MALAYSIA:
Solutions provider JAA Systems, working with main contractor Medialab Alliance, has simultaneously upgraded two regional RTM radio stations on different islands – one at the tip of Borneo, Sabah, and another on the duty-free island of Labuan, part of Federal territory of state of Malaysia. Both islands are around two a half hours’ flight time from the Malaysian capital, Kuala Lumpur.
JAA Systems has modernised RTM Sabah and RTM Labuan stations’ old radio systems with futureproofed IP technology – Calrec’s Type R audio mixers and routers – providing an IP mixing system using the broadcast-standard AoIP protocol, AES67, for the entire studio facilities of both. At RTM Sabah, nine studios have been installed with the Type R mixer as well as two routers, while four studios at RTM Labuan now have Type R mixers and a routing system. The upgrades place them ahead of other radio stations in the Southeast Asian region in term of cutting-edge technology.
RTM Sabah and Labuan are the second RTM regional stations to use RCS’s Zetta radio automation system, managed and installed by RCS Malaysia. Artel’s Quarra 10G and 1G managed PTP IP switches form part of the IP system, along with Sonifex Grandmaster as the main PTP clocking system. In the studios and control rooms, Densitron IDS systems display relevant data. In the main On Air studios, each station is equipped with a WinCAM Visual Radio system from WinMedia to provide automated visual systems from three PTZ cameras positioned at various angles.
Alongside the Calrec Type R 96×96 stereo matrix router in the Master Control Room, a Orban 8700iLT audio processor has been provided, while for transmitting and receiving audio via IP from RTM Angkasapuri KL or other regional stations, Prodys’s Quantum ST professional IP audio codecs are deployed. For communications purposes, a Laon 5GHz digital intercom system has been installed for the first time at an RTM facility.
Calrec Brio36 production mixers have been provided for the stations’ multipurpose studios, together with a Merging Pyramix DAW for multi-track recording, while dB Technologies speakers, a Shure wireless microphone system, a Yamaha QL series live mixer, a Digispot Synergy Mini mixer and JK Audio’s remote mix device and telephone hybrid have been provided for outside broadcast use.
Both radio station upgrades were contracted to complete within 10 months. Added to this challenge were the logistics of managing a large interdisciplinary team, the amount of travel required and ongoing global supply chain issues. The latter presented the biggest hurdle, with equipment and parts from factories around the world needing to be delivered to the islands. Delays caused unforeseen problems during installation, with new plans and strategies implemented to ensure the project’s progress. Meanwhile, radio channels had to continue broadcasting 24/7 while the upgrade was ongoing.
“This is the single largest radio project that we have handled,” said Azhar Abdul Latiff, MD of Medialab Alliance. “The project management and execution were not easy due to worldwide supply chain issues, and the radio stations being located on two different islands compounded the challenges. However, with strong support from good partners and motivated teams, we successfully completed the work within the 10-month contractual period.”
“This is the largest-ever Calrec Type R audio mixer and router channel system to be installed in Malaysia and Southeast Asia to date,” added David Chan, MD of JAA Systems. “While IP technology may still be new in most radio stations around the world, we have successfully implemented these fully-fledged AoIP audio network systems for RTM Sabah and Labuan. The Calrec Type-R provides many powerful features such as remote monitoring and operation, simplified control and fingertip management of the overall system. We are glad to have modernised and supported RTM to move forward into the brand-new IP world.”
Source: https://www.proavl-asia.com/details/71543-jaa-systems-futureproofs-rtm-radio-stations-with-ip-technology