Part of a multi-year move towards AoIP operation of Malaysia’s radio station network, JAA Systems is to install 192 Calrec Type R mixer fader panels and 104 Type R cores at Government-owned broadcaster, RTM. To date, 75 Type R cores across nine regional radio stations are up and running, and 29 Type R cores in four further regional radio station networks will shortly be installed.

A comprehensive IP education initiative by JAA Systems along with the creation of a complete proof-of-concept, followed an initial IP project at the broadcaster’s PerlisFM regional network.

‘RTM was, of course, already aware that IP is the future, and could see how it works and the benefits it brings,’ says JAA Systems Director, David Chan. ‘RTM was very happy with the PerlisFM installation, both from an overall IP network and workflow perspective as well as the central role Calrec’s Type R plays.’

Following a rigorous open proposal tendering process, RTM awarded a contract for 12 further regional stations networks to Calrec and JAA Systems. Nine of these have already been installed, including PerlisFM, RTM Kedah and Penang; Sabah and Labuan; Pahang and Terengganu; Negeri Sembilan and Melaka. Systems at four regional stations, including RTM Keningau, RTM Sandakan and RTM Tawau, are currently being installed. Recently, Calrec also won the tender to upgrade RTM RAS Kelantan. When this installation is complete, Calrec and its partner will have upgraded approximately 60 per cent of RTM’s regional stations with Calrec Type R installations.

Chan explaines that there’s no fixed size and scale across the regional stations, so each installation had its specific requirements, with the number of studios varying – and therefore the number of Type R cores and fader panels also varying. In general, each main and backup on-air studio uses a 16-fader panel as well as a main core respectively. For the smaller setups, where there may be ingest studios alongside edit suites, 12-fader panels were installed. The project is AES67-based.

‘IP infrastructure provides a range of benefits which were recognised by RTM – scalability and flexibility when it comes to further technology purchase installation,’ Chan says. ‘Each set-up with RTM is, overall, very similar, meaning integration now and moving forwards is without any conversion technology or the need for additional interfaces. Then there’s the flexibility of AoIP workflows and the improved audio quality for listeners. It also increases productivity.’

The beginning of the project dovetailed with the onset of the pandemic, which led to a range of additional challenges to overcome. Travel was restricted and there were considerable supply chain issues across the world, with both of these scenarios requiring some lateral thinking to overcome.

‘The support across this huge project, from both us and Calrec, went above and beyond the norm,’ Chan says. ‘I have to say, Calrec was marvelous in terms of helping us and RTM right throughout the installation. The combination of both our efforts, alongside the team at RTM, really helped drive this deployment. We worked largely remotely, and this is where another benefit of IP technologies comes in – remote access to troubleshoot and resolve issues quickly. It has been a very successful installation.’

In addition, RTM has installed five Calrec Brio 36 consoles for capturing content in some of its studios. The overall project is now complete, with JAA Systems providing ongoing 24/7 support.

‘With FM radio so important across Malaysia, not only for entertainment but also for information dissemination – severe weather alerts, for example – helping RTM move to IP was very important for the future of radio across the country,’ says Calrec International Sales Manager at, Anthony Wilkins. ‘We have been hugely impressed with the technical expertise of JAA Systems, its determination and the sheer volume of work it achieved. We believe this acts as a powerful reference for other broadcasters across the region.’