Canford Source Material Mag - Issue 7 (2021-2022)

canford.co.uk

SEVENTH

EDITION

A Canford Production

CBP009416

IT’S GOOD TO BE BACK Canford Celebrates 45th Anniversary in 2021

Leading event production company commissions array of Custom Manufactured Solutions from Canford

Canford panels integral to the successful broadcast of Euro 2020 tournament

REDEFINING POWER DISTRIBUTION SOLUTIONS • THEATRE • LIVE EVENTS • TOURING • BROADCAST •

• S pace saving 1U compact designs • Wide selection of locking connector options • Overcurrent protection • High-contrast power status indicators • Upgraded 16A & 32A 2U C-Series • A ll-new E621 & E622 Floor Boxes for on-stage applications

CONTACT OUR SALES TEAM FOR MORE INFORMATION UK sales t: +44 (0)191 4181122 e: sales@canford.co.uk Int sales t: +44 (0)191 4181133 e: international@canford.co.uk www.canford.co.uk/EMO

2021-2022

Welcome to the SEVENTH edition! Since its launch we have printed and distributed around 120,000 copies of Source Material. This year we are sending 29,700 magazines which will be accompanied by the infamous Canford Year Planner. We are also providing a digital version. This is distributed via email to approximately 34,000 contacts.

Canford never buys (or sells!) contact data. So these are more than just huge numbers. They represent you. Our customers. If you are reading this, you can rest assured you are in good company! And on behalf of the entire team I’d like to take this opportunity to thank you once again for your custom throughout 2021.

It has been an eventful year, but thankfully at the time of writing this it seems like the worst of whatever the pandemic could throw at us has passed, and we move on.

Canford celebrated its 45th anniversary during the summer and we were proud to see many of our products deployed at Euro 2020. We strengthened our team and it is great to see the return of live events and in-person trade shows.

We got through it. Together! And I like to think we came out stronger for the experience.

Stephen Gallagher, Canford Marketing Manager Are your details up to date? We are continually developing and fine tuning our marketing activity to ensure that we share appropriate information, relevant to your industry sector and specialism.

To help us improve our communication with you, please let us know any updates to your details by emailing marketing@ canford.co.uk. Thank You.

years

ANNIVERSARY

Call International sales on +44(0)191 418 1133 or email international@canford.co.uk

Source Material by Canford | 3

2

EMO - Redefining Power Distribution Solutions

3

Introduction

6

Canford celebrates 45th Anniversary

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Canford is pleased to announce the appointment of Ian Sadler as it moves to strategically strengthen its successful business development team.

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Canford panels integral to the successful broadcast of Euro 2020 tournament

The catalogue would understandably be among the first things to spring to the mind of long-standing Canford customers...

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13

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Canford in the Community More than Music

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Research suggests that the ear canal and tympanic membrane (ear drum) as a more reliable part of the human body to monitor health rather than the wrist...

PAG offers smaller, more sustainable linking batteries

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Lets Network

In recent years Canford has enhanced its reputation as the supplier of choice for custom metalwork...

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Audio networking has never been easier or more affordable

Malvicino Design Group

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Key Features For Green-Go V5

Longstanding Canford customer Malvicino Design Group is a design and consulting firm specialising in innovative architectural, acoustical, and technical systems design...

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Green-Go V5 Built from the ground up from the success and eventual limitations of version 4, Green-Go version 5 looks set to provide a positive platform for progression...

Neutrik Group

Neutrik Group Restructures as a Global MultiBrand Organisation In a major reorganisation of its global operations the Neutrik Group has restructured as a multi-brand company with an extended portfolio of products...

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If we’ve learnt one thing over the last 18 months it’s the importance of networks...

Personalised custom metalwork from Canford

Rean - The smart way to connect Dante - Innovative Solutions

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Gravity Media, a leading global provider of complex live broadcast facilities and production services to content owners, creators and distributors, utilised Canford manufactured termination panels and custom racking throughout its Euro 2020 Technical Operation Centres...

How dock10 is helping to reduce the Carbon Footprint of Production

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With transceiver distances dependant on the products we wish to use, how do we route this information efficiently?

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Why a Yellobrik isn’t just a Brick Originally conceived as economical and convenient ‘glue’ to add some basic standalone functionality and fibre or format conversion to the periphery of a larger system, the now ubiquitous yellobrik functionality continues to grow...

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Albert is an environmental organisation that is encouraging the television and film industry to reduce waste and minimise its carbon footprint...

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Knowing Your Nodes

LEN: Equipment Protection for 12G cameras Protecting your investment and so much more !

LEN Galvanic Isolators have an excellent reputation for completely protecting equipment input video feeds...

A Year Like No Other

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LEN - Broadcast Video Solutions...

As we come to the end of what has been another very strange year I’m pleased to say we have come through it fairly well and are all back to doing what we do best...

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Muxlab offers a wide range of software and products to enhance your business

4 | Source Material by Canford

Call UK sales on +44(0)191 418 1122 or email sales@canford.co.uk

CONTENTS 39

Professionals requiring leading-edge signal extension in the broadcast environment have some unique new options, courtesy of MuxLab.

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Your first choice for Cables & Connectivity With over three thousand different products, Lindy is your go to resource for cables and connection technologies.

SMPTE’s development of ST-2110 for the transport of AV over an IP network in a broadcast environment is a game changer...

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K&M BIO-BASED PLASTICS

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Ready Made Cable Service

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BIO-BASED PLASTICS – questions and answers:

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Shure’s Axient Digital Wireless system, a mainstay in the touring and theatre industry is now completing the picture for Broadcast audio with the introduction of the new ADX5D portable receiver.

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SAM-Q-SDI: Choose how you want to work

The best solutions for cable chaos

Bio-based plastic is not a new invention, surprising as that may be. The first industrially produced plastic (1869) was a bioplastic – celluloid...

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Canford Broadcast Infrastructure Solutions Deliver a Winning Performance at Euro 2020

Advances in technology are enabling the creation of ever more exciting content, as well as serving to increase new possibilities in content delivery.

Canford are proud to have supplied many of the Broadcast Infrastructure Solutions that were critical in bringing all the Euro 2020 live games to audiences around the world...

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Fibreco HMA Terminations

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Balancing The Books You may have noticed since our fourth edition of Source Material, we have featured the ‘World Land Trust’ logo on the front cover. But what does it mean…

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TSL - Audio Monitoring without compromise

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UK Touring and Live Events STATE OF THE NATION – An update...

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Leading Event Production Company commissions array of Custom Manufactured Solution from Canford

No Dispute Interview Recording

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You can take the lad out of Yorkshire….

DPA microphones

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Panamic Carbon Fibre Poles

NEAL

Poles are hand-crafted in the UK from the highest quality carbon fibre...

Unmatched sound meets award-winning design...

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It’s all about Control

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Glensound Divine - Network Audio Dante/AES67 Monitor Speaker

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Canford investment guarantees future of popular stagebox design The outlook for this popular trapezoid stagebox system has been given a significant boost as Canford improves design and makes substantial manufacturing investment...

The World’s Most Precocious Speaker The Divine is a small, un-assuming looking speaker, and at first glance doesn’t look too unusual…. until you get into the details.

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Rip-Tie

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Tecpro Reliable Wired Intercom.

Noise Cancelling Headphones from Lindy Introducing Lindy BNX. The multi-award winning wireless noise cancelling headphones that deliver outstanding performance at an affordable price.

Call International sales on +44(0)191 418 1133 or email international@canford.co.uk

Source Material by Canford | 5

Canford celebrates 45th Anniversary

By Stephen Gallagher, Canford Marketing Manager

The catalogue would understandably be among the first things to spring to the mind of long-standing Canford customers.

Sometimes known fondly as the ‘industry bible’ the Canford catalogue grew from a mere 24 pages in 1981 to a 2kg, 1500page encyclopaedia of broadcast and pro audio must-have essentials by 2010.

Fast forward to July 2021 and Canford is celebrating its 45th anniversary. A ‘Sapphire’ achievement which ‘the big blue book’ played a critical part in helping the North East business to reach.

After graduating from Durham University with a degree in engineering, and several vacations spent in various BBC local radio stations, Iain Elliott was in at the start of commercial radio at Newcastle based Metro Radio in 1974. At the time, Metro was one of only six commercial radio stations in the UK. “ All pioneering stuff, an exciting time to be working in the industry”.

There was no specialist source for the ‘bits and pieces’ of equipment a radio station would need, and therefore a market to explore and a business to create. Never for one moment did Iain anticipate that Canford would evolve into a £17m turnover business employing 140 people.

Talking to KitPlus in a recent video interview, Iain explained some of the early principles behind Canford: 6 | Source Material by Canford

“ We wouldn’t be just a box shifter. Canford would contribute ‘original thought and innovation’ and we have remained that way to this day. About 40% of what we do is our own manufactured product.”

Manufacturing has always been at the core of Canford. The very first product was born out of frustrations with badly labelled news cuts on NAB carts leading to on-air gaffes – so the printed NAB cartridge labels emerged. Other very early products were the On-Air Illuminated Signs and AcousticTables.

“About 40% of what we do is our own manufactured product.”

Iain Elliott, Canford Founder and CEO

At Canford’s 20th birthday in 1996 came the most complex products, the iconic NEAL range of interview recorders. The company continues to invest in all three of its production sites - fibre termination and the electronic assembly units in the Washington,Tyne and Wear headquarters, and the metalwork manufacturing located in Portland, Dorset.

Call UK sales on +44(0)191 418 1122 or email sales@canford.co.uk

years

ANNIVERSARY

In recent years Canford has enhanced its reputation as the supplier of choice for custom metalwork in the broadcast, live events and touring markets. Canford is architectspecified for audio and video connection points in many of the highest profile sports stadiums in both Europe and the Middle East, as well as theatres and conference facilities.

This sustained growth supports continued investment in Canford’s manufacturing capabilities.

Speaking about the staff Iain said: “ The team behind Canford is crucial. I have always had a belief in the talents of young people and right from the beginning we have employed straight from school or college. We still do that today through apprenticeships and similar schemes.”

A recent count found that Canford has almost 2000 person years currently in the company. Iain explains: “ That really helps the business as we have so much knowledge there and experience that is relevant. Our team is able to have sensible conversations with customers whenever they want something which isn’t quite off-the-shelf, or they’ve got a specialist application and need advice on how to do things.

We’ve got the skills to design solutions.”

During 2019 Canford was transferred to an Employee Ownership Trust (EOT), to be run for the long-term benefit of the present and future employees. The founding principles of the trust were of great importance to Iain: “ The Trust Deed ensures that Canford cannot be touched for 125 years - it cannot be moved away from the North East or sold. This was so important to me because of the team and all the families we have in the business who have been with us for so long. They absolutely know how to run the company, retain the unique character, look after customers and how to continue developing it.”

Canford Employee Ownership Trust Canford Group (including Canford Audio), based in Washington, has been transferred to an Employee Ownership Trust (EOT), to be run for the long-term benefit of present and future employees.

The Group has been manufacturing and supplying professional audio equipment to the broadcasting and AV industries since the 1970s, and recently added fibre cable termination to its range of services which will be a source of growth in the next few years. Canford now employs 136 people – mainly in North East England, but with some staff on the Isle of Portland, in France and in the Middle East.

Employee Ownership Trusts in their present form were introduced in 2013, by the then Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg, during the coalition government.

The idea has been around for a long time, with the John Lewis Partnership the most famous example. In recent months Aardman, the animation studio behind Wallace and Gromit, and the hi-fi and TV retail chain Richer Sounds have joined UK firms embracing employee ownership.

Canford founder and CEO, Iain Elliott, says that the new trust will be guided by principles including continuation of the business with a significant presence in the North East. Canford will continue to run on commercial lines - ultimately, though, for the benefit of employees and their families.

Iain Elliott, Canford Founder and CEO

Call International sales on +44(0)191 418 1133 or email international@canford.co.uk

Source Material by Canford | 7

Canford in the

COMMUNITY

By John Slider, Canford Community Ambassador

I think it’s fair to say that the pandemic has affected all of our lives and daily activities and none more so than in the field of education. It may well be some considerable time before the true effects on the wellbeing of our children’s education is known.

