Ireland’s TV3 purchases its first Harman Studer Vista 5 M2

The only commercial station in Ireland, TV3 currently operates three platforms – TV3, 3e and TV3.ie – and enjoys around 25 per cent of overall viewership. At present the broadcaster has two fully functioning studios with two more being built – and it was to equip the 5,000 square foot HD studio that TV3 recently purchased a 42-fader HARMAN Studer Vista 5 M2 console, along with four Vi Compact Stageboxes.

The M2 upgrade to the popular Vista 5 provides the addition of TFT metering; this is capable of displaying signal levels from mono through to 5.1 channels on each input, with a user-configurable lower area.

The station opted to invest in Studer technology for the first time, based on both price and facilities — and in particular the 32/16 fibre stage boxes, according to Jose de Freitas, CTO at TV3, and Simon Dowling, head of engineering. But their decision was made only after they had reviewed a number of alternative console options.

Sound engineer John Mullen explains that the Vista 5M2 will initially be deployed for all recordings and live shows in the HD studio. “It has already featured on a late political panellist series, a light entertainment series and as a ‘front-of-house’ desk when the studio is used as a live venue.” Aside from its use both with and without audiences the desk is currently deployed on a 10-part factual entertainment series.

Mullen believes that the desk has represented a wise investment, and that it has the potential to improve workflow as the studio network develops. Meanwhile, the next phase will be to have all technicians—both in-house and freelance—fully operator trained.

“There are many features we like about this desk,” he concludes. “Among them are the DSP Calculator; the General Patch Matrix, for its ease of use and visibility; the GEQ, which is great for creating monitoring/PA mixes;the meter bridge, both for its visisibility and flexibility in configuration; the Monitor Selector/File, for the quantity and flexibility of sources and the N-X [mix minus] Bus — again for its ease of use and flexibility.”