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The new Atlanta headquarters will feature Rickey Smiley, Willie Moore Jr. and other shows.
An edition of this tale appeared in Radio World’s “Spectacular Radio Studios” e-book.
A new studio serves Urban One’s Atlanta office.
The company’s Radio One and Reach Media branches have operations there, and this studio will be used through members of the Atlanta-based “The Rickey Smiley Morning Show,” whose main studio is in Dallas. The hall will also serve as the main studio for “The Willie Moore Jr. Show” and “The Nightly Spirit”.
“It’s a studio structure, but it’s not a small project,” said Vic Jester, lead engineer for Radio One Atlanta, who blames the network on the project. The physical structure and design were done through Warren-Hanks Construction and McAfee3 Architects. The integration was primarily done through Bohn Broadcast Services, which sent Paul Burt and Micah Dempsey as on-site engineers for the job.
“We used an area that had been a transient production studio and an adjacent exhibition preparation area. We have completely gotten rid of all existing partitions, floors and ceilings,” Jester said.
“We then built new internal double post walls with layers of double drywall on each side, a new sound insulation external wall, the external wall of the existing building, and a new hard ceiling, loaded with springs suspended from the ceiling, for floor insulation. up. . “
The team then installed a sound insulation fabric on the internal wall surfaces to fit Urban One’s existing studio suite. “tenants. “
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A notable transition is the switch to audio over IP.
“Our services were built when AoIP was on the horizon, but it was not yet a viable option. Our main routers and studio worksurfaces are based on TDM. We are in the process of moving to WheatNet IP-based audio routing. , however, we’re not at the point where we can absolutely transfer to that.
So they reused a Wheatstone G-4 virtual paint surface and satellite frame inherited from the acquisition of a station and integrated it with the existing router system.
“It is a testament to Wheatstone that they can and are still willing to use a 16-year infrastructure in this regard. The new study is not entirely based on TDM, as we have WheatNet IP sheets in the studio for microphone processing and control functions. “.
Key elements also included WideOrbit Automation for radio, and VoxPro and Adobe Audition for audio editing. The team reoriented their EV RE30 microphones, Stanton dual CD turntable and Mackie HR824mk2 active speakers. They bought a new Yellowtec monitor and microphone arms, as well as a new Wheatnet M4 Microphone Processor.
The traditional cabinets were from Studio Technologies, whose owner, Vince Fiola, traveled to Atlanta from Philadelphia to make the delivery.
Jester said the task includes installing studio lighting and cameras to supply video to the Internet division. “My former CE assistant Jason Staten, who now works as a freelance film lighting technician, is the lead designer of this component. “
Jester noted that many broadcasters are in an era of transition in the way they deal with such projects.
“Some companies are thinking about how to reduce the work area. Some are in the process of reducing each and every component of their operations. In this case, Urban One invests in a study area and creates an environment for network operations to grow. It provides an area where aerial skill and manufacturers can collaborate in person, offering a better product for affiliates. Reach Media Radio CEO David Kantor, Atlanta Vice President/GENERAL Manager Tim Davies, and Vice President of Engineering John Soller were willing to invest in infrastructure here, especially when many other corporations are cutting or getting rid of their ability to produce content.
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The new Atlanta headquarters will feature Rickey Smiley, Willie Moore Jr. and other shows.