MAKING SOUND SENSE
DIGITAL STUDIO’S JULY 2019 SPECIAL REPORT ON AUDIO CONSOLES DISCUSSES THE NEW PRODUCTS AND TECHNOLOGY TRENDS THAT ARE DRIVING BUSINESS IN THIS EVOLVING SECTOR
Audio is often regarded as the poorer cousin of video. But as broadcast quality has made the jump from HD to UHD to 8K, there is consumer expectation that the quality of audio keeps pace as well. Audio- overIP, used by radio stations so far, is now being adopted by broadcasters.
For broadcasters’ demand of high performance, versatility and interoperability with other devices, AoIP provides more flexible replacements and offers greater capacity, flexibility and multicast possibilities.
The transition to AoIP not only reduces costs for broadcasters but also enhances workflows. It’s been boosted by the wide acceptance of AES 67 standards which allow interoperability between different systems without sacrificing performance.
The cost of entry to networked audio (aka AoIP) has continued to decline, as our contributor Adrian Pennington points out, leading to its increased adaptation in the industry.
Today, AoIP can be seen across a wide range of products – from mixing consoles to processors to intercom. At this year’s NAB, Wheatstone – an early adopter of AoIP – unveiled a virtual TV audio console designed specifically to complement news production automation workflows.
Yet as Calrec product manager, Pete Walker says in our report - the change to IP won’t happen overnight. “Just as the change from analogue to digital took many years, this will too. For many broadcasters, hybrid systems consisting of AoIP and proprietary networks will become a stepping stone before total IP workflows take over.”