SuperStars in Lebanon

Future TV based in the Beirut Hall complex in Lebanon has just installed an InnovaSON Sy80 digital mixing console as part of a major system upgrade for their newly inaugurated Studio D. Offering 12m of vertical clearance and no less than 1500sqm of set and audience space, Studio D was purpose-built for FTV's major musical shows including SuperStar, the pan-Arab version of Pop Idol.

Philippe Tohme, independent producer/sound engineer and acting consultant for FTV-Lebanon was responsible for researching, testing and specifying the new equipment. He explained that the main priority was to upgrade the system to accommodate for the new space while maintaining the extremely high sonic standards for which the show has become famous throughout the Arab world over the last two years. "There is no doubt that SuperStar has set the standard for live broadcast oriental orchestra mixing since the show was first aired two years ago, so it was incumbent upon me to maintain if not exceed those standards as the show's popularity increased, followed by an increase in production and studio size to match," commented Tohme.

The original equipment for the show consisted of an 80-input/40-output console on which Tohme was producing twenty monitor mixes and eight broadcast subgroups. The system upgrade includes the INNOVASON Sy80 with two EtherSound-enabled InnovaSON Stageboxes and an InnovaSON Mixbox providing a total of 64 mic/line inputs, 24 line inputs, 32 line outputs and 16 AES/EBU digital ins/outs. Wireless UHF mic count has gone from 14 Shure U4Ds to 22 Beta58 or Beta87 heads, and in-ear capacity now stands at 8 channels of Shure PSM700 into 22 E5 in-ear monitors.

"I specified the Sy80 after months of research. I looked at dedicated broadcast systems from all of the major broadcast manufacturers as well as a number of digital consoles from the live sound reinforcement sector. What I found was that the INNOVASON solution offered all the specific functions I required for a fraction of the cost of dedicated broadcast systems, and for a competitive price compared to similar 'touring' desks," observed Tohme. "Furthermore, the sonic quality is of a standard to delight even audio purists, as we discovered as soon as we started manipulating the processing section, and the wonderfully simple and intuitive user interface is a real bonus when you occasionally have to rely on inexperienced TV sound technicians for operation,"

Tohme pointed out that the configuration of the desk allows it to play the role of just about any task-specific console on the market. "In our case it is a live broadcast desk where all of the program's inputs are handled simultaneously and go directly on-air. We have a 32-piece oriental orchestra, 12 SuperStar candidates, 4 personalities in the jury section and one presenter plus audience mics, VTRs and media players all visible and live on the Sy80. In addition to providing three stereo busses for recording and two mono busses for broadcast, the desk also produces eight mix-minus busses as returns to the stage area. In other words, we're working it pretty hard, but the Sy80 handles it all with ease, and remains extremely simple to navigate, which is a blessing for the operator when there is so much going on. I would say that my research paid off – I'm delighted with my choice of the Sy80."