Innovative Broadcast Project Proves A Success

An outside broadcast and satellite uplink specialist has worked with the Red Bull Music Academy on an ambitious and unique event which saw 30 music gigs simultaneously broadcast live on the internet, online radio and to a live audience from the EDF Energy London Eye.
30 of the capsules played host to a range of bands, producers and DJs such as Ms Dynamite, Kano, Andrew Weatherall, Beardyman and Don Letts, plus special guests from the Red Bull Music Academy.
SIS LIVE provided OB 3 and Link 21 vehicles, plus operators and equipment to produce live video streams from 4 of the capsules, and audio streams from all 30 capsules broadcast on the Red Bull Music Academy Radio player.
Inside each of the 4 ‘video enabled’ capsules feeds from 2 x HD Cameras were linked via Radio Frequency (RF) to Link 21 and then passed on to OB 3 where they were cut using one of four RouteCases situated on the rear desks of the production area. RouteCase, a SIS LIVE designed and developed product, is a self-contained, compact HD portable production studio which lent itself perfectly to this sort of live mixing environment.
The remaining 26 capsules had audio only radio transmitters fed by a small audio mixing desk which sent the audio down to OB3. The sound was routed through the sound desk for TV treatment before getting to RouteCase. The output then went back onto the matrix before being sent for streaming.
Streaming server towers and cabling into OB 3 for 34 stereo pairs of audio and 4 video streams were installed, with 3 x i-direct modems in Link 21 connecting directly to each streaming tower.
Speaking before the event, James Clement, Sales Director, SIS LIVE said: “The planning and preparation has been meticulous, particularly as the teams will only be allowed access to the capsules 90 minutes before the live event. We are pleased to have be so heavily involved in this exciting and elaborate show.”
Viewers at home got to see close up coverage of each gig from 2 cameras, cut with a wide shot of the whole wheel in motion as well as graphics fed by an EVS XT[2] identifying the artist.
Additionally, audio outputs were sent to the Delta Sound ‘Silent Disco’ which took place at the foot of the wheel. Using radio headsets the audience were able to dial in to their gig of choice and dance to their hearts content, whilst also providing amusement for those without headsets. The EDF Energy London Eye’s in house IP system was also fed with a quad split of the 4 filmed acts.
Before the broadcast, David Meynell, Managing Director, SIS LIVE, said: "We are proud to be working so closely with the Red Bull moving image department to pull off this ambitious production, which will demonstrate not only the expertise of SIS LIVE’s operational team, but also the innovation and reliability of our award winning product range."
For more information visit: www.redbullmusicacademy.com/worldtour/london/
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