Stop & Go has upgraded two of its OB units with Solid State Logic consoles.
The Toulouse-based production company has integrated Solid State Logic (SSL) System T S400 consoles into two of its OB units aiming to enhance flexibility and future-proof operations to meet the evolving demands of outside broadcasting.
Introduced in April, OB6 is a traditional unit designed for premium events and has been equipped with a full-size 48-fader System T audio desk which aims to provide a larger control surface for high-capacity productions.
The second vehicle, OB4, is entirely different, being the company’s first hybrid, double-decker truck, which is capable of autonomous or remote-controlled operation. Making its debut in September when it supported Canal+ coverage of the French Top 14 Rugby League, OB4 features a 32-fader S400.
Thomas Mutos, technical director at Stop & Go, commented, “We started by rethinking the networking of our entire fleet to make resource sharing between trucks easier, and when we started looking at new technologies and more robust connectivity we realised that if we can do this locally, we can also do it remotely.”
SSL’s Dante-based routing and I/O system ensures teams are able to easily switch between trucks as required, increasing flexibility to meet production needs.
“Our goal is to provide our clients and teams with tools that are simple, robust, flexible, and fully integrated into our workflows, and we knew we wanted the same audio system in both trucks,” added Mutos. “Installing SSL was a real team decision, and after six months of operation in OB6 we knew we had made the right choice; the feedback from crews has been nothing but positive.
“But OB4 is our first hybrid truck, capable of operating autonomously or being fully remote-controlled. Our clients are increasingly seeking partners who can demonstrate a commitment to reducing their carbon footprint, and this dual capability allows us to significantly reduce production costs by limiting team travel and centralising resources, while also lowering environmental impact. Using a single truck for both workflows is a key part of this strategy.”
Working with Stop & Go, SSL customised the desk layouts in each unit with the 48-fader surface in OB6 split into two sections and OB4’s S400 twin bay located next to a System T Fader Tile connected to SSL’s Tempest Control App (TCA), providing redundancy and enabling remote and dual-operator use.
Mutos said, “It’s crucial to have redundancy, but because we don’t have a lot of space in the audio room, this setup means we can do a lot in a very compact footprint. Sometimes we need to have two mixers for home and international mixes, sometimes we might need a sub mixer, and this gives us the space to do both. It delivers a more compact, flexible, and cost-effective solution, and it is perfectly suited to OB4’s audio cabin.”
With systems still under development, Stop & Go plans to open a new remote facility in addition to its Toulouse operations centre next year.
Philippe Guerinet, director of international sales at SSL, said, “The live broadcast market is evolving quickly, and it is vital that we give broadcasters the ability to pivot to wherever their customers choose to go. System T’s comprehensive Audio over IP support – including ST 2110-30 (with NMOS IS-04/05), AES67 and Dante – have made setup and management simple for Stop & Go. It’s our job to help customers like Stop & Go to cater for these changing needs, and it is technical partnerships like this that help us to keep ahead of industry requirements.”