In my role as Canford’s “Community Ambassador” I have witnessed first-hand the challenges faced by our schools and educational establishments and have been astounded by their resilience in continuing to deliver lessons both in class and remotely.

You may know that in previous years Canford participated in a number of activities with the Engineering Development Trust (EDT) which is a dedicated nationwide charity that delivers a number of key programs designed to enhance students understanding of industry.

One such program was the Go4SET which partnered Canford with local schools such as Biddick Academy, St Roberts of Newminster, Seatonburn College and Monkseaton Academy to name but a few. The programs involved pupils from each school in some form of engineering project where Canford acted as their adviser and mentor. This involved visiting the schools on a weekly basis to meet with the students and their teacher and to monitor the progress of the project.

During each project the students were invited to spend a day in Canford to meet with selected departmental managers and to gain an understanding of all the various career paths within a manufacturing and distribution 8 | Source Material by Canford

company. At the end of the project the students would submit their project to the National body who would decide the winners in a variety of categories.

Well this year EDT decided to rebrand the Go4SET program which is now known as the Bronze Industrial Cadets Program which due to the pandemic was to be delivered virtually! This had far reaching consequences as it meant the program could be delivered nationally with no geographical boundaries being applied.

Basically this meant that Canford could be partnered with schools in any part of the country but after careful consideration we informed EDT that our preference was to continue to partner schools in our local community and hence we were partnered with Newcastle High School for Girls.

The program began in January and my fears as to how it would work on a virtual platform were quickly dispelled as the technology allowed me to “meet” with the teacher and the pupils in their own homes on a weekly basis. The girls themselves were magnificent not only attending our weekly meetings but also putting in a great deal of additional work over the weekends.

They chose an environmental project and at times were ably supported by John Driver our Design Manager and Mark Brindley our Operations Director with all encounters taking place on the ZOOM platform. Although they put together an excellent project document they did not feature among the national winners of the awards.

Call UK sales on +44(0)191 418 1122 or email sales@canford.co.uk

The national awards which involved hundreds of schools from around the UK took place in July with Canford sponsoring both the Best Teamwork and Determination Awards which were won by The Matthew Arnold School from Oxford and the Harris Garrard Academy from Kent.

Canford was in some elite company as a sponsor alongside such companies as Rolls Royce, BAE Systems and the RAF to name but a few. Our awards were presented by Iain Elliott our CEO who also gave an excellent presentation on Canford and its business activities. I think Iain was genuinely surprised at the scale of the competition especially the sheer number of schools taking part.

The only disappointment was that the students from Newcastle High School could not visit Canford due to the pandemic but Stephen Gallagher made up for this by providing a multitude of YouTube videos showing the students what goes on within our factories.

Educational Diversity For the first time we were asked to participate in an Educational Diversity Initiative which involved engaging with pupils from the UK’s largest Pupil Referral Unit.

These are pupils who have been excluded from main stream education for a variety of reasons such as social, emotional, behavioural or medical difficulties.

We were partnered with the unit that deals with serious behavioural problems with students in the 14 to 16 year old category. Two teams each comprising of 6 students were given an engineering project to complete over a three day period.

Representing Canford my role was to act as an Industry Expert and to assess each project and to select winners in various categories such as Teamwork. I was advised that the students may not engage with me and that I may face a blank screen given the presentations were being delivered on the TEAMS platform.

I was also advised that my role was to boost confidence levels rather than concentrating on the technical merits of their work. As it turned out one team did an excellent presentation while the other would not meet with me relying on their teachers to make the presentation on their behalf.

“Canford rightly prides itself on the technical expertise of its design and engineering teams and for the past two years has been heavily involved with the Arkwright Engineering Scholarship Program”.

John Slider

The Future of Engineering Canford rightly prides itself on the technical expertise of its design and engineering teams and for the past two years has been heavily involved with the Arkwright Engineering Scholarship Program.

These scholarships are awarded to 16 year old students who go through a rigorous selection process which supports them through their A Levels or equivalent qualification. Each scholarship is funded by a commercial company, a university or a branch of the armed services. This means support can be offered in a variety of ways such as hands on experience.

Applications are accepted from schools throughout the four countries of the UK and literally hundreds of applications are received annually. Over the past 30 years 6,000 scholarships have been awarded with over 30% being awarded to females.

To be a successful applicant you must have your application endorsed by your school, then sit a two hour aptitude exam followed by a 30 minute interview by a team of assessors.

Only around 20% of applicants are finally accepted.

Canford’s participation to date has been to volunteer my services as an assessor and a mentor. I spend three or four days attending various universities around the country where the exams and interviews take place. This year all interviews were conducted virtually on the TEAMS platform.

At the interview the candidates present an engineering project which they have completed and are given 10 minutes to explain the content and then they face questions from the assessors. Frankly the quality of projects is mind blowing and if this is a sample of the engineers of the future then the UK is in excellent hands!

Hopefully Canford will be able to offer some placements in the coming years that not only will benefit the student but also our company.

I must say that the content of both presentations was to a very high standard and I sincerely hope that the presentation I made to them on Canford and manufacturing companies in general will inspire them to pursue qualifications that will enable them to re-enter full time education and hopefully the world of work.

Finally I have to end on a sad note. This year due to the pandemic we have not been able to participate in Teacher Externships where teachers can visit Canford and learn about careers in manufacturing and engineering plus I normally visit 10 to 15 local schools giving presentations on Canford and STEM careers.

This kind of engagement makes one realise just how lucky some of us are.

Hopefully we will be able to get back to some kind of normality in the near future.

Call International sales on +44(0)191 418 1133 or email international@canford.co.uk

Source Material by Canford | 9

More than Music

By Paul Power, Technical Support Engineer

In the UK It is estimated that around 4.3 million people used Apple headphones and earphones, with Sony and Beats being ranked second and third respectively. In-ear devices were the most popular in 2018 with around 14.9 million people in the UK using these devices and the global market size was valued at $21.2 billion and is projected to reach $93.9 billion by 2026, see https://bwnews.pr/3BIyoFl. The majority of smartphone users rely on headphones to listen to music with wireless earbuds growing in popularity due to their size and the inclusion of a number of facilities like Google assistant, noise cancelling, hear through technologies that allow listeners to blend in their surrounding acoustic environment and the convenience factor when exercising.

Health & Fitness Monitoring Research suggests that the ear canal and tympanic membrane (ear drum) are more reliable than the wrist for monitoring human body health. The reasons for this are that the inner ear is darker, which helps as infrared light is used to measure vital functions. It is closer to the main arteries and central nervous system, see https://bit.ly/3q7twYu, which are involved in the blood supply to the tympanic membrane and ultimately the brain. Whereas smartwatches have muscles, movement when exercising and sweat to negotiate, the consequence of this is that the watch does not fit tightly which can lead to erroneous measurement output.

Biometric Sensors Hearables are classed as any device which hangs on or goes into the ear and includes microprocessors for advanced functions. These devices provide a number of facilities and as you would expect the main one is listening to music. But also

allow the users to mix the music with the sounds going on around them. In most situations we want to put headphones on to provide some escape from reality, but, there are instances when we require situational awareness, for example, when we are out and about near traffic or waiting for a flight and need to hear important announcements or even at work where we need to communicate with colleagues. The company Nuhera has developed hearables that allow users to do just this and they call this augmented hearing. Further, the hearables also allow for a kind of selective noise cancelling, for example you could be on a noisy bus and are trying to have a conversation with another passenger but are struggling to hear what they are saying, but with hearables you can selectively cancel the noise and enhance the speech, in a similar manner to how our ear can filter out what is going on around us when we are at a

10 | Source Material by Canford

Call UK sales on +44(0)191 418 1122 or email sales@canford.co.uk

party for example, a phenomenon called the cocktail party effect. Other requirements for hearables in an industrial setting may also be to provide passive and active hearing protection to relevant standards, but at the same time allow situational awareness and the ability to communicate with colleagues, one such product that features this is the Novo Natural Vario which provides passive and active attenuation and situational awareness to allow communication, but also provide hearing protection and will be available from Canford very shortly.

Blurring of Lines between Hearing Aids and Earphones The NHS in England have now followed the lead of Scotland and created an Audiological equipment, services and related consumables framework with a hearable related category.This allows patients with mild to moderate hearing problems to access these devices providing evidence that hearables are more than just a gimmick, but actually a means to help people with hearing problems and lessen the stigma of using hearing aids.

learned the audio profile of their speech so will turn down the rest of the chatter and focus only on your friends voice.

Hearables will be able to carry out the aforementioned tasks utilising machine learning, this will also allow them to learn from your vital signs what your baseline vital functions are. From this they will then be able to detect changes in your health and possibly even the onset of illness. For example IBM https:// ibm.co/2ZYIgxV found that they could predict the onset of schizophrenia with 83% accuracy from speech patterns of at-risk patients, other research has found that with the use of a speech fingerprint it could be used to detect the early onset of coronary disease or Parkinson’s disease, see https:// bit.ly/2YdYQJk. In the future these detection methods could be incorporated into hearables. Mobile phones are an ideal platform to run high performance machine learning algorithms or with further development of fast 5G mobile phone connections run algorithms in the cloud.

At the moment users of hearables have to manually adjust the settings to suit, but future developments could provide augmentation of an environment utilising Google maps and GPS. This could for example provide a personalized experience which could also include binaural rendering using the listeners own personal head related transfer function (PHRTF), which is essentially how the listeners head, pinna and torso affect the impinging soundwave, this could be used so that sounds can be convincingly localised around the listener and movements of the head would be tracked so that sounds stay in the correct positions. Currently Apple AirPods pro can provide head tracking and Apple’s version of immersive audio when used with supported content like Apple Music. Machine learning could also be used to programme the hearables to remove unwanted loud impulsive sounds.

Developments are underway so that in the future hearables will be able to measure the amount of oxygen in your blood using infrared light to facilitate a blood oxygen saturation measure known as SpO2. This can be useful for surveying lung conditions, sleep apnea and individuals with cardiac problems.

Infrared light can also measure pulse and blood pressure. With blood pressure providing an indication of the users health and can provide an indication of their stress levels..

Machine Learning The use of blood pressure, oxygen saturation and heart rate can not only be used to monitor the user’s health, but can also be combined with the interaction of everyday tasks. For example the hearable could detect a sudden increase in heart rate and blood pressure relating to increased mental effort when trying to hear a friend for example in a noisy room, from previous encounters with your friend the device will have

Sound Personalisation As we age our hearing naturally deteriorates whether we look after it or not through a process called presbycusis, but hearing can also be damaged from short or prolonged exposure to noise or loud music. As a result of this we all hear differently; a company called Mimi has a unique

Call International sales on +44(0)191 418 1133 or email international@canford.co.uk

Source Material by Canford | 11

sound personalisation algorithm that measures your hearing function using an app which is run on a smartphone to determine how well you hear certain sounds. Using a sequence of tones played into your ear, a small sensitive microphone measures the response coming back from the cochlea. These responses are known as otoacoustic emissions and along with pure tone threshold, which measures the quietest tone that you can hear, can assist in creating a profile of your hearing health. Mimi also incorporate a further test which is called the masked threshold test; this tests what the quietest tone a listener can hear in the presence of noise which is used to gauge how well the users can hear someone talking to them in a noisy room. This information can then be used to tailor the sound output from the earplugs for music, enhancing hearing and listening in busy soundscapes.

Wire Free All Hearables are cable free and rely on Bluetooth for connection to devices which is good for convenience but what about sound quality? Bluetooth connections utilise lossy compression to stream music from device to earphones, in a similar manner to that of the MP3 format which utilises perceptual coding, cleverly removing information that the ear cannot pick up. The baseline codec for Bluetooth standard audio is SBC (subband coding) this breaks the signal into a number of different frequency bands and processes these separately based on the energy contained in each of the bands, it then uses a psychoacoustic model to create masking thresholds, which is essentially how much a specific frequency can be heard in the presence of another frequency in order to discard information that the ear cannot hear. The SBC codec was superseded in 2020 and the Bluetooth standard now uses LC3 (low complexity

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communications codec), a codec developed by Fraunhofer IIS and Ericsson, LC3 is said to provide improved audio quality over the SBC codec. Although SBC and LC3 are now the baseline for Bluetooth audio, however manufacturers of hearables are free to develop their own codecs to suit.

