Taiwan state broadcaster TBS (Taipei Broadcasting Station) recently completed a major production facility modernisation project at its headquarters in Taipei City. The upgrade was coordinated by Taiwan-based systems integrator ADE in collaboration with Tiyu and Stagetec Asia. It took place over three months and was completed without interrupting the broadcaster’s operations.

Based in the city’s Yuanshan District, the TBS building is surrounded by key landmarks such as the Taipei Fine Arts Museum and the Taipei Astronomical Museum, promoting arts and culture. TBS transmits around the clock on FM 93.1 and AM 1134 to the country’s 23-million-plus population. Its programme schedule includes news, entertainment, educational and public service content, also available via online streaming. 

At the heart of the new audio network are eight DHD SX2 on-air consoles, a TX2 multitouch-screen broadcast mixer, eight XC3 cores and two XD3 cores. Each SX2 console is connected to two XC3 cores, primary and auxiliary, which enable low-latency sound management and signal distribution. The XD3 cores support system-wide routing.

“The project combined seamless integration of advanced digital audio technology with the need to ensure zero downtime for TBS’s 24-hour operations,” comments Yap Wei Keong, Stagetec Asia Senior Project Manager. “DHD SX2 streamline online air mixing has been provided for each of the eight radio studios.  We also integrated a TX2 in the master control room where its touch-driven interface simplifies complex operations and enhances transitions between programmes. The system includes an automated time scheduler which handles signal routing in sync with the TBS broadcast schedule, reducing the need for manual intervention. Meticulous planning ensured uninterrupted transmission throughout the project. The SX2 and TX2 consoles streamline operations and futureproof the station to meet ever-advancing industry standards.”

The upgrade has received recognition as a Gold Winner of the MUSE Design Awards, highlighting TBS’s commitment to innovation and sustainable development.  Energy-efficient air-conditioning systems and LED lighting, as well as strategies for reusing wood, minimise the environmental impact. The equipment room façades are covered with a double layer of electromagnetic wave isolation paint. The air-conditioning system uses a non-conventional method to solve the challenge of low ceiling height.

DHD’s SX2 is a modular audio mixer based on a four-fader central module. Each SX2 unit is a standalone table-top device which can be chained with others to create a single console. The central module gives access to the most important audio inputs and outputs. A microphone input and headphone output are also included. Loudspeakers can be connected directly. Also available is a fader module with six motorised faders. This module allows the addition of a second layer accommodating up to 16 channels. Central and fader modules each incorporate a 10.1-inch multitouch display showing relevant configuration and operating parameters. SX2 features can be extended simply by adding optional license codes to the DSP core. This allows extra faders, busses and clean-feeds. Functions such as loudness metering, profanity delay and talkback to other DHD mixers are also supported.

Designed for daily operation where space is at a premium, the DHD TX2 can be used standalone or to extend any DHD system. It provides access to many features within a very small footprint, just 25.8 cm wide by 27 cm front-to-back. The forward-sloping table-top panel includes a 10.1-inch capacitive multitouch IPS display, two assignable potentiometers and six silent multicolour hardware buttons, allowing professional audio mixing. The number and size of faders can be configured easily, buttons can be assigned with the required functions and, of course, peak meters can be configured to show specific channel signal levels. Frequently used connectors for projects such as for telephone interviews or dubbing can be accessed easily on the mixer’s 5 cm high rear panel. The TX2 connects to a core processor or concentrator via a single network cable which also carries all audio and control signals, plus power, up to 100 metres.

The DHD XC3 IP core comprises two dual-core DSP modules which combine into 1U. These jointly 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.

The XD3 core is a non-blocking audio routing matrix designed for modern broadcast environments. Connectivity options are available for Dante, AES67/RAVENNA, MADI, AES3/EBU, Gigabit Audio, APC or analogue signals are available. Two IPx expansion slots allow the XD3 IP core to handle multiple Audio-over IP technologies: 128 x 128 AES67/Ravenna interface (module 52-7567), 512 x 512 Dante interface (module 52-7585) and 64 x 64 Dante interface (module 52-7580). Extra IPx modules can be added via XC3 IP core concentrators, connected to the core over a Gigabit Audio connection.