Calrec Hydra2

The new interfaces are designed to enable Calrec consoles to integrate with automated production systems, including those provided by Grass Valley, Sony, Ross, and Snell. Further software integration is designed to enable router control of the Calrec Hydra2 network, eliminating the need for a separate audio routing device in various situations.

With the new software interfaces, Calrec Audio consoles and the video production switcher are linked so that a single operator at the switcher can control both. While the operator cannot take full advantage of all the audio console’s capabilities, he or she can control fader levels, PFL, cuts, auxiliary sends, and other parameters. A key advantage for a broadcaster is the ability to go live any time, day or night, even without a full crew in the studio.

The Calrec Hydra2 network system works with Calrec’s Artemis and Apollo audio consoles, linking the control of the DSP processing engine, and remotely located I/O to the high-capacity 8192 × 8192 router.

Now that Hydra2 supports industry-standard routing protocols, its crosspoints can be controlled by video routing software — transforming Hydra2 into an audio router. Integration means video and audio share a single control system, so that large patch bays can be replaced with a strand of Cat-5 cable.

In addition, Hydra2 now supports the EMBER self-discovering protocol, which is designed to enable effective and customized integration of Calrec devices with broadcast control systems such as Colledia and VSM. Relying on EMBER, the control system can assess Hydra2's I/O, rename and edit individual inputs and outputs, and even tell the mixing console to store and deploy desk memories, the company says.

Further information about Calrec Audio products is available at www.calrec.com.