For example the Aptx codec from Qualcomm is the most common and there are several variants of this codec:

Aptx 352 Kbps

Aptx HD 576 Kbps

Aptx Adaptive 270-420 Kbps

Aptx Lossless 120Kbps- >1Mbps

The most recent iteration of the Aptx codec range is the Aptx Lossless, this is claimed to provide a bit identical 16bit 44.1kHz CD playback over Bluetooth dependent on RF conditions in the listening environment, whereas the previous iterations could not provide this.

Many Features in a Small Package To cater for hearables and other connected technologies the classic Bluetooth which has been in use for at least two decades has recently been updated. The classic Bluetooth handles 79 channels in the 2.4 GHz spectrum and has been used exclusively for point to point streaming between smart speakers, headphones and in-car audio. But to cope with the demands of future technologies Bluetooth LE has been enhanced to provide low power audio; this will become more relevant with future developments in devices like hearables. For example, it will allow a single pair of hearables to connect to several devices at once without the need to change connections and will allow switching between them with less artefacts, stream audio from these devices allowing you to interact with Google Alexa, listen to music and make a phone call. It will also allow Bluetooth to be used to broadcast audio to multiple hearing aid users within a room, say for example in the cinema. Bluetooth LE audio is far more efficient than Bluetooth using SBC coding, a good audio comparison of SBC and LC3 can be heard https://bit.ly/3wfH19j, as a result battery and processor size can be reduced without compromising on powering and signal processing which is an ideal scenario for the future development of hearables and their functions.

Call UK sales on +44(0)191 418 1122 or email sales@canford.co.uk

Personalised custom

metalwork from Canford In recent years Canford has enhanced its reputation as the supplier of choice for custom metalwork But, did you know - in addition to having custom solutions designed and built to your exact requirements, our in-house team can add branding with your company name, logo and contact details.

“Thank you again for your help with our metalwork over the past year. We have been delighted with how you have seamlessly been able to produce the metalwork we had produced elsewhere in the past.”

James Bate,TTL Video

“Our relationship with Canford is invaluable. They are more than just another supplier. There is no room for error with our projects and the team at Canford have contributed an enormous amount towards the design and development of so many custom solutions.”

Pete Dinnes, Gravity Media Installation Director

CUSTOM LASER ENGRAVING SERVICE

CUSTOM SCREEN PRINTING SERVICE

Equipped with both CO2 and fibre technology the Canford in-house, state of the art, laser engraving machine can mark or engrave a wide range of materials and finishes including anodised aluminium, stainless steel, powder coated steel/ aluminium, plastics, laminates and wood.

Using high-quality rack blanks manufactured in house, Canford offers a custom screen-printing service which helps customers to personalise any installation with their own branded product.

The flexibility of the process means that company logos, contact detail, website information and available services can be incorporated on the panel, printed in multiple colours to defined Pantone references. Not only are these panels ideal for providing useful information to the end user but also offer additional cost effective marketing to the installer.

The process is not limited to simple text, but can also incorporate intricate company logos and other graphics. With a working area of 1000mm x 610mm the machine is able to accommodate most requirements and is ideal for permanent labelling of all types of panels and plates, be they Canford standard products or custom designs. Coloured infilling is an option where suitable.

For more information or a quotation please contact the custom metalwork team via custommetal@canford.co.uk

Our custom screen-printing service is ideally suited to single or multiple colour applications where the volumes are higher (20+) and the print remains the same across the entire batch.

For more information visit canford.co.uk/CANFORDCUSTOM-SCREEN-PRINTED-RACK-PANELS

Call International sales on +44(0)191 418 1133 or email international@canford.co.uk

Source Material by Canford | 13

MALVICINO DESIGN GROUP

By Stephen Gallagher, Canford Marketing Manager and Horacio Malvicino, Managing Director of Malvicino Design Group Longstanding Canford customer Malvicino Design Group is a design and consulting firm specialising in innovative architectural, acoustical, and technical systems design. Headquartered in Manhattan, New York, USA with a manufacturing facility in Europe, the company has amassed an unrivalled level of experience in its field.

Founded by Acoustic Designer and System Integrator Horacio Malvicino, who fine-tuned his knowledge while running the technical division at The Hit Factory. A highpressure engineering role that would see the Massachusetts Institute of Technology graduate repairing kit and preparing studios for famous clientele, and where he once simultaneously ran studios for Neil Young, Bruce Springsteen and Paul Simon.

Malvicino Design Group has completed in excess of 300 projects around the globe. The skilled team has truly established the firm as industry leaders. The company has an enviable résumé which includes world-class projects for clients such as Sony Music Studios – Miami and Capitol Studios – LA, alongside customised solutions for Whitney Houston, Celine Dion, Steely Dan, Alicia Keys, the Scissor Sisters and Sting to name just a few.

and Television. Described by Horacio as ‘an interesting place to go’, where site visits involved flights that would dip and dive to avoid incoming RPG fire!

In an exclusive Q&A for Canford’s Source Material, Canford Marketing Manager Stephen Gallagher caught up with Horacio Malvicino to find out more about the man behind Malvicino Design Group, learn where it all began and ask what the future holds:

Beyond recording studios and postproduction workspaces Malvicino Design Group delivers facilities for broadcasters around the world. Broadcast projects have included a TV studio overlooking the Giza Pyramids in Cairo for ART. Another memorable project commissioned by Sony saw Malvicino lead his team to Iraq. The team would deliver a recording facility and post production rooms for Iraq Radio

Your career, and the work of Malvicino Design Group has been nothing short of impressive.

Where did it all begin? Could you provide an introduction for yourself?

My lifelong dream was to become a professional tennis player. I started playing at an early age locally and then travelling to nationals. As you can imagine, it didn’t go that well with my parents. While I was doing pretty good my parents thought that it was a dead end street, so my only option was to give college a try. I come from a family of musicians. My Dad has been a guitar player and mostly made a living scoring orchestras for a vast array of artists.

For that reason, I started spending time in recording studios, especially RCA studios (where my Dad was a staff producer for the label) at a very early age. By the late 60’s I was

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Call UK sales on +44(0)191 418 1122 or email sales@canford.co.uk

sleeping under a Neve console regularly. I always had a thing for studios, music (I played drums) and being around the recording process. When the tennis was a no go from my parents, and college was the way they mapped for me, I thought electronics was probably the way to go. I always had a thing for gear, electronics and the studio, so I decided that electronics was going to be a path to freedom!

well as RCA studios were a battlefield test for me. I know a lot of electronics, but the application to all this special gear was a process to be reckoned with. At Soundtrack I was in charge of the whole facility, 8 large recording studios. I learned everything in this place, going in at 6 am to have the studios ready to start recording at 9 am, all studios at the same time - it was a real trip.

I understand you studied electronics at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).

How did that come about?

My idea back in high school was to go to school in the US. Since I was a little kid my parents would bring me to the US, and I fell in love with NYC. In the 70’s NYC was a melting pot of music. Jazz clubs everywhere, concerts, pretty much everything that you might want at your fingertips. I started looking for schools to study electronics and came across MIT. It was and still is a great school, completely detached from music, but in a great town (Boston) surrounded by music (Berkley School of Music), so it was the perfect combination.

I was a superb student in high school, so with a combination of great grades and some kick ass SAT’s I got in.

Already working alongside the biggest names in the business, what led to you forming Malvicino Design Group?

My boss at Soundtrack, Rob Caviccio, is the person that I have to thank for being where I am. At the peak of my job one day he called me into his office and gave me a speech.

He basically told me the following: You are at the top of the food chain and at this place, it is as far as you are going to go.

I give you three months, put a small company together and start working on your own! He pushed me and even today I am grateful!

Did you always want to get into the music business?

It never crossed my mind becoming a professional musician.

I love music, love playing drums and being around the environment, but making a living out of playing music, not my thing.

What brought you to New York?

When I completed college, companies from all over the US come to MIT to scout for brainiacs. Most of the students get jobs at GE, Siemens, NASA, big technology companies!

That was not for me, I am not the type of guy that will work well in a corporate/ engineering environment, so I asked my dad for some leads in recording studios that he had worked in NYC. He gave me a bunch of leads, I took a train back to NYC and started looking for a job where I could apply some of my electronics background.

What do clients get/what should they expect when they come to Malvicino Design Group?

Because of all the time that I spent in studios, I have a full background not only in system integration and installation as well as acoustic design. To our clients, we provide a full service, from designing the space, documenting the acoustic design, developing the system integration, manufacturing all of the wiring and completing the circle by the onsite installation. We are also a global company, which means that we can target projects anywhere in the world, with the same dedication and efficiency.

What were your roles at the Hit Factory and Soundtrack? And what did you learn there?

At The Hit Factory I was a Tech/ Maintenance engineer. My job was basically to set up all the recording sessions. Get all the gear, align tape machines (analogue days), set up all microphones, have the studio ready and tested to start a session. This place as Call International sales on +44(0)191 418 1133 or email international@canford.co.uk

Source Material by Canford | 15

Can you reference a few headline clients/projects?

Capitol Studios | LA, CA Republic Studios | LA, CA 7 Pillar Studios | Cisco, TX Precision Sound Studio | New York City Soundtrack Recording Studios | Boston, MA Soundtrack Recording Studios | New York City, NY The Magic Shop | New York City, NY Think Loud Studios | York, PA Vanquish Studios | Davie, FL Caracol Television | Bogotá, Colombia El Pie Recording Studios | Buenos Aires, Argentina ESPI 10.29 Studios | Mazatlán, Mexico Green Road Recording Studios | San Jose, Costa Rica La Mansion Recording | Monterrey, Mexico Sonolux Discográfica | Bogotá, Colombia El Alto Studios | Medellin Colombia Studios Mega | Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Tecnologico de Monterrey Studios (Campus Estado de Mexico) | Mexico DF, Mexico Tecnologico de Monterrey Studios (Campus Mexico City) | Mexico City, Mexico Tecnologico de Monterrey Studios (Campus Monterrey) | Monterrey, Mexico Tecnologico de Monterrey Studios (Campus Santa Fe) | Mexico DF, Mexico Televisa Chapultepec Studios | Mexico DF, Mexico TV Globo | Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Valenzo Recording Studio | Mexico City, Mexico Argos Studios | Mexico City, Mexico 16 | Source Material by Canford

I gather you’ve worked in some pretty amazing (and dangerous!) places. Can you tell us a little about the most technically challenging?

We completed a private project for a very high profile client in a private island in Tahiti. This was a real challenge. From sourcing materials around the world, to shipping to the main island (Papete) and then to the small private island by boat.

“We buy everything from Canford.

Canford custom patchbays are one of the most important items, as all of the installations as well as OEM products that we manufacture for other console manufacturers are based on this product” Horacio Malvicino

How did you discover Canford? What do you buy, and why did you come to Canford?

About 13 years ago, we decided to move all of the studio wiring manufacturing division to Europe. I reached out to my friends at Solid State Logic at the time, Graham Caddy and he was the one that recommended Canford. I reached out Call UK sales on +44(0)191 418 1122 or email sales@canford.co.uk

to Canford over the phone, I explained to them the situation and they assigned me to Emma Curtis @ the International Division. The rest is history. 13 years and strong. Emma, Debbie, Vita, the whole team is amazing. This team will bend over backwards for MDG. We buy everything from Canford.

Canford custom patchbays are one of the most important items, as all of the installations as well as OEM products that we manufacture for other console manufacturers are based on this product. Connectors (Neutrik, Rean, ITT Cannon, Elco), our complete supply of connectors comes from you guys. Accessories, shrink tubing, labels, and any other items we need to get our projects going.

How have you found the team at Canford? Helpful, friendly, knowledgeable?

I can not imagine our installation business moving forward without Canford. The team is amazing and they do have a complete knowledge of all the products available. I also have a direct line to Gavin, who is a real “guru” when it comes to product and getting things done.

Very occasionally things can go wrong. How do you feel Canford handles this? And are you confident the team has your back?

