Yale Athletics, which partners with ESPN+ to broadcast 21 of the university’s varsity sports and produces up to 200 live events annually, recently started adding video boards to its productions that are now supported by contemporary audio capabilities incorporating Studio Technologies components.
According to Evan Ellis, video producer for the production team, the Yale Bowl — the school’s 107-year-old football stadium — had no infrastructure besides a landline telephone. The production crew began by adding single-mode fiber cable to deliver camera feeds between the Yale Bowl and the control room, located across the street in the school’s soccer and lacrosse stadium.
However, the production still lacked an effective intercom connection between production and on-field personnel. Ellis connected with Studio Technologies and began building out a Dante audio workflow using Ethernet transported over its new fiber infrastructure.
“We have more functionality with just four strands of fiber than if we had implemented an analog setup,” said Ellis. “By using a Dante-based workflow and Studio Technologies products, we avoided the need for hundreds of feet of wire, and really streamlined our audio and comms workflow.”
This started with the Model 5422A Dante intercom audio engine to establish intercom circuits with Dante-compatible products. Ellis notes the unit’s 64 input and output channels allow him to manage more complex productions than a more-standard four-channel analog setup. “I can access our camera, production, and marketing channels, and send them wherever they need to keep everyone in communication,” Ellis says. “In terms of audio quality and ease of setup, it’s second to none.”
Meanwhile, a Model 348 intercom station in the control room allows Ellis to monitor all live channels as well as direct channels with specific production personnel. He employs a suite of resources for on-field talent, including the Model 205 announcer’s console for talent cueing and dual talkback as well as Model 371A, Model 373A, and Model 374A intercom beltpacks to provide direct access to live program audio.
“We’re giving our staff something they’ve never had before — clear, instantaneous communication,” Ellis concludes. “We have direct control of everything on the field and behind the scenes, and it’s made our lives so much easier.”
