WNYC “The Greene Space”
Earlier this year, WNYC Radio unveiled The Jerome L. Greene
Performance Space to present live radio shows, exclusive commissioned works, political and cultural conversions, audio theater productions, and musical performances. The Greene Space has transformed a traditional public radio station into a cultural 125-seat destination.
The broadcaster brought in The Systems Group (TSG) for the consultation and integration of The Greene Space project, which is designed around an earlier first-phase project to fully digitize its new studios. To provide a high-quality recording environment, the studio floors are floated, and special double-pane glazed glass protects the full-length studio windows. Low-wattage LED theatrical lighting, a bamboo stage, the use of recycled materials and interactive programming on environmental issues support The Greene Space name.
This modern broadcasting event space is outfitted with high-end digital audio and video production systems and relies upon multiple platforms to deliver live, radio, webcasting and telecasting digital programming.The audio hub integrates a Sierra Automated Systems (SAS) routing platform configured with 1536 inputs and 1536 outputs, allowing flexibility for audio routing throughout the various production spaces. The decentralized, redundant core of the system is spread through two equipment rooms on different floors and reaches out to 34 remote I/O hubs throughout the facility. The SAS system also provides facility-wide intercom functionality. The nature of the “anything, anywhere” approach required significant innovation to allow operators in each control room to be able to control the pool of shared equipment located in the centralized equipment rooms. This was facilitated by a variety of IP- and Web-based control systems. A Silex Media D.A.V.I.D. DigaSystem automation and asset management suite of products provides file-based access to the full range of content stored on the network. All audio content is stored on a 24TB Isilon storage array managed by the DigaSystem. The clustered nature of this system allows for strong-fault tolerance with a virtually limitless potential for growth. An additional 24TB of storage is available on another SAN accessible from 70 ProTools workstations throughout the facility.
The studio is based on API Vision analog surround mixing consoles configured with 40 channels of automated faders. A ProTools HD2 rig with 48 inputs and 48 outputs gives plenty of flexibility for in-room recording and mix-down. A data center provides support for next-gen IT systems. Core server systems were built with blade servers to reduce network switch and KVM port counts. They also reduce the data center’s power and air-conditioning requirements. Adwar video teamed up with Whitehorse Video Productions to provide the HD video production systems featuring robotic Sony HD cameras.
Based on a hybrid multiplatform to engage audiences with radio shows, video webcasts, concerts and cultural discussions, the integrated technology, design and system integration of The Greene Space is providing WNYC with another platform to grow its audience for the broadcaster’s creative lineup of compelling high-quality programming.
- New studio technology – station
Submitted by The Systems GroupDesign teamThe Systems Group: John Meusel, proj. mgr.; Paul Rea; proj. eng.; Jose Morales, integration supervisor;
WNYC Radio: Steve Shultis, CTO; Jim Stagnitto, dir. of eng.Technology at workAPI: Vision recording console
Avocent: KVM switching
BroadcastBionics: PhoneBox call screening system
DigiDesign: ProTools LE/HD2 editing
Digital Alert Systems: DASDEC EAS system
Harris: Modular distribution/conversion
Hewlett-Packard: Servers and desktop PCs
Sierra Automated Systems: Audio mixing, routing, intercom
Silex Media: D.A.V.I.D. DigaSystem (Asset management and automation)
Studio Network Solutions: SANmp proTools SAN
© 2009 Penton Media, Inc.