In all 13 years, we had only one issue with a product that I can recall, and things were corrected immediately, even when the manufacturer decided not to support us. Canford came through.

What’s next for Malvicino Design Group?

Another 13 years with Canford and the team will be great!

With the incredible boom that we are seeing with Apple Music and Dolby Atmos, we will be building many studios in the years to come and Canford will be there for us all the way.

Call International sales on +44(0)191 418 1133 or email international@canford.co.uk

Source Material by Canford | 17

NEUTRIK GROUP RESTRUCTURES AS A GLOBAL MULTI-BRAND ORGANISATION In a major reorganisation of its global operations the Neutrik Group has restructured as a multi-brand company with an extended portfolio of products. A major global player in the interconnectivity segment, the group now develops, designs, manufactures and globally distributes innovative electrical and electronic interconnect products and systems under the NEUTRIK, REAN and CONTRIK brands. The reorganisation has been undertaken over several months and has significantly expanded and further diversified the group’s product offering across a breadth of technologies and applications; both within and beyond the entertainment and broadcast production sectors the company has traditionally dominated. Further expansion is being undertaken across AV, lighting, Ethernet, fibre optic and power applications globally throughout healthcare and wider industrial sectors, where the company has been building supply chain relationships for some time.

Commenting on the restructuring, CEO of the Neutrik Group Chad Trevithick said, “In our increasingly connected world, the role of connectivity is ever more critical. Whether in ensuring transmission of audio, video and data, amplifying musical instruments, or the safe and reliable distribution of power, the Neutrik Group is positioning itself as the world leader in connectivity standards.”

Under the new structure NEUTRIK continues to offer premium copper connectors, innovative fibre optic systems and robust field-ready, high performance digital audio network devices.

REAN, a Neutrik Group owned brand since the early 2000’s, has been repositioned as a global supplier with an extensive portfolio of ultra-robust, high reliability connectors for designers of audio, video and lighting products, offering unrivalled costperformance ratios, backed by a global supply chain and highly experienced regional sales network. The worldwide portfolio of connectors incorporates a full range of ’standard’ professional 18 | Source Material by Canford

XLR, ¼” Jack, XLR/Jack combo, Ethernet, Power Connector, 3.5mm, Phono, DIN, and Dual Banana plug solutions.

Expanding the range are the new Z Series of IP65 rated XLR and RJ45 Ethernet connectors; these are specified for outdoor applications, resistant to water and dirt, and optimised for use in lighting and digital signage applications.

CONTRIK extends the Neutrik Group product offering with a portfolio of professional power distribution systems that includes an innovative equipotential bonding system and high-quality professional application power cables. Designed, engineered and manufactured in Germany, CONTRIK products are extremely robust and reliable, and intended to last a lifetime. As such they are optimally specified for use in all types of rental, event, touring, and both indoor and outdoor installation environments. Beyond entertainment technology applications they are used extensively within the construction sector and throughout industry at large.

Use of superior materials includes CONTRIK’s state-of-theart Easylen® material. Lightweight and exceptionally robust, it also ensures all surface parts are non-conductive.

Headquartered in Liechtenstein the Neutrik Group manufactures in multiple locations and wholly owns seven subsidiaries throughout Europe, Asia and the Americas: Neutrik Vertriebs GmbH in Germany, Neutrik (UK) Ltd., Neutrik France SARL, Neutrik Americas, Neutrik Limited, Japan, Neutrik Hong Kong Ltd., Ningbo Neutrik Trading Co., Ltd. China, H. Adam GmbH Germany, Contrik AG, Switzerland and Connex GmbH, Germany. www.neutrikgroup.com Call UK sales on +44(0)191 418 1122 or email sales@canford.co.uk

How dock10 is helping to reduce the Carbon Footprint of Production

By Paul Houghton Head of Risk Management at dock10

In the end credits of television programmes, you might have noticed the little albert footprint logo that indicates that the show has been albert certified. But who is albert? Why is albert so important? And how is dock10 helping albert? dock10’s Head of Risk Management, Paul Houghton, explains how the television climate change organisation albert is helping to reduce the carbon footprint of productions.

Albert is an environmental organisation that is encouraging the television and film industry to reduce waste and minimise its carbon footprint - from national broadcasters to small indies. Every time a programme is made, the production team use albert’s carbon calculator to work out the total amount of greenhouse gases emitted as a direct result of making that programme and therefore how big an impact the show has had on the environment.

This is done by answering a series of questions about production activities, such as the show’s studio usage and time spent in edit suites. The results are displayed by albert as a series of charts showing the total CO2 emitted during the course of production, the amount of CO2 emitted per

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£100k of budget and, arguably most significantly, the CO2 per production hour. The aim is to highlight television’s impact on the environment and to help production companies cut the amount of CO2 they produce when making programmes.

Albert asks each production to have a carbon action plan that looks at a whole range of different areas from power to recycling. In many of these areas, the production relies heavily on the facility where the programme is being made. dock10 has always taken sustainability very seriously and has a number of measures that contribute to a more positive albert assessment.

Call UK sales on +44(0)191 418 1122 or email sales@canford.co.uk

When the CHP system was installed in 2011, it contributed significantly to Media City being named the world’s first sustainable community by BREEAM – a world-leading sustainability assessment for infrastructure and buildings.

Lighting is a crucial element of any television production and a big draw on power. We encourage productions in our studios to use low-energy lights wherever possible in their lighting rigs. What’s more, throughout our facility we are steadily changing all the lighting in our buildings to be highefficiency LED lighting that is better for the environment.

This is supported by signage and systems that help to ensure lights and equipment are switched off when not being used.

Inevitably, some of our equipment relies on battery power and we always use rechargeable batteries for preference.

However, where single-use batteries are unavoidable we make sure they are collected and sent for recycling.

Firstly, dock10 is certified to ISO 14001 Environmental Management and ISO 50001 Energy Management that are awarded to organisations proved to be minimising their environmental impact and conserving resources through efficient energy management. We are proud of this certification as it underpins our ongoing commitment to sustainability – the very ethos albert is working to reinforce within the industry.

In fact, dock10 has had its buildings verified as net zero carbon by a third party using the UK Green Building Council’s 2019 definition. We are among a cluster of buildings at Media City that make up the highest concentration of net zero carbon buildings in the UK. The remaining emissions of our buildings are offset through a Verified Carbon Standard project twinned with tree-planting in the northwest that is creating the Northern Forest, giving the global environmental benefits a local focus.

When it comes to recycling, dock10 works hard to ensure that the maximum amount of material is recycled. We have colour-coded recycling points across the facility that helps to stream any waste into their appropriate categories, such as plastics, cardboard and aluminium. Any waste that cannot be recycled is separated into material that can be burnt to generate power and waste that needs to go to landfill. We are very proud that normally less than 5% of the waste we generate ends up in landfill.

Albert’s certification scheme promotes greener ways of working by rewarding productions for using sustainable practices and cutting their carbon footprint. It’s estimated that on average, albert certification brings a 10-15% reduction in a programme’s carbon footprint that adds up to a saving of around £6,000 in energy and other costs.

Bigger productions may save even more. And of course, the benefits to the planet also add up. The TV industry is not one of the world’s worst environmental offenders, but albert is there to remind us that everything we do has consequences - and there are always things we can do better.

Usually, the biggest input into the Albert carbon calculator is power, and here dock10 really helps its customers to minimise their carbon footprint. We take our power from the Media City Combined Heat and Power system, or CHP, that generates its electricity by burning gas. However, the heat generated in this process is also used to heat the buildings and any excess is used to chill the water that helps to cool technical areas of the facility. This makes the system we use incredibly efficient and very carbon friendly.

Call International sales on +44(0)191 418 1133 or email international@canford.co.uk

Source Material by Canford | 21

A YEAR LIKE NO OTHER

By John Driver, Head of Design and Fibre Technology Manager As we come to the end of what has been another very strange year I’m pleased to say we have come through it fairly well and are all back to doing what we do best.That is supporting you the customer to achieve your goals in any way we can.

invested in more stock at substantial cost to Canford. This gives us the ability to respond to demand and we are there to help when it matters.

To try and make things easier for you we have created more Fibre assemblies with standard product codes to enable quicker ordering. Amongst the product range you can now find standard FUW – PUW SMPTE cable assemblies with Draka, Belden and Furukawa both with and without cable drums. Also added to the range are a new series of Breakout cables which take either SMPTE, opticalCON or HMA and breakout on tails to LC, SC or ST connectors. These breakouts make testing easier by allowing connection direct to a Light Sources or OTDR.

Despite the issues faced by many in our industry it’s good to see many familiar faces are returning to some sort of normality.

The Euros and the Olympics helped kick-start the revival of the Broadcasters and associated industries and this was very noticeable for our Fibre team. The team were at full strength Here at Canford we are always looking at solutions to make throughout the year keeping up with demand for both standard life easier and will be updating our product offerings to reflect and non-standard fibre assemblies. this so keep an eye out for our mailshots which will keep you As a critical supplier to many we always aim to meet the very informed throughout the coming year.

short lead times that are often required and a good example If you’re new to fibre then we are more than happy to help of this is SMPTE cable. The demand for SMPTE has increased guide and advise you of the most appropriate products and significantly this year so in order to meet that demand we have solutions available to you.

Canford is pleased to announce the appointment of Ian Sadler as it moves to strategically strengthen its successful business development team.

Canford serves a diverse range of customers from its headquarters in Washington, Tyne & Wear.

In recent years Canford has enhanced its reputation as the supplier of choice for custom metalwork, and the group continues to expand and develop its in-house fibre termination facilities to meet rapidly increasing customer demand.

Despite the difficulties brought about by the Coronavirus pandemic, the team at Canford remained steadfast in its commitment to supporting customers. Canford remained open and during this period the sales team developed new methodologies. Unlocking significant opportunities by responding more proactively to customers’ enquiries, and broadening the range of active customers.

Having previously held senior roles at Cabletime, and Kramer Electronics, Ian joins Canford with a significant level of experience in the broadcast, hospitality and AV industries.

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“ Having spent most of my professional career in sales serving the broadcast and corporate AV markets, I am joining the Canford family as UK Business Development Manager.

Canford has a great reputation as a friendly, knowledgeable company with a broad range of product. Both as a value-added reseller and distributor of their own custom manufactured metal work and cable assemblies.”

Ian Sadler, Canford Business Development Manager Ian will be providing local coverage for Canford customers in the South of England. Strengthening existing customer relationships, developing new business opportunities, and working closely with consultants to reinforce the Canford brand.

Call UK sales on +44(0)191 418 1122 or email sales@canford.co.uk

Canford panels integral to the successful broadcast of Euro 2020 tournament Gravity Media, a leading global provider of complex live broadcast facilities and production services to content owners, creators and distributors, utilised Canford manufactured termination panels and custom racking throughout its Euro 2020 Technical Operation Centres (TOC), broadcasting the tournament to an estimated live audience of 4.7 billion.

By Stephen Gallagher, Canford Marketing Manager Canford has manufactured and supplied critical broadcast solutions for decades. Established in 1976, the company is regarded throughout the global broadcast industry as ‘the supplier of choice’ for custom metalwork, fibre termination, breakout, and interconnect solutions.

Based in Washington, Tyne & Wear, UK, Canford has amassed an unrivalled level of experience over its 45-years. The company has a reputation for high-quality, precision-made product. This has seen an increasing number of leading providers of complex live sports broadcast, facilities and production services turning to Canford manufacturing for

robust and reliable, mission-critical components.

One such company is long-standing Canford customer Gravity Media. Gravity Media supplies high-quality production facilities and project management support for large-scale live and near-live events, locally or on location anywhere in the world. Whether it’s a single venue or multi-site broadcast, Gravity Media’s comprehensive solutions include designing, building and integrating International Broadcast Centres, Master Control Rooms, Technical Operation Centres (TOC), Commentary Control Rooms, Production Control Rooms and Media Centres.

Call International sales on +44(0)191 418 1133 or email international@canford.co.uk

Source Material by Canford | 23

“ On this occasion the specialist involvement from Canford Portland was a requirement to design and manufacture a fleet of robust, fully welded 42U equipment racks. Initially required for Euro 2020, these ‘Transport proof ’ racks would eventually be incorporated in other Gravity Media projects.

