TASCAM Sonicview Broadcast Use Cases

Several hundred TASCAM Sonicview Digital Mixing Consoles have been installed by broadcasters for a wide variety of use cases, which is testament to the high level of functionality and configurability that Sonicview provides, as well as the comprehensive channel processing, flexible busses all with full processing, and 4 internal stereo effects processors.

Additionally, TASCAM Sonicview has a large range of I/O formats available, from multiple balanced analogue Mic/Line inputs and Line outputs on the rear panel, 64 channel digital I/O via Dante and ST 2110 Audio-over-IP networks, AES-EBU, MADI, and a 32 channel USB interface. Fully configurable Talkback plus two Monitor output sections, together with the Dante connected SB-16D I/O units with remotely controllable pre-amps, mean that Sonicview can meet any typical I/O requirement. Control via GPIO and Ember+ and SNMP monitoring complete the functions typically needed by broadcasters.

Several other benefits offered by TASCAM Sonicview that broadcasters have found attractive include the sparkling audio quality of the preamps and in-built effects, extremely low-latency, the compact form factor, lightweight design and the low power requirements. Most of all, Sonicview provides a full range of functionality that broadcasters require for many Radio and TV applications, but at an extremely competitive price point, which enables broadcast operations with lower budgets.

Outside Broadcast / Mobile Broadcast
TASCAM Sonicview has been installed as the main mixer in smaller TV and Radio OB Vans, as it is compact, lightweight and has low power requirements. For Mobile Broadcasting, Sonicview is ideal, as all DSP processing is self-contained and so there is no external rack system required. This also makes Sonicview ideal for fly-away situations, as it is easily transportable and weighs only 18kg (Sonicview 24) or 13kg (Sonicview 16).

Production & Broadcasting for TV News Channels
As a compact and cost effective audio mixing solution and with features such as Auto Mixing, Audio Follow Video switching and Ember+ control capabilities, that allows integration with broadcast control/automation systems, TASCAM Sonicview is a cost effective and very versatile solution that has been installed in several TV News facilities.

Auto Mixer
The TASCAM Sonicview features a gain-sharing Auto Mixer function that automatically controls gain in real time, ensuring optimal conditions at all times during panel discussions, events, and talk shows where multiple participants are speaking. Four groups allow up to four different mixes to be created independently for each group.

A PRIORITY function that enables only the chairperson or moderator to speak, and a WEIGHT function allows the level of a particular channel to be mixed higher or lower for each group.
The PRIORITY function can also be externally controlled via GPIO IN.

Audio Follow Video Function to Link Video and Audio
The corresponding audio fader level can be operated in conjunction with the video material tally from the video switcher. Tally events can be input via GPIO, with 8 inputs on the TASCAM Sonicview and up to 40 inputs when a SB-16D is connected.

Various parameters (ON LEVEL, OFF LEVEL, WAIT TIME, RISE TIME, HOLD TIME, FALL TIME) can be set on the channel selected as the control target. It enables simple sound and video interlocking operation in broadcast studio systems as well as in various outside broadcasting such as sports.

Studio Broadcasting
TASCAM Sonicview has been installed for live broadcasting for both Radio and TV, and can be configured for external control from vision mixers, or can send fader starts to trigger external systems. The configurability and versatility of Sonicview means that it is compatible with many different workflows. Additionally the configurable talkback and dual monitoring sections allow for flexible communications between locations.

Backup/Emergency Mixer for DR (Disaster Recovery) Systems
As TASCAM Sonicview includes a full range of functions for broadcasters and is compact, lightweight and has low power requirements, many broadcasters have installed Sonicview as a backup mixer next to a traditional large format main mixer, so that Sonicview would be used for Disaster Recovery in case of an issue with the primary system. A major benefit that Sonicview provides is that it is very cost effective, and so assists in reducing the overall cost of a backup system.

This has been the case for TASCAM Sonicview consoles installed for both broadcast studio installations and Outside Broadcast vehicles.

Live Events and Live Recording
As TASCAM Sonicview has in-built Dante Audio-over-IP connectivity and optional expansion cards for MADI, together with the TASCAM SB-16D 16 in/out Dante connected stage box (up to 4 units can be connected), it has been used by broadcasters for live events.

The exceptional audio quality of the TASCAM Class 1 HDIA preamps for Sonicview and SB-16D. with the capability to accept line level inputs up to +32dBu, has been a major factor in the benefits that Sonicview provides for PA and Sound Reinforcement. The extremely low latency of 20.8 uS for digital in to digital out (2 samples at 96kHz), and 0.51 mS for analogue in to analogue out also means that Sonicview doesn’t add any significant latency to the audio, which is particularly important for musicians using in-ear monitoring.

The optional IF-MTR32 recording card (included as standard in the Sonicview XP models) provides direct live recording of 32-tracks onto an SD Card, so can capture live events without the requirement for external audio recorders, and it also provides a virtual sound-check playback mode. It can also operate in a studio recording mode with overdubbing and punch in/out.

Sonicview’s independent stereo Recorder and Player can be used for recording from any of the busses to an SD Card and the Player can be setup to play a complete folder from USB Media or an SD Card as a playlist, and the 18 User programmable keys can be setup to instantly play any pre-selected file for sound effects, backing tracks or ambiences.

Multi-Purpose
As TASCAM Sonicview is able to be used in multiple scenarios, including studio recording, Radio & TV studio broadcast, mobile/outside broadcast, live events/concerts, post production and recording, several broadcasters have acquired Sonicview consoles as a versatile mixing and recording solution that can be utilised in many applications.

Pre-Mixing and Intercom I/O
TASCAM Sonicview consoles have been installed for pre-mixing groups of microphones that are then fed to a main broadcast console and for interacting with Intercom systems and Commentator/Announcer consoles via the Dante audio network. Any Sonicview bus can be configured with mix-minus and routed to any output channel.

ST 2110 Test Systems
Typically, broadcasters will setup a comprehensive test system when preparing to transition from a traditional broadcast system with AES-EBU and SDI connected devices, to a ST 2110 AV-over-IP networked system. TASCAM Sonicview, together with the IF-ST2110 expansion card is ideal for this, as it provides full functionality at a cost effective price point, which helps to reduce the budget required for the test system.