Broadcast Productivity Suite – the largest suite of apps for radio
The suite of apps can be used in any combination
Top features:
- 18 apps included
- control workflow between on-air studios, news and production studios, and the master control room
Broadcast Productivity Suite has been designed to simplify operational requirements of today’s broadcasters.
Following is a short overview of the available apps and their core functions.
Central Snapshot and Preset Management (CSPM)
The CSPM stores console snapshots and operator (DJ) settings in a central database and can assign these settings to any of the consoles in Klotz network. Console settings include source assignment to faders, bus configurations, mix-minus settings, and operator profiles. The preset settings also include individual format and Channel parameters for GAIN, EQ, and DYN.
Shared Control Management (SCM)
The use of more than one console in a networked radio station environment presents some exciting opportunities. The SCM app manages the use of sharing resources through a LAN infrastructure, such as central playout systems, pools of hybrids and codecs, remotely controlled Mic preamps, etc. The module enables cost savings across a network of studios, as third party equipment doesn‘t need to be replicated in each location.
Remote Source Assignment (RSA)
The RSA app allows the studio console selection of remote router sources (normally through fiber optic links) in the same manner as local sources. RSA provides the communication between a mixing console and a central router. Router sources are assigned to the console on a need to use basis. The console operator is unaware of this seamless background process.
Central Dynamic Source Labelling (CDSM)
The CDSL module quickly renames router sources shared by multiple studios. All studio locations where the router sources are assigned to a console receive the updated source label. This is especially useful for special broadcasts such as big sporting events or political elections. (Note: requires RSA module)
Central Return Line Management (RLM)
The RLM module manages the access and control of central resources. Central sources with associated return lines (mix minus lines) such as central telephone hybrids, ISDN codecs, bi-directional outside broadcast van feeds, satellite links, etc. require special attention. The RLM module allows control rooms/studios to provide shared central sources with appropriate return feeds in an intelligent, simple and stress free way.
Air Chain Management (ACM)
The air chain is the path or route an audio signal takes on its way through a radio station. The Air Chain Management module intelligently manages a station workflow from studio to the air chain from anywhere in the station. The ACM can be fully automated or can be controlled manually. Together with a graphical user interface it allows for the complete signal path to be called up on a single keystroke and critical points in the signal flow monitored.
Silence Sense Management (SSM)
The Silence Sense Management App is a real time function that monitors selected output signals for interruption. The duration of the signal interruption or loss is definable before action is taken or a warning alarm is activated. The module allows events to be programming when a signal interruption occurs, such as automatic switch over to an alternate source, sending a message to a mobile phone and triggering of local station alarms.
User Rights Management (URM)
The URM App provides password controlled access management to consoles and other control devices within the Klotz system. It allows the assignment of users to groups, and lets system administrators define the authorization level of individual users and user groups. The module also password controls activation of console presets and snapshots.
Time Switch Software (TSW)
The Time Switch Software (TSW) is a powerful tool for radio stations that require the automation of audio switching. The TSW app allows the connection of single or multiple sources to destinations based on a schedule. A database is used to store the connection information along with date and time information. It is also possible to create connections, which reoccur daily or weekly and different routings can be stored as a group for precise switching in real time.
Studio Talkback Module (STB)
Above the standard functionality of basic talkback features, such as talkback into return lines of telephone hybrids and codecs, the Studio Talkback Module (STB) can be integrated into single consoles or a global system network. This allows for comfortable and intuitive local talkback functions between control rooms, studio booths and MCR. The STB functionality can be adapted into extensive workflow solutions in order to accommodate a variety of customer applications. The software includes Mixing and Dimming functions, and also allows for the definition of certain priority levels. Using the existing Klotz audio and control infrastructure no additional investment in a third party solution is required.
Intercom Module (ICM)
The ICM app offers communication by using the already installed Klotz fiber optic net- work to any location within the facility that has an intercom control head and audio connectivity. The software module implements intelligent call handling including busy indication and notification of calls during absence. Integrated in the existing Klotz infrastructure it avoids costly additional hardware and intercom control can be programmed directly within the console via the use of appropriate buttons.
Regional Insertion Management (REGIM)
The REGIM app provides the control of audio switching, fading or cross fading between national program material and one or more local (regional) program insertions. Regional content with relevant local information, such as local news, advertising, commercials, events or traffic announcements, will be automatically fed into the transmission feeds.
Automatic MI[C]XER
The automatic microphone mixer – MI[C]XER – meets the needs of radio stations that specialize in news and talk radio formats or offer periodically-broadcasted round table programs. MI[C]XER simplifies the normally complicated handling of multi-microphone signals by allowing ‚one hand operation‘ of up to 40 mono or stereo line level inputs. The software provides individual level meters for each channel, allows for the insertion of EQ and DYN processing on any signal, and has a priority microphone function to automatically mute some or all open mics. The software significantly improves the audio quality and speech intelligibility during a multi-microphone recording.
Automatic Gain Control (AGC)
AGC is a highly sophisticated multi channel audio leveler, which uses specific level measurement and gain correction DSP algorithms. The AGC offers inaudible automatic level adjustments of critical audio channels, e.g. satellite radio and TV broadcasts, within user defined boundaries. The AGC allows a simultaneous control of up to hundreds of mono and stereo channels.
Central Status Monitoring (CSM)
The Central Status Monitoring (CSM) supervises all important system components of a networked station, providing system status information and creating log files. As soon as a malfunction or a hardware defect has been detected an alarm screen message will be displayed and a GPI contact can be triggered in order to generate an alarm message to external devices.
Hot Standby Controller (HSC)
The HSC app offers a hot standby function by using an additional system controller, which takes control of the main controller in case of a failure. The HSC therefore represents the best redundancy solutions for the most important component of the Klotz system. If required, the HSC can also be used as a backup controller for any mixing console within a system. The take over is seamless and uninterrupted so that there is no loss of audio during take over procedure. The software immediately alerts the user in case of a failure.
Remote Control Interface (RCI)
The remote control interface sends and receives routing and switching commands through Serial or TCP/IP interfaces to and from 3rd party systems or devices. This allows for an inexpensive integration of a Klotz system in a complex technical environment. The RCI can be used in conjunction with playout systems and provides access to most functions of a Klotz based mixing console.
Master/Slave Module, mirror and auto-switch over.
The Master/Slave module continuously monitors the status of multiple consoles and allows an automatic or manual switchover between two studios. The app can be set to treat Studio 1 as the main On-Air console and studio 2 as a standby (combind production and backup) console. The state of the main and standby consoles can be reversed manually at the push of a button, or will automatically mirror and switch if a failure in the main console is detected. When this happens the standby console takes over operation of the main console by loading all the main console settings. When the main console is back online it can be switched back as the ‘master’ console at the push of a button. All settings are then transferred back from the ‘slave’ console to the ‘master’ console. This allows Broadcasters to switch a different studio on air at the top of the hour, so that the DJ can get prepared for his show in the production studio which then becomes the on air studio when the show is supposed to start.
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