Bell Centre Upgrades To Calrec's Argo S Console

Montreal's Bell Centre has upgraded its live production and audio infrastructure with a new ST 2110 workflow built around Calrec's compact Argo S console, significantly enhancing fan engagement, broadcast output and multi-platform content delivery across the venue.

Canada's largest indoor arena, with a capacity of 21,000, hosts a diverse calendar of events including NHL fixtures, major concerts and large-scale entertainment productions. The new installation is designed to optimise the venue’s multi-purpose environment, providing greater flexibility, faster turnaround between events and improved audio management within a reduced-footprint control setting.

The upgrade supports live sports broadcasting, in-venue presentation, digital streaming and social media content, enabling Bell Centre to deliver simultaneous mixes and richer audio experiences for fans both in-person and online.

As home to the NHL's Montréal Canadiens, the arena is focused on enhancing creativity and efficiency across its production operations. Patrick Cyrenne, Bell Centre's Manager, Broadcasting and Electronics, believes the open and modular nature of the Calrec ecosystem will play an important role in that evolution.

"Argo has been a game-changer for managing the quick turnaround between different types of events," said Cyrenne, who is Bell Centre's Manager, Broadcasting and Electronics, and responsible for maintaining and overseeing the broadcast installations for game presentation.

"Its modular and flexible architecture allows us to easily reconfigure the console for different situations, which is essential to adhere to our tight schedules and varied technical demands. During a hockey game our audio workflow is geared toward broadcast feeds and Argo enables us to build show-specific layouts and recall them instantly."

Cyrenne explained the Argo S is also being used to produce and enhance more fan-focused and niche content across multiple platforms, especially for social media and digital engagement. He said: "The ability to manage simultaneous mixes allows us to tailor audio for alternate feeds without interrupting the main broadcast workflow. We also use it for recording voice overs and podcasts, as well as for watch parties where we generate audio feeds for in-venue entertainment and custom audio mixes for social streams, interviews, and special segments that run alongside the main event."

With in-house and remote production requirements, multi-language feeds, digital deliverables and increased volume of content, Bell Centre has seen its output capabilities expand significantly.

“Features like integrated automatic mix-minus means we can take on more without sacrificing quality or reliability,” he says. “Ultimately, Calrec helps us deliver high-quality content faster and more flexibly, allowing our team to stay agile and meet the growing demands of modern live event production.”

The reduced-height Argo S console meets the venue’s ergonomic needs, while support for Dante and MADI enables seamless integration with visiting OB trucks. Its interoperable IP backbone also connects directly with other parts of the arena’s production ecosystem.

"The Argo functions as a core audio engine within a larger, interconnected production ecosystem, and communicates directly with a range of IP-enabled systems," said Cyrenne. "This eliminates the need for traditional audio patching and allows us to dynamically route and manage audio throughout the entire facility.

"Our Ross Ultrix FR12 and FR5 routers act as central routing hubs for both video and audio signals, and Argo’s tight integration allows for synchronised routing of embedded audio alongside video across various production paths. This gives us full flexibility for handling mixed-media workflows during rapid event transitions.

"Argo also integrates directly with Cinedeck recorders for multichannel audio capture, the Prodigy I/O interface for bridging analogue or MADI sources, and our EVS audio track system for replay, highlights production and archives. Meanwhile, its integration with EVS Cerebrum means we can monitor and control Argo, the FR12 and FR5 routers, and all associated devices from a single interface, as well as patch changes and configuration recalls for different events like hockey games or special productions like Télédon or fan watch parties."

The system also simplifies connectivity for broadcasters covering events at the arena.

Cyrenne explained: "On game days most of the audio interconnectivity with the main broadcaster is direct and our game production can be easily incorporated into our broadcast partner’s program feed and vice versa. Having the flexibility to transport the audio signal in a variety of ways is useful as some operators prefer to stay on legacy technology; we operate Dante in the bowl for PA and for audio distribution around the concourse and the interconnect room, which gives us access to every audio source throughout the venue."

The installation was delivered in collaboration with Applied Electronics Ltd and Calrec's Canadian distributor True North A.V., resulting in a system aligned with current requirements while preparing the venue for future production demands.

calrec.com