Italy’s legendary state broadcaster Radio Televisione Italiana (RAI) has placed its first-ever order for Lawo consoles, ordering new-generation crystal systems for its newly-refurbished CCISS studio – Centro Coordinamento Informazioni Sicurezza Stradale (Coordination and Information Centre for Road Safety).

Building, programming and testing at the ‘new’ CCISS Studio at the RAI Production Centre in Saxa Rubra is nearing completion, and is expected to be online at the end of the year. CCISS was established by RAI to provide road and traffic reports live around the clock, producing output for ‘Onda Verde’ news bulletins that are taken live and broadcast over the RAI channels Radio1, Radio2 and Radio3.

The main contractor for this significant project is Grisby Music, Lawo’s distributor in Italy.  At the Broadcast Division of Grisby Music, chief designer and programmer, Luigi Locorotondo, says that, “RAI chose the Lawo crystal digital audio consoles when, for several reasons, they decided to upgrade their CCISS studio from analogue to digital. As well as making the studio ‘future proof’, the brief asked the new digital system to replicate exactly the main technical characteristics of the old analogue mixer, specifically the Communication Module, Monitor Module, and the Stereo and Telco Input Modules.“

“Additionally, it had to be flexible. It was essential not just to be able to customize the system from scratch to cover all the current requirements, but also to have an open architecture, which would allow for reprogramming at any time to correct errors or to add new functions.  On top of all this the equipment needed to be easy to learn and operate as we have a lot of operators covering shifts.”

Needing to remove much of their manual analogue patchbay operations, RAI replaced them with a digital virtual matrix, fully controlled by a graphical user interface (‘GUI’).  The installation comprised a Lawo crystal Base Unit with optional SDI interfaces and an 8-fader surface, plus a full rack mountable PC running VisTool Runtime and VisTool Edit for the RAI maintenance department, and a PC monitor.

Lawo crystal is delivered with a choice of ready-to-use configurations for standard applications, but can be programmed to handle unique configurations adapted to individual user workflows. Available with four to 16 faders, crystal also features an integrated matrix of up to 288 I/Os and intelligent networking with other consoles and matrices.

Locorotondo elaborates on some of the operational tasks. “An example of a specific automated function that the Lawo crystal can perform is when the CCISS studio receives the on-air ‘OK’ (GPI) signal from an external main studio to get updated traffic information. Many other customizations have been made with the creation of ad hoc circuits for logic control functions: for example, for a MultiFunction key dedicated to line check operations by using a toggle of a tone that is removed automatically when this line goes on air. Other tasks include talkback and pre-listening special functionalities on the main lines only normally possible when those lines are off-air.”

Commenting on the customized programming, he says, “One of three VisTool custom pages was created exactly as desired by the client. This specific GUI page does not route single sources. Depending on the signal request coming from the external destination, the operator can route an entire AUX mix or main PGM feed to some physical audio outputs, eventually feeding the outputs with a desired Clean Feed with just a click on the GUI.

Using a combination of programmable FPGA and Logic Elements present in the Lawo system, the programming level becomes very high. The system can be programmed by a certified / trained engineer, allowing the reduction of time dedicated to the project design and verification.”

Since placing the CCISS order, RAI has purchased two more crystal systems for their off-air studio (called ‘Off Tube’) and their “Studio Announcement” suite. The Off Tube studio deals mainly with re-voicing and re-recording pre-recorded material, usually sports: e.g. a soccer match recorded with an English commentary will be re-recorded in Italian. This facility can also go ‘live’ if necessary. Both these facilities are due to be online by the end of the year as well.

In conclusion, Locorotondo summed up the primary reasons for choosing Lawo. “RAI required a flexible, programmable, digital system with automated functions that could be fully controlled at the touch of a button via a GUI. The Lawo crystal, with VisTool Runtime and Edit, has proved to be the perfect solution.”

Lawo AG

Lawo, headquartered in Rastatt/Germany, specialises in developing, designing and manufacturing mixing consoles and matrix systems for radio and TV broadcasters, as well as for use in live events. Standards of high quality and innovative technology are supported by nearly forty years experience in the field of professional audio technology. Lawo’s product range covers digital audio mixing consoles for use in radio, broadcast, production and live applications, including the required software. In addition to the provision of matrix systems and audio networks, Lawo also carries out project engineering tasks and acts as a main contractor for radio OB trucks; these services include user training and maintenance. This high level of expertise results in a comprehensive support service for Lawo customers.

www.lawo.ca