Risaralda 100.2 FM Tu Radio Selects DHD Audio SX2 And XC3 Production System

Risaralda FM Tu Radio has chosen a DHD audio production system for integration into its studio headquarters in the Pereira, capital city of Risaralda in western Colombia.

The project forms part of ongoing upgrades to the state-owned broadcasting channel, including new live transmission and recording capabilities. It was negotiated and completed by Bogota-based broadcast systems specialist ASPA ANDINA.

Inaugurated in October 2024, Risaralda 100.2 FM Tu Radio is a public-service radio station that was established to meet the state's communication needs. Transmitted both on air and online, it produces a combination of local, national and global news, music and general entertainment programmes which are freely available via terrestrial FM and online. The station has been completely remodelled and upgraded to allow increased use of digital technology that offers greater production creativity and higher signal quality.

"The compactness of the DHD SX2 console is ideal for radio activities," commented Guillermo Andrés Rodas Suárez, Risaralda 100.2 FM Tu Radio announcer. "Among its most striking features is the ability to customise the faders, assigning various inputs and functions to each button according to our needs. Likewise, its customisation layers allow us to save presets that are loaded with a single touch, offering a more enjoyable and faster operating experience. The touchscreen allows us to view all the meters and tools offered by the equipment, as well as to manipulate the gain and profile settings, among others. The DHD system has facilitated our transition to digital, avoiding losses and electrical interference to which our analog equipment was subject. The DHD approach also allows us to integrate more control surfaces on a modular basis in the future, such as the recording and production area, without having to invest in a new main console."

Colleague announcer John Alejandro Pulido adds: "The DHD is the best audio production console I have handled in my 24 years of experience in sound broadcasting, not least in terms of sound quality, functionality, agility and robust construction."

"The challenge was to propose a scalable solution which could be implemented in stages," said Juan Pablo León, ASPA ANDINA's Technical Director, Commercial. "We recommended a DHD SX2 mixer configured with 10 faders and dual layers, connected to a DHD XC3 processing core. The installation will be expanded during 2025 with the addition of a second SX2 mixing console to the same XC3 core, maximising the unique capabilities offered by DHD. Being able to drive two independent consoles with the same processing core was one of the most important attractions for the client. DHD was selected because it was the only brand on the market that offers real scalability and modularity. As DHD’s representative in Colombia, we are also able to provide technical support which is always vital for the selection of a professional broadcasting solution. The SX2 and XC3 are connected with the ASPA XFRAME automation and broadcast software which has had very successful adoption in Colombia and Latin America. We have also implemented Audinate Dante Bluetooth connectivity, taking advantage of all the audio formats offered by DHD for this project."

"The DHD system has captivated every announcer and operator who has used it, increasing the pleasure they get from working at our station," summarised Diana Vega, Risaralda 100.2 FM station director. "Emulating what Shakira says in one of her songs, we traded our Casio for a Rolex and our Twingo for a Ferrari. All that remains for me is to thank ASPA ANDINA who have accompanied us on this path to being the best and having the best."

DHD SX2 consoles are based on a four-fader central module which gives access to the most important audio inputs and outputs. A microphone input and headphone output are included and loudspeakers can be connected directly to this unit. SX2 consoles can be expanded beyond four channels by adding one or more modules with six motorised faders each. This allows the integration of up to 22 faders. Central and fader modules each incorporate a 10.1 inch multitouch display showing relevant configuration and operating parameters, enabling operators to see exactly how their console is performing both from connectivity and signal level perspectives. SX2 features can be extended simply by adding optional license codes to the DSP core, allowing extra faders, busses and clean feeds. Functions such as loudness metering and talkback to other DHD mixers are also supported.

DHD XC3 IP cores consist of two high efficiency DSP modules which combine into a single 1U chassis. In combination these support up to 48 stereo faders, 72 stereo busses and 16 channels of AES67 IP audio. IPx expansion modules can be added to accommodate 128 channels of AES67/Ravenna IP audio in/out and up to 512 Dante channels.

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