HHB Communications Ltd. has supplied Radio Northwick Park (RNP) with a 12-fader Studer OnAir 1500 console for its round-the-clock hospital radio broadcast.
RNP Technical Officer Ben Hart chose the OnAir 1500 system with two additional analogue input cards and XLR cable looms to replace the station’s Soundcraft RM1D digital mixer after a demo at HHB’s London HQ.
Radio Northwick Park is a registered charity run by volunteers for over 40 years to provide patient visiting and a broadcast entertainment service to the North West London Hospitals NHS Trust. It is one of the first hospital radio stations in the country to broadcast 24 hours a day online. One of its most popular programmes is the patient request show that is hosted 7 days a week.
Ben explains that the RNP presenters have found the OnAir 1500 to be a very user-friendly console and they have taken to it very well: “It is a straightforward and easy to use system, so the learning curve for the presenters was minimal. It is also very customisable so I am able to do a lot more behind the scenes and lock down certain features so that they can’t get themselves in trouble.”
Another safe guard for presenters is the OnAir 1500’s remote facilities, which allows Ben to control any of the features from any computer logged into the radio station’s network. He explains: “The presenters often make use of the extensive features to customise the system to suit their own style, but I can log in remotely and reset or control any of the features immediately, which saves me the journey to the station if something goes wrong or presenters need support.”
Designed as a flexible hybrid solution for radio broadcasting and production, the OnAir 1500 is comprised of a professional grade fader unit and additional I/O and offers integrated USB playback and record functions. Northwick’s local Hospedia broadcast distribution system is not a digital network; however, the OnAir 1500 is connected via its analogue outputs, and the compact control unit hides in a rack in a cupboard below the presenter’s desk.
Ben explains that demoing the OnAir 1500 system at HHB’s HQ was invaluable to the selection process: “Although I had read the manual and did my research, I wanted to see and use one so that I was sure it was the best choice for the station. HHB was very helpful and knowledgeable throughout the process.”
HHB Sales Manager Andrew Hingley comments: “Ben had a clear idea of his requirements and immediately felt at ease with the OnAir 1500 system. It is a very attractive product for a charity and community-media based radio station because it is both feature rich and cost effective.”
For more information please contact Andrew Hingley at [email protected] or call +44(0)20 8962 5000
Editors Information:
HHB Communications Limited
Founded in 1976 and located in London, HHB Communications is a global leader in the supply of professional audio technology. Serving in the broadcast, recording and media production sectors, HHB’s unique expertise is also recognised by major manufacturers and innovators, many of which have appointed the company as exclusive distributors of their products. The specialist division, Scrub, serves the needs of the television and film post production industry from premises in the heart of London’s Soho.
About Radio Northwick Park
Radio Northwick Park (charity number 274806) is an award-winning hospital radio station and has been broadcasting since 1971. It is run by volunteers to provide patient visiting and broadcasting entertainment to Northwick Park Hospital. The station broadcasts 24 hours a day, seven days a week both around the hospital and online.
www.radionorthwickpark.org