Canford design engineers spent time on-site with Gravity Media to facilitate the development and ultimately to approve a prototype. The resulting racks had to be strong enough to protect expensive kit during international transit and movement on-site.

Gravity Media supplied eleven TOCs, distributed over nine European countries for the recent Euro 2020 tournament. “ Traditionally in big events such as the Euros, World Cup, Olympics etc, every signal that would go to or come from a Venue would do so via the TOC. It’s the Venue gateway and how signals travel between it and the International Broadcast Centre (IBC). The IBC is a dedicated temporary facility that hosts the Main Host broadcaster and any broadcast partner (BBC, ITV, ZDF, etc) who may have a presence there. Generally speaking, all program outputs are sent to the rest of the world from the IBC and this is the final piece in the transmission puzzle.

The TOC plays an important role, where signals are monitored for technical QC but also distributed to broadcast partners who may also like to broadcast from a Venue (BBC and ITV at Wembley for example).

Essentially any broadcast of a Euros football match will have been through a Gravity TOC and thusly through a Canford termination panel!”

The process moved at pace thanks to the experience we’d gained on an earlier project. Canford had manufactured ‘The Beast’ - a bespoke product that not only provided a means of transporting and protecting sophisticated routing technology, but also incorporated patching for rapid termination and on-site set-up by Gravity Media engineers.

All design aspects were carefully considered. What might appear to be small details can make a big difference - such as doorway clearance and specifying wheels suitable for all anticipated terrain.

COVID disrupted the tournament, eventually delaying it until 2021 but Canford was able to keep going throughout the entire lockdown and delivered the finished racks well ahead of kick-off.”

Gavin Drake, Canford Production Manager - Portland Testament to Gravity Media’s experience in handling major live event broadcasts and to the professionalism of its skilled team, the entire Euro 2020 tournament was broadcast without a single TOC related on-air glitch. That was 51 matches with eighteen feeds per match, including the Live Stadium Feed (LSF) – also known as the ‘world feed’.

Simon Nicholls, Gravity Media’s Director of Engineering in the UK explains more about the role of Technical Operation Centres

In total, Euro 2020 matches were shown by over 130 global broadcast partners, present in over 200 territories around the world, with an estimated total live event audience of 4.7 billion during the tournament.

Canford has supported Gravity Media for many years.

Engineering teams have established a collaborative approach to designing custom solutions, drawing on the substantial experience within both companies. Euro 2020 was no exception. In addition to Canford Termination Panels, there was a custom requirement.

An average of 100 million live television viewers were expected to tune in to each match, with nearly 300 million expected to watch the final live. Throughout the tournament the host broadcast team were expected to produce a total of 3,500 hours of content.

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Call UK sales on +44(0)191 418 1122 or email sales@canford.co.uk

An estimated 44 million UK viewers tuned in to see the final – Ok, so we all know the result of that one…

Commenting on Canford’s involvement, Nicholls added: “ Canford move mountains for us when we need it. It is nice to be in a position where we can thank you and your hard working team for making big projects like this come alive.”

Gravity Media’s work at the Euro 2020 finals was nothing short of astounding.Tournament stats give some understanding of the sheer scale and complexities of the project:

• 11 TOC’s delivered to 9 European countries, 12 actually built. That’s 60 x 42RU racks prepped and tested

• 70km of Belden 1855 in the TOC rigs and looms alone, this doesn’t include special cams

• 38,000 Neutrik 1855 BNC ends • 45km of Draka (3G) Green Looms. 983 individually cut, labelled, and ended. That’s 11796 x Neutrik 1694 BNC crimps alone

• 13.6km of Draka Blue 10 way audio. 275 individually cut, labelled and ends soldered. That’s 5500 x XLR ends prepped and ended

• 58.1km of Cat6 cable. 1771 individually cut and ended by venue teams. That’s 3542 x Cat6 ends crimped on-site That’s a very impressive 180, 700m of cable in total across the whole project.

About Gravity Media: Gravity Media is a leading global provider of complex live broadcast facilities and production services to content owners, creators and distributors. We use the collective pull of our people and resources to capture, craft and create world-class content that inspires and excites. Our 500 people serve clients across the sport, media, news and entertainment industries from bases in the UK, Australia, USA, France, Germany and Qatar.

Gravity Media is a brand-new company with a 30-year pedigree, a force to be reckoned with formed by the coming together of four well known broadcast and production houses: Gearhouse Broadcast, HyperActive Broadcast, Input Media and Chief Entertainment. For more information, please visit: gravitymedia.com Press contact: Red Lorry Yellow Lorry | e: GravityMedia@rlyl.com | t: +44 20 7403 8878 About Canford: Formed in 1976, Canford serves a diverse range of customers from its headquarters in Washington, Tyne & Wear. In recent years Canford has enhanced its reputation as the supplier of choice for custom metalwork in the broadcast, live events and touring markets. Canford is architect-specified for audio and video connection points in many of the highest profile sports stadiums in both Europe and the Middle East, as well as theatres and conference facilities.

Custom metalwork contact: Canford Manufacturing - Portland | e: custommetal@canford.co.uk | t: +44 191 418 1122 Call International sales on +44(0)191 418 1133 or email international@canford.co.uk

Source Material by Canford | 25

PAG offers smaller, more sustainable linking batteries Mini PAGlink is PAG’s new system of intelligent linking batteries that features all the benefits of its established linking technology, in a smaller and lighter package. The batteries are available in V-Mount and Gold Mount formats, as well as 99Wh and 50Wh capacities.

The MPL50 is a low-profile, lightweight, 50Wh battery, ideal for powering small, 4K camcorders, director’s monitors or lights. The MPL99 is a more compact and lighter 99Wh battery, ideal for any broadcast or cinema camera set-up.

These ‘mini’ batteries have many new and unique features designed to assist camera professionals. They provide the essential outputs for 12V camera accessories that handheld camcorders often lack. The MPL50 has one D-Tap, and the MPL99 features two. Each battery also includes a USB output module, ideal for powering 5V accessories (2A continuous, 3A peak).This module can be removed via a release button; and replaced with other modules that feature Hirose, Lemo or D-Tap connectors.

Now, instead of powering each accessory individually, you can replace a multitude of camcorder-type batteries with a single, superior power source for the entire set-up.

Unlike all other ‘mini’ or ‘micro’ batteries, Mini PAGlink offers intelligent battery linking. It allows you to control the capacity and weight of the power source to suit any application. If you are shooting handheld, individual batteries will keep things light.

If your set-up includes multiple accessories, requiring more power, you can create a 200Wh or a 300Wh power source by linking batteries that have flight-friendly capacities; this is preferable to using individual, high-capacity batteries which are bulky and banned from passenger aircraft.

power, without the need for a separate plate; or you can simply add another battery to extend run-time. Linking extends overall battery life, because the current load is shared. PAG guarantees Mini PAGlink batteries for 2 years, with unlimited cycles during that period.

The Li-Ion cells chosen for Mini PAGlink are the same as those approved by NASA for its mission to Europa, one of Jupiter’s moons. After extensive testing of commercially available cells with a 10A capability, NASA found these to have the best capacity retention after 500 cycles, and the best energy efficiency.

PAG’s new modular battery design makes servicing quicker and more economic. Individual modules, including the cellpack, can be replaced at authorised service centres around the Batteries of any rated capacity, in any state of charge, can world, whilst maintaining compliance with air safety standards. be linked to provide power, their capacities safely combined. Reusing case parts, output modules and internal electronics Current can be drawn from each battery simultaneously, which contributes towards greater sustainability. increases the overall capability to 12A. Linking also enables seamless hot-swapping of the rear battery for continuous www.paguk.com

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Call UK sales on +44(0)191 418 1122 or email sales@canford.co.uk

SWAP OUTPUTS

Call International sales on +44(0)191 418 1133 or email international@canford.co.uk

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LETS NETWORK

AV/IP Convergence

By Ian Sadler, Canford UK Business Development Manager

member companies provide a range of equipment to enable network distributed HD video delivered to anywhere where there is a network point. www.sdvoe.org

If we’ve learnt one thing over the last 18 months it’s the importance of networks. With many of us having to work from home, essentially in isolation, the network around us has become more tangible. Whether its friends or regular contact with colleagues via teams, zoom or any of the other video platforms, networks have kept us joined and information flowing.

There is also NDI (Network Device Interface) a standard developed by NewTek. It differs slightly from SDVoE as it is mainly orientated to live video production & storage. On a network you can have multiple NDI enabled HD PTZ (pantilt-zoom) remote controlled cameras, camera control and storage all network enabled, effectively giving you studio production over a CATx network. www.ndi.tv

And with the increased use of networks comes the inevitable integration of the more traditional audio visual elements sound, video and control.

Not necessarily covered by the AV banner but more and more visible is the world of digital signage. The ability to get striking graphics, video, advertising and information over a network. The ability to reach audiences at scale with a targeted message. Multiple sectors from retail and hospitality and sport, public services, travel and corporate are using eye-catching and relevant content.

All transported and updated over an IP network.

The ability to communicate audio and video signal over a standard IP network has a number of advantages. Using a standard network switch instead of a traditional audio matrix means no fixed specialist in/out wiring. With a network switch any point can be switched to any other or many points and can be both input and output. Also the network can be very easily expanded just by the addition of extra data switches making the system hugely scalable.

In short the IP world is not just reaching out to AV users, it’s here and is only becoming more prevalent with many more common devices now having a network connection.

The team at Canford has extensive knowledge of networked audio solutions. Including the potential pitfalls, how to avoid them and we can support clients with practical advice on how to get the very best out of your system. Canford holds a Dante System Licence for the manufacture and sale of products that contain Dante Ultimo Technology and the company has invested heavily in its recruitment and staff Dante is now embedded in a number of products, some acting training to ensure it is at the forefront with these fast-paced as the encoder/transmitter to convert standard analogue audio technology developments. to an IP stream. Others are the decoders/receivers which take in the IP stream and convert it back to an analogue form. And “ Having previously held senior roles at Cabletime and some are bidirectional allowing signals to travel both ways.

Kramer Electronics I joined Canford in June 2021, bringing a Some product examples include Canford Dante Interfaces, and wealth of AV experience. This complements the established an extensive line-up of Dante modules from RDL. knowledge-base which includes in-house product design and technical support. In addition to manufacturing our Also video transport is no longer in the domain of expensive own range of compact Dante interface units, Canford is the specialist fixed video matrices, again with the need for specialist exclusive UK and Ireland distributor of Green-GO, an award in/out wiring. The ability to move high quality HD video over winning cost-effective scalable digital intercom system which a network uses the same principle of encoders/inputs going operates over a standard Ethernet network.” Ian Sadler, from HDMI or HD-SDI to IP and the decoder/receiver going Canford Southern BDM from IP to the intended video format.

Probably the best known and most wide spread of audio over IP products is Dante (Digital Audio Network Through Ethernet). Originally developed in 2006 by a Sydneybased company named Audinate, the Dante chipset allows uncompressed audio streams to travel over a standard IP network. www.audinate.com

The SDVoE Alliance is an umbrella for a number of companies System integrators should contact Ian Sadler on using the BlueRiver codec (encoder/decoder) technology. Their is@canford.co.uk to discuss projects.

28 | Source Material by Canford

Call UK sales on +44(0)191 418 1122 or email sales@canford.co.uk

Audio networking has never been easier or more affordable CONTACT OUR SALES TEAM UK sales t: +44 (0)191 4181122 e: sales@canford.co.uk Int sales t: +44 (0)191 4181133 e: international@canford.co.uk www.canford.co.uk

KEY FEATURES FOR GREEN-GO V5 GO

• Improved audio quality and latency: 42,32 or 16kHz sample rate 10ms latency • Drag and drop configuration with accompanying virtual device graphics • More robust live control and monitoring of devices via software • Full offline configuration, review and customisation of system devices • Scripting engine to customise and tailor behaviour

For more information email greengo@canford.co.uk or visit Call International sales on +44(0)191 418 1133 or email international@canford.co.uk

www.canford.co.uk/Green-Go Source Material by Canford | 29

GREEN-GO VERSION 5

By Charles Phelps, Canford Technical Support Engineer Built from the ground up from the success and eventual limitations of version 4, Green-Go version 5 looks set to provide a positive platform for progression of the GreenGo digital intercom brand. What I would consider a thank you to all the keen Green-Go users through the years, the development team have put a lot of effort into renovating its product range. Closely working with their global customer base, providing a vital tool used in a vast array of interesting and unique applications.

