technology that will allow the team here to continue to serve and expand its extensive clientele today and beyond.
More: www.dallasaudiopost.com
