DHD SX2 audio production mixing consoles and an XC3 IP audio core have been selected by the Mauritius Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) for deployment at its headquarters in Moka, near the national capital, Port Louis, as well as on Rodrigues Island.

Moka, Mauritius, 10 April 2024

Project Description

MBC partnered with Eurocom Broadcast for the project after issuing an open call for tenders. Eurocom, based near Paris in Roissy-en-Brie, brings over twenty-five years of expertise in designing and supplying radio studio systems for broadcast channels and networks.

The MBC Radio project encompassed nine studios along with the master control room, overseen by Jesus Vazquez, Eurocom’s commercial director. A team led by Gary Hartard, consisting of five Eurocom technicians, managed the integration of the new systems at the Moka site before extending their work to Rodrigues Island. Audio engineer Paul Chevré handled the configuration of the MCR and the DHD mixers.

Among the studios, four are equipped for self-operation control, each accommodating four microphones (presenter and three guests). The largest studio can handle up to seven microphones (presenter and six guests) and is versatile for music performances. At the Moka site, there are four open-space studios and three studios with individual control rooms and guest suites. The Rodrigues facility comprises a live transmission studio with an additional studio serving as a backup and recording suite. Eurocom also facilitated a VPN connection to ensure efficient data synchronization between servers at both the Mauritius and Rodrigues Island sites.

“We chose DHD SX2 mixers for their ease of operation, physical robustness, versatile configurability and high signal quality,” comments Arvind Lobind, MBC technical manager. “They are also very space efficient which is an important factor in any broadcast control room or presentation suite. Each of the SX2 consoles is connected to a DHD XC3 IP core which performs the signal processing and Audio over IP interfacing. The system includes WinMedia automation and NeoGroupe NeoSIP telephone interview management software, both of which are compatible with DHD. The Eurocom team dismantled, re-equipped, tested and recommissioned each studio on an incremental basis before starting on the next. Eurocom also provided training to ensure that our operators, presenters and technical support staff were fully confident to work with the new system.”

About MBC Radio

Established in 1964, MBC Radio broadcasts in 12 languages, including English, French, Creole, and Hindi. Its network includes three FM channels (Best FM, Kool FM, and Taal FM) and two AM channels (Radio Maurice and Radio Mauritius), with online transmission also available. In 2005, MBC became the first public television broadcaster in Africa to launch digital terrestrial television channels. Since relocating to Moka in 2011, it has employed a team of 150 in administration, production, and technical support.

Technical description of DHD SX2

Designed for on-air radio and television studios, master control rooms, and OB vehicles, the DHD SX2 console features a four-fader central module with integral display screens for monitoring connectivity and signal levels. A microphone input, headphone output, and direct loudspeaker connection are included, with expandability via additional modules with six motorized faders each. The console incorporates 10.1-inch multi-touch displays for configuration and operational parameters, supporting functions like loudness metering and talkback to other DHD mixers.

The DHD XC3 IP core, tailored for on-air studios, consists of two dual-core DSP modules that combine into 1U. These modules support up to 48 stereo faders, 72 stereo buses, and 16 channels of AES67 IP audio, with expandability through IPx modules for AES67/Ravenna IP audio and Dante channels. The XC3 Concentrator facilitates easy interconnection of multiple DHD IPx modules, control surfaces, and I/O modules.

About Eurocom

Eurocom (https://www.eurocom.fr) has established itself over the years as a leader in broadcast solutions by collaborating with numerous radio stations of all sizes. Eurocom’s philosophy has always been to put the user experience at the centre of the project by designing technical solutions that adapt to the station and not the other way around. This philosophy makes it possible to create tailor-made studios, perfectly suited to each customer’s budgets and requirements. Eurocom also offers full post-sales support. Eurocom teams have also developed an automated video capture and streaming solution which is optimised for use by radio broadcasters.

About DHD audio GmbH

DHD audio GmbH (www.dhd-audio.com) develops and produces digital audio studio equipment and systems for professional applications in broadcast control rooms, DJ-operated radio studios, OB trucks, SNG vans, ingest stations and edit suites. DHD also produces routing and talkback matrices, audio-over-IP interfaces and supporting software. DHD devices can be operated directly or under IP networked control. Designed and manufactured in Germany, DHD products are used successfully by broadcasters around the globe.

News source – www.dhd-audio.com