There is no need for new hardware, Version 5 is FREE, GREEN and backwards compatible with the existing product range. There still may be incentive to invest in potential future hardware that may bring added functionality or alternate workflows, however, Green-Go have made a commitment to full product line support, allowing users to get the most out their Green-Go system and reduce unnecessary Waste Electric and Electronic goods.

One software package consolidates all system tools into one neat application, currently there are three main applications: “Green-Go configuration”, “update connection” and “wireless control”. Functionality of the previous software applications has been integrated as tabs into the new software package solution. Bringing everything together has made way for the development of a centralised, customisable dashboard, providing enhanced system motoring tools and opened up configuration access to multiple instances across PC, MAC, Android and IOS. Allowing complete control of your system on the go, and yes, fully password protectable.

Where version 4’s software layout was geared towards the “techy” type,Version 5 makes configuration more accessible to a wider audience of users without losing its vast array of configurable settings and functions. Familiar users will find comfort in the table based views in addition to benefiting along with new users alike from the new visual device representations. Configuration components can now be dragged and dropped onto these virtual panels, enabling quick and precise device assignment and channel allocation either live on event or pre-emptively offline prior to or during an event.

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Alongside a plethora of potential for new functions and features, at its core version 5 provides improved audio. In version 4 the default sample rate is 16 kHz with the option for “enhanced” at 32 kHz at a fixed wired latency of 12ms.

Version 5 defaults to 32 kHz with the option for 42/32/16 kHz at a fixed wired latency of 10ms. For the most part perhaps an update that most may overlook, but this paired with extended audio envelope tools such as: compression, limiting and gating, lays the ground work for Green-Go to become a more seamless, consistent and dependable part of any given production workflow.

The very popular DECT wireless belt pack solution gets an update; currently belt packs and antennas have four available subscription slots for simultaneous use. This allows up to four belt packs per antenna and up to four antennas per belt pack for extending range (roaming). With the introduction of “pools” users can now expand the coverage of their system further, subscribing up to four belt packs (clients) with up to seven antennas (access points). Manual “over the air” pairing is still available but no longer supports roaming which is now achieved via pool mode programmable in the new control software via Ethernet and USB connection.

Cloud connect service; Eases setup between sites. Bridge interfaces can still function as per version 4 but the new cloud based initiative removes the requirement for local NAT ruling, allowing users to setup and maintain remote site or multisite links more efficiently. Once a Green-Go cloud ID has been appointed (available on request) and devices are linked via a typical internet connection, the cloud handles the rest, also opening up the opportunity for redundancy through multiple device/network links.

Call UK sales on +44(0)191 418 1122 or email sales@canford.co.uk

and user. Utilising the embedded remote support connection alongside live documentation, providing or implementing new or advanced functionality becomes accessible and reliable, having documentation written and maintained with the manufacturers interpretation of expected implementation. The solution now also includes a user definable “company” default config, which is going to be a very welcomed escape route for a lot of my future testing and programming to come.

From my time so far with the new software, I would describe it as an overall quality of life upgrade. New functions such as “rooms” where we can apply localised audio dimming to negate feedback loops, “Templates” coinciding nicely with Green-Go’s more modular approach to digital intercom, allowing settings to be amended, copied and externally saved.

Equipping users with the ability to recall a snapshot of their configuration and upload it to any device in any configuration of their choosing. Even the developments of “flexi-list” amalgamating up to 20 channels into one allocate field, used as a quick access tool for users to re assign one or more of their channels, all makes the solution a much more adaptable and versatile tool.

It is clear there has been a conscious observation of the balance between demand and resource, which has led to the genesis of Green-Go Scripting. Offering an approachable format for modification of Green-Go behaviour, providing extended functionality dependant on specific application as opposed or prior to a global firmware revision. Coding new scripts will require an understanding of programming but alongside the developers and other Green-Go users, more bespoke system operation and or functionality is now somewhat in the hands of the users. A bold move, but as a platform for adaptation and bespoke implementation very fitting for the Green-GO brand.

In supporting the product range, version 5 gives me confidence. As a compiled software solution including full access to all aspects of system configuration, which is designed as a part of the system rather than an addition or alternative to, permits a cleaner, easier collaboration between engineer

Getting started with version 5 for the first time may be a seemingly daunting task. However, the fundamentals have not changed and I would encourage starting with the default configuration or generating your first configuration through the quick start wizard. I would suggest it is essential to work side by side with the online documentation, although the majority of improvements are intuitive, for unaccustomed workflows and or new terminology/functionality the manual is an irreplaceable resource. Given this significant update I can foresee Canford putting together some public workshops, providing a buffer and supported space to assist this transition, please voice your interest through greengo@canford.co.uk

At the time of writing this, development is currently in open beta, available for download direct from: https://manual. greengoconnect.com. This dedicated page not only links to the Software and firmware download page but also includes a link to the support forum and documentation. Documents include a live online manual featuring device manuals, software guides, quick start guides and a very useful search function with complementary glossary. Version 5 is not yet suggested for production use but for those interested in getting hands on with the new software.

For all Green-Go, enquiries and support please contact us via greengo@canford.co.uk Call International sales on +44(0)191 418 1133 or email international@canford.co.uk

Source Material by Canford | 31

KNOWING YOUR NODES The discussion continues… My articles from Source Material editions: 3, 4 and 6 reviewed transport mediums assuming an unmanaged network flow, but what about the nodes?!

By Charles Phelps, Canford Technical Support Engineer With transceiver distances dependant on the products we wish to use, how do we route this information efficiently?

Developing an understanding of IT network workflows is becoming ever more required within the AV and broadcast market. Offering extended performance and multifunction integration over one unified infrastructure provides an appealing update in system design with comparison to more traditional analogue solutions.

In order to elaborate on efficiency it is important to first look at the workflow. IT networks typically comprise of multiple processors moving information from one client to another. This can be internal (LAN), such as a Dante stream from Input to output within a given physical space. Or an external (WAN) connection, accessing and interfacing with internet or multisite communication systems. Providing a computable link between two or more networked devices, the most basic network consists of a network Hub which broadcasts data to every Ethernet based device connected.

Trading this hub for a Switch, data transmission is more specified, establishing isolated links between clients. Where a switch utilises Media access control (MAC) addresses a Router introduces Internet Protocol (IP) Addresses, becoming the intermediator for connectivity of multiple local area networks (LAN) creating the start of a wider area network (WAN) otherwise known as the internet.

From there it is just a game of interoperability and functionality; Connecting two dissimilar networks? You need a Gateway to convert data from one protocol or format to another. Want to provide centralised resources?

Servers provided storage, processing and data exchanges where human intervention is not required. Want to add connectivity for mobile devices? An Access Point provides a bridge between wired and wireless connections. Want to protect against unauthorised access? A Firewall monitors and restricts network traffic into and out of the network.

Don’t have a broadband connection? A Modem interfaces a WAN via a traditional telephone line. Although the network

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topology in a domestic setting is typically compiled into one device, it is clearer to treat its processes as individual components such as can be seen in many large commercial IT networks.

Digging below the physical, in the digital domain data presents as a 1 or a 0, a transistor on or off. Multiple logic states compile to convey information and packaged into the form of a datagram. Each datagram is then placed into a packet then each packet is further placed into a frame, with most signals from source to destination consisting of multiple transmissions.

For this encapsulation and transmission there are a range of transport protocols for wrapping and addressing varying in their size and quality of service (QOS).To highlight a few in simple terms; UDP (faster but susceptible to loss) and TCP (slower but can retransmit loss) are both communications protocols used to exchange data between networked devices.

TCP based network protocols include: FTP/S (establishes data as well as control connection “/secure”), HTTP/S (establishes data connection only “/secure”) and SMTP (server side mail exchange and relay). UDP based network protocols include: NTP (synchronisation of clock times), DNS (network address lookup resource) and DHCP (automatic IP assignment).

The bandwidth of any given network is reliant on limitations of throughput, error rate and QOS from nodes as well as propagation, interference and stability of the interconnecting transport medium. It would be agreeable to suggest bottlenecks are a regular, unavoidable occurrence for most networks. A sudden rush in traffic between two nodes exceeding the potential maximum processing limit, often results in delayed, interrupted, or complete loss in data

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transfer, dependant on the type of packetisation applied.

For instance It would also be reasonable to assume that a gigabit switch would have provision for gigabit links on all ports. This is not true, yet rarely a cause of alarm. The bottle neck of these switches are the central processing units, each separation (typically every 4 or 8 ports) within a product will have its own CPU limited by its maximum bandwidth indirectly related to its throughput. Typically networks comprise of low and high data usage ports equalling out the performance requirements of a CPU. The take away from this is to review your physical configuration as well as your virtual one. Subtle separations between sets of RJ45 ports may be a good indication of segmented processing, there may be throughput efficiency available by spreading your data hungry connections across the switch rather than bunching them to one side/processor.

“QOS” covers a lot of potential of network service prioritisation and throughput resource management, more so present and required in larger network infrastructures, even domestic “dumb” unmanaged switches have the capabilities of incorporating some of these more sophisticated elements although typically not to the same extent. Different network services may present variable packet sizes potential inconsistently over time. Data from A to B may be for the most part things alike: websites, email, file transfers etc. the bandwidth of which is typically low and not for the most part time restricted, nodes can buffer and or resend loss with minimal impact to the end result. Adding a Dante stream to this connection will use some of the available space but is more time dependant than the previous services so much so that we do not want to disrupt the signal with something alike a large file transfer. For this traffic type we could prioritise a dedicated, fixed data rate virtual path for our data stream, leaving all other traffic with a shared best effort and queued partition of the total connection bandwidth. This understanding scales, not only to virtual path ways but to the physical, with VLANs (allocates services to partitioned and isolated node ports) and Trunking (increases the data rate of a transmission by coupling two or more ports together at each end of the connection) both tagging Ethernet frames under the IEEE 802.1Q outline.

Network topology also plays a key role in QOS and throughput, offering alternate physical pathways for vital and or specialist network resources. Point to point (PTP) is the simplest, connecting one node to another. Two or more nodes onto a single switch may be considered a STAR, all traffic goes through a single point/processor. Extending from a star the TREE interconnects via bus networks in a hierarchical like fashion. Building in redundancy the RING offers multiple path ways, dependant on traffic or connection stability packets can be redirected to reach the same destination. With MESH interconnecting all nodes, theoretically providing multiple path ways to all traffic.

Though some redundancy can be beneficial mesh networks can use substantial resource routing, running protocols such as spanning tree (STP) in an effort to reduce the occurrence of duplication and loops, which could result in a flooded and potentially redundant network. Most IT infrastructures are a Hybrid of the above with application dependant service requirements.

Innovation of Ethernet within the broadcast AV industry presents in the two main areas: “point to point (PTP)” and “Packetized”. The success of Dante by Audinate, is a prime example of a packetized solution. Conforming to a typical IT network infrastructure, audio is sourced, digitised, and sent down the network then decoded and sampled to relay at its destination alongside the likes of UDP. PTP a simplest topology, in my mind this cheats this system, utilising the medium but not the standardisation. QTP audio is a good example with a more common example presenting as a range extender, Baluns make use of the complexity and affordability of Ethernet cabling, processing signals separate from a network, piggybacking on the success and availability of Ethernet cables with the added product protection of bespoke de/encoding signals and dedicated physical links.

There are a wide variety of compatibility products on the AV market for bridging the gap between analogue and digital communication systems. Deploying widely available network solutions offers a cleaner and easier platform for a variety of production applications.

