Connecticut-based Ross Production Services (RPS) has purchased its fifth 96-channel Calrec Brio audio console in a move to standardise on Calrec technology.
The new Brio is installed in one of RPS’s six-camera OB sprinter vans, part of the division’s fleet of eight trucks. With this purchase, three of the trucks now have Calrec Brios, including its 12-camera 40ft units.
‘Our preference is, of course, to use Ross equipment first, and about 95 per cent of the gear in our trucks is Ross, but audio is the exception,’ says RPS Technology Manager, Matthew Webster. ‘We will be fully standardising on Calrec desks moving forward. There’s no question that Calrec is the industry standard for quality audio, and that’s something our team has been lacking for a long time.’
RPS opened a new studio facility in Connecticut with a 72-fader Calrec Apollo and two more Brio consoles in autumn 2021. This is now RPS’s main production hub and handles a variety of high-profile projects for customers in eSports, sports and live entertainment.
RPS is Ross Video’s in-house production services division, and the team produces between 150-200 events a year, including live sports and eSports. Alongside working for major US broadcast and cable networks, RPS managed the production of EA’s Madden NFL 21 Championship Series from its Connecticut base, putting the Brios and Apollo to use. It was completed during the pandemic and features four control rooms (A, B, C and D) with most of the work on the Madden project handled by Control Room A.
Webster says that the Calrec Apollo and Brio shone when used on EA’s Madden work because of their connectivity and how easily resources can be shared. When it comes to the Sprinter OB units, space was at a premium and the small form factor of the Brio is ideal. He also highlighted the remote training that Calrec provided as being highly beneficial and efficient.
‘We’re using Calrec’s Hydra2 network and the Madi interface for all of our connections. With Hydra2, our consoles can be connected to any studio at any time and any feed can be controlled by any desk. Each of our control rooms has its own dedicated router and each router sends its Madi to a single I/O box. The only reason we’re not doing AoIP right now is because we’re in a growth phase with Ross Production Services, and our Madi/Hydra2 set-up is a great ecosystem for us to be in at the moment. Our operators love it and it cuts down on busy work for them.’
‘Ross Production Services has established a powerful reputation with many high-profile clients with varying production requirements and it’s imperative that the company has market-leading audio across all output,’ says Calrec US National Technical Sales Manager, Rob Lewis. ‘It’s very rewarding to see our Brio and Apollo consoles being used to the fullest extent.’
More: www.rossps.com
