Calrec console has right ‘Spirit’ for Dome HD truck

Dome Productions has selected a Calrec Sigma console with Bluefin High Density Signal Processing (HDSP) technology for its newest mobile unit. “Spirit,” the new Dome mobile unit in which the Calrec Sigma console resides, is a self-contained 53-foot Gerling-built trailer, suitable for broadcasting regional sporting events, comedy and jazz festivals, and major league baseball games where on-site space is sometimes limited.

Dome has debuted a new HD mobile unit in each of the past four years, and the preceding three trucks all carry Calrec’s larger Alpha audio console. While the Sigma’s size is modest, its features are not. The 56-fader console provides 320 channel processing paths packaged as 108 stereo and 104 mono channels on a single DSP card, with full EQ and dynamics on all channels, groups, and main outputs. This enables up to 52 full 5.1 surround-sound channels.

“We are very pleased to include another Calrec console in the build of our newest mobile unit. The Sigma’s reliability and performance has been excellent,” said Mike Johnson, director of engineering for Dome Productions. “The improvement in defining surround channels is a terrific feature in support of our clients’ efforts to raise the level of their audio production. Calrec’s implementation of the Surround Spill panel is simply another example of great design, making the console very easy to operate.”

Dome also selected Calrec because its boards have become the audio consoles of choice for broadcast, whether in the studio or in the truck. That means freelance audio operators are instantly familiar with them and can step in and get to work immediately. Also, like all Calrec audio consoles made today, the Sigma’s functionality is software-based, making upgrades easy.

Dome Productions’ “Spirit” joined its HD siblings “Trillium,” “Majestic,” and “Horizon” on the road Sept. 28.