Call International sales on +44(0)191 418 1133 or email international@canford.co.uk

Source Material by Canford | 33

WHY A yellobrik ISN’T JUST A BRICK

By Dave Holloway, LYNX Technik Director of Sales EMEA There can be no doubt that the humble ‘throw down’ brick as our American cousins would call them, (although we don’t recommend throwing equipment around) has played a vital role in broadcast systems for many years. Originally conceived as economical and convenient ‘glue’ to add some basic standalone functionality and fibre or format conversion to the periphery of a larger system, the now ubiquitous yellobrik functionality continues to grow.

Often in temporary systems or emergency situations, a modular brik is an ideal solution. We know many OB and Fly-away system facilities providers who carry a ‘First Aid Toolbox’ of yellobriks allowing them to rise to unexpected challenges on site. From long distance fibre extensions around obstacles that weren’t there during the survey, emergency fibre switching, 12G SDI format conversion, embedding additional audio feeds, generating Reference signals and frame synchronisation, to converting to a range of output formats for surprise additional feed or monitoring requirements, yellobrik has it covered.

But there are concerns and drawbacks to a modular approach in critical path or core infrastructure.

Reliability is probably the biggest concern for the programme maker or broadcaster. The LYNX reputation for reliability stems from attention to detail and control in all areas. Hardware and software design, and manufacturing takes place in Germany in our ISO 9001 Certified environment. Cost is obviously a big consideration for us, and the user, but we believe reliability and long-term value are more important. We will not compromise quality, performance, reliability, and support for the sake of a few Euro saving in the short term. The unrivalled reputation of yellobrik and their extensive use in live broadcast critical paths validates our quality driven philosophy.

Some aspects however are beyond our control. The provision of a redundant AC system power supply is an obvious precautionary measure built into most critical systems, but where does that leave the brik with its single AC/DC power adapter and single inlet socket. Lynx Technik offer a solution in the form of the yellobrik Rackframe which not 34 | Source Material by Canford

only accommodates up to 14 modules in as little as 1U of rack space but can optionally have a second external AC/DC power supply connected ensuring a seamless switch from the primary to backup AC should one source fail. The modules simply plug in to the rackframe slots and onto the fixed DC connectors and are locked in place from the rear. No DC cables are required to each module and GPI/O contacts allow monitoring of the rackframe power supplies.

Having set the standard for reliability and redundant power support, LYNX have pushed the boundaries of what can be achieved in a compact module.

Currently the range includes: • 4K format conversion (SQD<>2SI<>12G coax) • Frame Synchroniser • UPXD Converter / Scaler • HDMI <> SDI Conversion • Audio Embedding/De-embedding • Opical <> Copper conversion • Optical Switching • Quad Split Multiviewer • H.264 Encoder and Recorder - most with fibre SFP options.

Along with a range of passive CWDM multiplexer modules, the fibre transmission range offers the options of: • Copper to SM or MM fibre • Bi-Directional WDM on a single fibre • 18 channels of CWDM multiplex fibre - for transport of SDI from SD to 48K, Audio, MADI, Sync/ Analogue video, 10G and Gigabit ethernet and RS serial data/GPI and vice versa of course.

With the increases in functionality and the confidence of redundant powering, we continually see broadcast organisations incorporating yellobriks as permanent core infrastructure, both static and mobile. In fact, there are very few domestic and international sporting events and TV shows to which yellobrik has not made a vital contribution.

Call UK sales on +44(0)191 418 1122 or email sales@canford.co.uk

®

LYNXTechnik AG Broadcast Television Equipment

www.canford.co.uk/Lynx

All yellobrik modules connected via the RCT 1012 yellobrik Rack Controller are visible, monitored, and configurable remotely over the IP network and can be controlled by virtually any automation system.

Most yellobriks have a variety of internal configuration setting, some accessible via external DIP switches, and all including routing or multi option parameters accessible via a mini-USB socket which must be connected to PC or Mac running the free of charge yelloGUI intuitive graphical configuration software. Incidentally, a configuration can be saved offboard and reinstalled as required or copied to other modules of the same type. All yellobriks retain their parameter settings through power-cycles, vital for OB/fly-away use.

But what happens when a parameter change is needed?

Local direct access to each yellobrik is required, which may be physically challenging, impractical and time consuming, particularly at large or multi tech-location venues or studio complexes. Remote production and contribution bring their own new challenges.

Ideally there would be an access system allowing the user to configure, monitor and apply firmware updates to each yellobrik individually from any PC or Mac, via their local ethernet network, or a VPN to remote locations. In a perfect world, it would also interface with any existing automaton system and allow remote SNMPv2. control of the yellobriks by third-party software.

So, the RCT 1012 yellobrik Rack Controller was conceived.

The RCT 1012 is a compact one-slot yellobrik module designed to combine the control of up to 12 yellobrik modules via a single ethernet port. Each yellobrik is permanently connected by its mini-USB port to a USB socket on the RCT 1012, which in turn is connected by RJ45 to an existing ethernet network. The RCT 1012 automatically discovers the connected yellobriks and displays them in the installed yelloGUI control software anywhere on the network.

This networked provides a system for management and dynamic control of multiple yellobriks without requiring the local individual USB connection to each module every time a change is needed. Status monitoring and alarm functions are also included for every processing yellobrik and for all future fibre TX and RX modules with a mini-USB port.

To accommodate the increased configuration and monitoring capabilities and allow third party control of yellobriks, the next generation of the LYNX GUI has been introduced. Building on the established device tree structure of FlexGUI / APPolo Control for the series 5000 card and rackframe system, LYNXCentraal (yes, double ‘a’, not a typo) brings together total control and automation of series 5000, greenMachine and yellobrik in a single application for PC or Mac. (Fear not, for those not requiring this level of control a new version of the familiar yelloGUI is included in LYNXCentraal.)

So the yellobrik has truly come of age. Remote configuration and control, reliability and redundant power backup give the system designer the confidence to fully integrate yellobrik in automated, monitored and possibly remote core infrastructure.

All LYNX Technik equipment carries a 3-year warranty as standard, with optional extensions available. Manuals and a comprehensive Online Knowledgebase provides answers to most questions with email and telephone technical support and software updates provided free of charge for the life of the product. Finally, there is a fixed rate repair or replace service for out of warranty equipment for the whole of its production life, and for seven years after we discontinue a product.

Call International sales on +44(0)191 418 1133 or email international@canford.co.uk

Source Material by Canford | 35

Equipment Protection for 12G cameras

PROTECTING YOUR INVESTMENT AND SO MUCH MORE! Ground loops, unreliable power supplies or cables and doing everything in a rush can all combine to permit stray power signals being sent down video feeds. Also where a video feed is derived from two or more pieces of equipment, differing potentials of the equipment’s grounds may increase the risk of both signal distortion, and under certain circumstances a voltage difference may also lead to an equipment damaging electric shock.

LEN Galvanic Isolators have an excellent reputation for completely protecting equipment input video feeds from all these stray power voltages whilst letting through all the wanted video signals without distortion. LEN products have long been recognised as the preferred solution to protect equipment and prevent failure, especially when shooting “on location” such as a film set or live sporting event, as kit failure here has massive knock-on consequences to the shoot or live feed streams.

It is therefore perhaps no surprise that LEN were approached by users of new generation 12G video cameras for a solution to a problem they were experiencing with SDI ports being blown. Camera manufacturer advice on cable connection procedures and sequences designed to overcome the issue were seen as impractical in the real world of a shoot environment and even if the advice could be followed, what if a mistake was made or the camera battery failed creating a de facto variation to the recommended connection process?

36 | Source Material by Canford

LEN galvanic isolators were seen as the solution, protecting against stray currents and passing the video signal without distortion. But could LEN create an even better solution?

In response the design team at LEN have created a new product, the ‘PP Duo’ twin port protector, specifically designed for SDI Port Protection on 12G cameras and to provide two protected SDI output ports from the single camera SDI output BNC connector. Designed for 3G and higher formats only, this new isolator/splitter has been created to withstand and protect against the repetitive and damaging high transient loads that can be generated when swapping cables in the, far from ideal, circumstances of a shoot.

The LEN PP Duo provides both port protection with no signal distortion and two broadcast quality signals. Like all LEN products the new PP Duo is a passive design and so is small and lightweight. It requires no power supply, improving reliability and making it suitable for a wide range of applications.

Call UK sales on +44(0)191 418 1122 or email sales@canford.co.uk

The PP Duo features a custom designed enclosure for ease of mounting on a camera and carries an IP rating so that it is protected from dirt, rain or short immersion.

LEN are a leading provider of signal enhancement products and design and manufacture a broad range of galvanic ground isolators for 4K12G/3G/HD/SD SDI video use at their base in Crewe, England. A popular choice with Broadcast Engineers, these products provide full galvanic isolation of signal and ground paths, but also outperform broadband transformers for SDI signals, as they ensure that there is no distortion of the signal, by permitting the full bandwidth of the SDI signal to pass, whilst offering input and output impedance of 75 ohms and return loss better than 20dB. LEN’s Galvanic Isolator range includes models in encapsulated enclosures suitable for rack mounting within an accessory panel and inline ‘barrels’, more suitable for in-line / portable applications or tailboard mounting, for incoming external feeds.

As part of its 4K range of products LEN’s L4KGI range of 4K Video Galvanic Isolators support 6G and 12G SDI full signal and ground isolation and are fully compliant with the SMPTE ST-2081 and SMPTE ST-2082 standards defining 6G and 12G interfaces as well as being backwards compatible with existing standards.

In addition to widespread use in the broadcast industry, models from LEN’s range of Galvanic Isolators are also specified by members of the medical, security and defence communities, to support the safe operation of a broad range of essential and highly complex equipment. For example the imaging equipment in your local hospital legally requires protection for breakdown voltages of up to 4kV, whilst demanding video feeds of the highest quality.

Whether you are televising a summer festival, bringing tennis to the masses or working with medical grade applications, LEN’s range of Galvanic Isolators provide a cost effective, passive solution.

All LEN products are manufactured in England and undergo thorough testing within LEN’s own in-house test facility as part of a rigorous quality control process designed to test against industry standards and LEN’s own exacting specifications, ensuring LEN is well positioned to support broadcasters seeking to take advantage of the latest developments in UHD signal enhancement technologies.

LEN can be contacted via:Telephone: +44 (0) 1270 886157 Website: www.len.co.uk

www.len.co.uk Call International sales on +44(0)191 418 1133 or email international@canford.co.uk

Source Material by Canford | 37

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Professionals requiring leading-edge signal extension in the broadcast environment have some unique new options, courtesy of MuxLab. SMPTE’s development of ST-2110 for the transport of AV over an IP network in a broadcast environment is a game changer allowing for a complete redesign of work flows and increased interoperability and reliability of devices and signal transport. At the same time, industry organizations are continuing to work on the IPMX road map to bring together ProAV and Broadcast, with the implementation of NMOS. MuxLab’s problem solving solution allows the transmission of uncompressed 4K HDMI video over a 10G ethernet network with redundancy & NMOS support. The new ST2110 over IP MuxLab solution (model 500774) is ideal for commercial broadcast AV systems, news/sports/TV stations, and movie networks.

The AVoIP kit allows lower cost HDMI 4K equipment to be utilized in a broadcast environment and extended up to 1300ft (400m) via duplex multimode OM4 fibre with LC connectors, at up to 4K resolution @ 30Hz uncompressed, in a point to-point configuration. Point-to-multipoint and multipoint-to-multipoint configurations are also possible by connecting several units to a 10G Ethernet network.

The unit provides a 1G Ethernet Switch port for management purposes, and an RS232 port for remote control of end devices. The HDMI 4K/ST2110 over IP Uncompressed Gateway Converter also supports SMPTE ST-2110, and a Rest API for third party management as well as NMOS and ST-2022-7 Signal Redundancy for critical applications.

MuxLab also offers another ST-2110 solution in the 3G-SDI/ ST2110 over IP Uncompressed Gateway Converter (model 500767).This Converter allows HD-SDI and 3G-SDI equipment to be extended up to 100ft (30m) via UTP Cat 6a/7 cable or up to 1300ft (400m) via duplex multimode OM4 fibre with LC connectors, at up to 1080p resolution @ 60Hz uncompressed, in a point-to-point configuration, as well as point-to-multipoint and multipoint-to-multipoint configurations by connecting several units to a 10G Ethernet network. A new version of model 500767 which will also support redundancy and additional features is set to launch in Q4 2021.

