KBS Kyoto install two networked Lawo consoles.

Japanese radio station with customized on-air mc²66.

When KBS Radio in Kyoto decided to go digital when upgrading two of their studios, they were set on the idea of shared use of networked studios. This private, regional, Japanese radio station comprises seven studios, including the 43m² Studio 1 and the 70m² Studio 2, both of which have been refurbished with two new digital mixing consoles.

They chose Lawo mc²66 consoles for the ease with which they could implement their networking concept. Whereas the on-air Studio 1 is designed conventionally, with a studio and a separate, isolated, mixing console area, Studio 2 combines these two areas, with the console sited in the studio area. This arrangement is made possible because the DSP cores for both mc²66 are located in a separate equipment room. In Studio 2, which is mostly used for live programmes, the communication between station staff and studio guests brings a distinctly live feel to the programmes, and enhances audience participation.

The clever part of this installation is that both 24+8 fader consoles have access to all available signals via their HD cores, which provide copious DSP power plus a 3000–crosspoint router. This setup enables the coordinated output of live programmes that was simply not possible before. In addition, Studio 2 can be used for live recordings produced on the networked mc²66 in Studio 1’s control room. Both mc²66 consoles have customized facilities for both on-air and recording operations, for example, two-way control of external equipment, and user-defined buttons that allow snapshot presets to be recalled at a keystroke.

The combined efforts of KBS, Otaritec — Lawo’s representative in Japan — and Lawo led to a solution that provides many new possibilities for the creation of excellent programmes, very much in keeping with the KBS concept: ‘Creative & Live’.