Custom Consoles announces the completion of a large technical furniture project for Radio Télévision Suisse (RTS) at the network’s recently inaugurated production studios in Lausanne-Écublens.
A subsidiary of the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation SRG SSR, RTS produces programmes for Switzerland’s French-speaking viewers and listeners, supplementing the Schweizer Radio und Fernsehen (SRF) and Radiotelevisione svizzera (RSI) services in other regions. In addition to its RTS Première, RTS Espace 2, RTS Couleur 3 and RTS Option Musique radio channels, RTS produces two television channels (RTS 1 and RTS 2) and the streaming platform Play RTS. The Lausanne-Écublens site is nearly 25,000 square metres in size and designed to accommodate radio channels, as well as the news production for all channels and technologies, sports, culture and cross-functional services.
“We were chosen to partner in this project following a competitive tender process which we won on the basis of RTS’ long and successful experience in using our desks and monitor display mounts,” comments Gary Fuller, Sales Manager at Custom Consoles. “It includes nearly 50 desks from our Module-R, MDesk Technical Height-Adjustable and System 2 series, plus a substantial number of MediaWall monitor supports. We also provided onsite installation support in the main radio studio, TV news studio, ingest, editing and graphics suites plus commentary and speech booths.”
Among the largest of the new suites is the TV news control room which includes three Module-R desks facing three MediaWalls. Occupying the front row is a production control desk equipped for up to seven operators. Behind this are two Module-R desks configured for supporting applications. An adjacent sound control suite houses a Module-R in a right-angled configuration with the widest section facing a MediaWall. An additional audio control desk is situated at the focus of the right-angled desk.
Second largest is the radio control room which comprises two Module-R desks in a space-efficient U configuration. One of the desks faces a soundproof window overlooking a live presentation studio. This is a dual-operator desk with two audio mixing consoles integrated into its worktop. Facing the right-hand and rear walls is an L-shaped desk for use by up to four extra members of the production team. Both desks face MediaWalls supplementing monitor display screens mounted directly to the desks.
Module-R desks were also chosen for the ingest suite which is equipped to support live and near-live television programme production. This comprises a dual-operator unit directly in front of a MediaWall. Parallel with this desk near the centre of the suite is a dual-operator desk. Occupying the rear left of the ingest suit is a right-angled Module-R for use by a single operator. All five members of the ingest team have line-of-sight view of the front MediaWall plus easy visual access to individually adjustable display screens mounted directly to the rear of each bay.
Edit suite facilities provided include 15 MDesk Technical Height-Adjustable desks, each equipped for dual operators. All are equipped to support 4:3 and 16:9 video monitors as well as nearfield loudspeakers plus one or more curved ultra-widescreen displays. Custom Consoles System 2 desks were also specified by RTS for various auxiliary roles.
Custom Consoles’ Module-R series comprises a range of modules offering freedom of choice in terms of desk size, configuration and facilities. Unlike one-piece control room furniture, Module-R desks can be modified or expanded at any time during their working life. Auxiliary pods of various sizes for broadcast industry standard 19 inch rack-mounting equipment can be specified at the time of installation or added later. Individual elements such as desktops can be replaced easily if required for workflow-related or aesthetic reasons.
MediaWall is a video and audio monitor support frame system providing the same combination of structural rigidity and operational versatility as Module-R. Flat-screen video displays of practically any size can be mounted in almost any configuration. Incorporating height-adjustable horizontal beams and T-slot mounts, MediaWall is configurable to ensure optimal sight lines. Individual or multiple frames can be used in self-supporting mode or coupled directly to the studio wall. Monitor signal and power cables are fully concealed and can enter or leave the structure at any desired point.
MDesk-Technical HA is a heavy-duty workstation with a motorised desktop which can be adjusted in height from 66 cm to 125 cm above floor level. This allows individual operators to choose between working while seated or standing and to set the desktop height at their exact preference. Total lifting capacity is 400 kg. Like standard versions of MDesk-Technical, the HA version is available with or without PC storage. Free-standing 19 inch desktop pods can be specified at the time of order or added later.
SystemTwo is a multi-element desk designed to accommodate free-standing or pod-mounted equipment such as graphics workstations and editing terminals. The SystemTwo range includes the S2-01B desk and S2-02B shelf, both electrically adjustable in height.
