Scrub, HHB Communication’s London/Soho-based subsidiary, has provided London’s Absolute Radio with the latest Avid Pro Tools software and hardware as part of the station’s latest upgrade.
According to HHB, the station’s Studio C now features a Pro Tools HD Native Thunderbolt system with an HD MADI interface, while three other studios are now utilizing version 11 software with new iMacs, MBox Pro interfaces and Artist Series controllers.
Scrub sales and technical staff supplied, configured and installed the new systems and provided extensive training for the station’s producers.
Absolute Radio’s Head of Broadcast Technology and IT Dean Woodcock explains that the new offline bounce feature was a major factor in switching to Pro Tools. “Our producers are often expected to turn around content in minutes, so the faster-than-real-time offline bounce is essential when they are working on the station’s branded content.”
Dean adds that the plug-ins bundled with version 11 have been integral to the live, acoustic sessions recorded at the station, most recently with Beady Eye and Franz Ferdinand. “We are able to record 24 tracks of audio in Studio C with the HD MADI interface feeding into Pro Tools. We also have a Thunderbolt connection for ultrafast processing. Pro Tools’ built-in plug-ins provide most of what we need to produce great sounding recordings. We have seven stations under our umbrella and they are all benefiting from the enhanced workflow and sound quality of Pro Tools 11,” he said.
“Scrub provided training for the engineers and went out of their way to help us with the transition to Pro Tools, and they have continued to help us with technical support after the sale. It is great having them just around the corner because it means we don’t have to fix things over the phone or online; they can just pop in and help us with any queries in person. Scrub has been brilliant throughout the process and we are very happy with their service.”
