Getting information on the work being carried out on Thailand’s vast network of roads out to their users has seen the Thai Government Department of Rural Roads set up its own radio station – a move which also involves the first Studer OnAir 1500 mixing desk to be sold in the country

Initially being used for internal broadcasting, is now a full FM/AM broadcast channel, streaming digital information for the benefit of the general public. To help facilitate live broadcasts and flag up immediate alerts, Bangkok-based distributor 101 Technology (part of the Mahajak Group) has supplied the OnAir 1500. Meeting a tight budget, the desk, enables the station to handle live broadcasts and record live sessions, while operating as a dedicated production mixer.

101 Technology’s Wiboon Lertkultanon explains: ‘We put all the Studer OnAir 1500 launch information up online. The people involved in the radio station knew of Studer’s reputation and I was contacted immediately after they saw it on our website.’

The 12-fader desk is configured to support the versatile hybrid system for broadcast and production that the studio required. Integrated USB playback and record functions make the OnAir 1500 a comprehensive choice.

‘After initial concerns about the budget they found they could do everything they needed with the OnAir 1500 and still have funding remaining for room decoration,’ Lertkultanon says. ‘The fact that the desk could double as a production mixer was a bonus since they don’t have the budget to build another production studio yet.’

The compact form factor provided another reason for adopting this platform. Converted from a small meeting room, the studio measures 4m x 3m and can accommodate a host and two guests. ‘The idea of separating the surface from the DSP held the key to space saving. Also the ease of the flash drive plug-and-play is another highlight.’

Assigned to the faders are a host and two guest mics, a solid-state player, CD players, automatic playout, and two off-air feeds, a telephone hybrid and production workstation (plus GPIOs). The host microphone can also send out to record in the production workstation and the mixer takes the input from the production workstation back to the studio monitor.

The outputs feed internal broadcast; radio broadcast; internet radio streaming and a production workstation, which runs Adobe Audition, enabling it to record and edit files.

Now up and running, the station is performing a valuable public service – spreading information to road users and enabling them to plot alternative routes. Conversely, drivers are able to phone in live reports to the station, flagging up road blocks, accidents and hold-ups.

‘The Studer name sells itself for the ease of use, reliability and sound quality,’ Lertkultanon says. ‘But its legendary quality has never come in such a compact box as this before. This, coupled with the 101 Technology support team, means that the OnAir 1500 is in safe hands.’

One of the radio hosts adds: ‘The OnAir 1500 has met all expectations, showing that it can function as a production mixer within a tight budget, and the sound remains top quality, even when playing MP3 sound files.