The 7,000-plus acre campus at Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia, has had a Riedel Artist ecosystem — including Artist digital intercom matrix, Bolero wireless intercom, and SmartPanels with multiple applications, such as the Audio Monitoring App (AMA) — installed by systems integrator, Digital Video Group (DVG).
‘In the past, intercom was merely a functional necessity in our industry,’ says Digital Video Group CEO, Alex Martin. ‘However, Riedel has managed to make intercom an exciting, innovative and essential component of Liberty University’s workflow. We are genuinely impressed by the company’s commitment to consistent technology research, design innovation, responsiveness, and collaboration.’
The comprehensive installation encompasses the Artist-1024 decentralised, scalable digital intercom network and a substantial number of 1200 Series SmartPanels including 71 RSP-1232HL panels and nine RSP-1216HL panels. Additional components such as the Audio Monitoring App (AMA), 90 Bolero beltpacks, 20 charger bays, and 30 Bolero antennae all contribute to a state-of-the-art communication network.
This extensive IP-based deployment not only enables the team to support scheduled events across campus while reducing maintenance time and costs, but also to cover more areas of the campus and to support ad hoc events as they pop up. For instance, the use of IP transport enables the team to essentially plug-and-play beltpacks and SmartPanels, which can feature multiple applications, anywhere on the campus network.
In addition, the SmartPanel Intercom App, Riedel’s Audio Monitoring App (AMA) enables operators to listen to multiple audio feeds simultaneously on the panel to quickly identify any issues.
All venue communications depend on Bolero beltpacks, which have enhanced the clarity of communications between sports and events staff, including timeout coordinators, A2, tech managers, stage managers, wireless camera operators, and engineers.
‘The audio is definitely crystal clear, like you’re standing next to somebody,’ says Liberty University Senior Remote Support Engineer, Louis James. This system supports a diverse range of productions at Liberty University, totalling around 180 sports broadcasts, 180 entertainment broadcasts, and approximately 1,700 campus events.’
‘My favourite thing about the AMA function is the ability to dim or duck channels in either direction, making audio monitoring more flexible and dynamic, and contributing to a more sophisticated and efficient workflow,’ adds the university’s Chief Technologist, Mike Gerringer,. ‘Riedel’s integration of this function is elegant and impressive.’
‘Users, both in and outside the broadcast team, are delighted with the SmartPanels and Bolero units,’ James continues. ‘The build quality, especially on the Bolero end, and the audio quality improvements, particularly in speaker mode on the key panels, are remarkable. Riedel’s innovative design, such as placing speaker ports on each side, ensures clarity and avoids the muffled sound experienced with other manufacturers. Bolero’s durability is evident, as we haven’t encountered any issues despite widespread use and varying levels of user experience.’
‘We are thrilled to collaborate with DVG and contribute to the success of the production and broadcasts at Liberty University,’ says Riedel Regional Sales Manager for the Mid-Atlantic, Dover Mundt. ‘The partnership with DVG has been exceptional, and we are excited to witness the impact our technology is having on Liberty University’s events.’
More: www.riedel.net