Alongside these ST-2110 solutions, MuxLab provides a robust Broadcast line of Splitters, Capture cards, Extenders, Test Equipment, and Rackmount Displays.

Call International sales on +44(0)191 418 1133 or email international@canford.co.uk

Source Material by Canford | 39

König & Meyer has long done its part to protect the environment by manufacturing high-quality, highly durable products that are easy to take apart when they reach the end of their lifecycle, with individual parts being either recyclable or reusable. Now K&M is going one step beyond.

To meet the increasingly stringent requirements that apply to environmental protection, König & Meyer is introducing various new sustainable products made from bio-based plastics. Bio-based plastics are made from 50% to 100% renewable plant-based raw materials, such as cornstarch, cane or beet sugar, vegetable oils, and cellulose derived from cotton or wood. Using renewable raw materials helps conserve the world’s limited supply of petroleum and reduces CO2 emissions on average when compared to conventional

40 | Source Material by Canford

petroleum-based raw materials. Bioplastics are an especially good option for long-lasting products in particular, ensuring a positive environmental impact. At the same time, these plastics are just as sturdy, durable, and recyclable as conventional plastics, although they are not compostable or biodegradable.

If you ever need to dispose of the product you have purchased, please have it industrially recycled. Do not litter or place it in the compost.

Forward-looking business practices require responsible use of resources. Sustainably produced biological raw materials can help protect the climate and the environment and preserve biodiversity. Bio-based plastics are an important building block of this development, and they are undergoing continuous improvement and refinement. We monitor the current state of the art on an ongoing basis.

Call UK sales on +44(0)191 418 1122 or email sales@canford.co.uk

BIO-BASED PLASTICS – questions and answers: Why is K&M now using bio-based plastics?

Bio-based plastic is not a new invention, surprising as that may be. The first industrially produced plastic (1869) was a bioplastic – celluloid. It was not until later, in the early 20th century, that the first petroleum-based plastics like the ones we still use today were invented. These kinds of plastic were cheaper, so development shifted toward them from then on.

The world would have to wait until after 1980 for new innovations in bio-based plastics, driven mainly by changes in environmental awareness. Renewable raw materials and closed material cycles were major arguments for these plastics. Later, replacing petroleum as the main raw material became an important factor as oil prices rose and the finite supply of resources dwindled. Producing petroleum is also increasingly risky for the environment, involving processes such as fracking. The goal is to use bio-based plastics made from renewable raw materials to achieve all of the outstanding use characteristics familiar from petroleum-based plastics while also conserving finite resources on a sustainable basis.

Are there any disadvantages to the K&M products made of bio-based plastic?

No. The products we offer that are made with bio-based plastics have no disadvantages compared to products made from conventional petroleum-based plastic. This is because the bio-based plastics were specifically developed and adjusted for our applications, so they are just as sturdy and durable.

Why aren’t all off K&M’s plastic products bio-based?

We use many different kinds of plastic. The shift to bio-based plastics requires extensive development work. Not all biobased plastics have the properties we need for our products.

We are currently working on other products made from biobased plastics, which we will be adding to our product range over time.

Are products made from bio-based plastic biodegradable or compostable?

No. Not all bio-based plastics are automatically biodegradable or even compostable. Long-lasting products that are supposed to remain in use under all climatic conditions for years cannot be made biodegradable or compostable in the end using current technologies.

How should products made from bio-based plastics be disposed of?

If the products need to be disposed of at some point, please have them industrially recycled. In these processes, the bio-based plastic is either recycled or used to generate heat and energy. The CO2 naturally stored in the plant-based raw materials is then either released or CO2-neutral energy is generated.

Does the land cultivated to produce bio-based plastics compete with the land used to grow food?

Only 0.02 percent of all agricultural land worldwide is currently used to produce bio-based plastics. All of the petroleum-based plastics required around the world could theoretically be replaced by bio-based plastics today, and even then, the renewable raw materials needed to make them would only occupy ten percent of the acreage used to produce foods that end up being thrown away in our society.

In a growing market, however, it is definitely important to make sure that production of bio-based plastics does not compete with growing food, now or in the future. With this in mind, researchers are making huge efforts to use waste generated by the timber industry and agriculture, such as green cuttings and straw, as raw materials for producing biobased plastics.

What are harmful effects of growing renewable raw materials to produce plastics?

We view the use of fertilizers, pesticides, genetic engineering, and water to produce renewable raw materials through a critical lens. The goal for the future is also to ensure that the raw materials used to produce bio-based plastics come from sustainable agricultural production practices geared toward ecological criteria.

Why has K&M been using recycled plastics for decades?

We have always recycled by-products of our in-house plastic processing activities by regrinding them and feeding them back into the production cycle. We use between 15 and 20 tons of regranulate a year. This is plastic material that does not need to be produced again as new materials, so it conserves resources and energy.

Call International sales on +44(0)191 418 1133 or email international@canford.co.uk

Source Material by Canford | 41

Teamwork makes the dream work when it comes to Canford supporting system integrators with sports broadcasting and major stadium infrastructure projects

CANFORD BROADCAST INFRASTRUCTURE SOLUTIONS DELIVER A WINNING PERFORMANCE AT EURO 2020

By Stephen Gallagher, Canford Marketing Manager

Canford are proud to have supplied many of the Broadcast Infrastructure Solutions that were critical in bringing all the Euro 2020 live games to audiences around the world.

In recent years Canford has enhanced its reputation as the supplier of choice for custom metalwork. Its manufacturing facility in Portland, Dorset has designed and produced an array of custom solutions for prestigious projects. “ Canford typically supply all of the wall box connection plates which are located around the stadiums, along with all of the termination panels within the rack room.

We have produced custom rack enclosures to ensure the safe transportation of state-of-the-art flyaway kits, high-quality termination panels and a significant quantity of deployable SMPTE cables.

Our team brings an awful lot of experience to the table.

We can engage with the design process, adding value and often saving customers a lot of time, and money along the way. And we are nice, friendly people to deal with!”

Gavin Drake, Canford Production Manager Portland

42 | Source Material by Canford

Canford has supplied major sporting events for decades, and not just world football tournaments. Canford manufactured solutions have provided critical broadcast connectivity at Live Music Events, Olympic Games, Royal Weddings, Wimbledon and the International Festival for Business to name just a few.

The group continues to expand and develop its fibre termination facilities in order to meet rapidly increasing customer demand. The production workspace has been significantly enlarged, together with recruitment and training of additional staff.

Call UK sales on +44(0)191 418 1122 or email sales@canford.co.uk

“ There couldn’t be any better use of the phrase ‘teamwork makes the dream work’ when it comes to Canford supporting system integrators with sports broadcasting and major stadium infrastructure projects.

Canford’s fibre termination work mainly involves assembly of the complex connectors and cables used for video and audio connections, both installed in infrastructure and deployable for outside broadcast work. The majority is for use with high definition 4K UHD TV cameras used in premium live broadcasts and in broadcast studios. These products are significantly in demand for Canford’s export business with applications in national sports stadiums and broadcast centres, with significant sales to the Middle East.

Our system is set-up perfectly to manage these complex sports stadia enquiries. A combination of collaborative teamwork, which sees clients speaking directly with our design and production managers. Together with the experience we’ve gained from many years designing and manufacturing broadcast connectivity solutions come together from the moment we receive the call.

Add to that, our in-house manufacturing capabilities and on-going significant investments in both raw materials and manufacturing equipment such as our machining centres, laser engraving and SMPTE fibre termination equipment, and you begin to see why customers turn to Canford for these mission critical projects.”

Stephen Gallagher, Canford Marketing Manager

For more information about Canford’s custom metalwork solutions and in-house fibre termination service please contact Sales.

FIBRECO HMA TERMINATIONS Fibreco Expanded Beam connector termination

•W ithstands harsh environments, such as Touring and Festivals

• R eliable with reduced sensitivity to dust and dirt contaminants

• Time saving hermaphroditic mating • Simple, on-site cleaning • Singlemode and Multimode versions • Custom cable assemblies available

CONTACT OUR SALES TEAM UK sales t: +44 (0)191 4181122 e: sales@canford.co.uk Int sales t: +44 (0)191 4181133 e: international@canford.co.uk www.canford.co.uk

Call International sales on +44(0)191 418 1133 or email international@canford.co.uk

Source Material by Canford | 43

BALANCING THE BOOKS

By Jennifer Cassidy, Canford Marketing Creative Designer

You may have noticed since our fourth edition of Source Material, we have featured the ‘World Land Trust’ logo on the front cover. But what does it mean…

What is World Land Trust?

Carbon Balancing & Carbon Balanced Paper

World Land Trust (WLT) was founded in 1989, and is an international conservation charity. It protects the world’s most biodiverse and threatened habitats.

Since its launch in 2013, more than 2,000 UK organisations have used Carbon Balanced Paper. As a result it is estimated that the release of more than 153,000 tonnes of CO2 has been prevented and 13,140 acres of endangered land has been preserved.

Sir David Attenborough became a patron of the trust in 2003. He states: “The money that is given to the World Land Trust, in my estimation, has more effect on the wild world than almost anything I can think of.” Sir David Attenborough “To date, WLT has been instrumental in the purchase and protection of more than 540,000 acres of habitat in Africa, Asia, Central and South America and the UK to create reserves, and give permanent protection to habitats and wildlife.” https://carbonbalancedpaper.com/

Carbon Balanced Paper is achieved through the purchase of ecologically important land such as forests under threat of clearance.

Preventing deforestation also prevents the release of carbon and enables the continued absorption of carbon dioxide.

Unfortunately some carbon emissions are unavoidable, but the impact can be offset by using Carbon Balanced Paper.

Our decision to use Carbon Balanced Paper for Source Material magazine resulted last year to balancing the equivalent of 3,484kg of carbon dioxide. This support helped protect 2,439m2 of critically threatened tropical forest.

Carbon balancing is recognised as one of the fastest ways to halt the rise of CO2 in the atmosphere and therefore reduce the effects of global warming.

Find out more at www.carbonbalancedpaper.com

CBP005028 44 | Source Material by Canford

Call UK sales on +44(0)191 418 1122 or email sales@canford.co.uk

Taking this action helps reduce the carbon footprint of Canfords printed, marketing communications and its impacts on climate change.

But it doesn’t stop there...

Canford aims to protect and improve the environment through good management and by adopting best practice wherever possible company wide, therefore reducing any environmental impacts of the business on our planet. With this in mind, this year we have opted for carbon balanced wrapped paper packaging. “We are always striving to do things better. Recycling and carbon balancing is so important in the fight against climate change and its effects.

Every little bit helps”. Jennifer Cassidy

Example: Certificate CBP005024 - issued for Source Material Magazine 2021

by using Carbon Balanced Paper for A4 Magazine

Canford Audio has balanced through World Land Trust the equivalent of

3,484kg of carbon dioxide This support will enable World Land Trust to protect

2,439m2 of critically threatened tropical forest Issued on 05/11/2020 - Certificate number CBP005024 Presented by Elanders World Land Trust's Carbon Balanced project sites offset emissions through the protection of tropical forest under imminent threat of deforestation and degradation.

For further information on the land area preserved through your use of Carbon Balanced Paper please visit www.carbonbalancedpaper.com and www.worldlandtrust.org/what-we-do/carbon-balanced

www.neal.co.uk

NO DISPUTE INTERVIEW RECORDING With fraud soaring, compensation claims at an all-time high and the average disciplinary hearing or unfair dismissal costing companies thousands, impartially recording important interviews is becoming an essential way of working.

Benefits of NEAL Interview Recorders • Simultaneous accurate, reliable and impartial recording • Time and Date stamping on all recordings • Ease of use by non-technical staff • S tandard recording format for ease of replay and transcription • Portable and fixed location recorders • One, two and three disc versions available

Call International sales on +44(0)191 418 1133 or email international@canford.co.uk

Source Material by Canford | 45

Unmatched sound meets award-winning design

Combine the renowned 5 mm capsules with CORE by DPA technology and innovative, award-winning headset construction, and you have the next level in headset solutions.

Available in both omnidirectional as well as cardioid variants, these are the most advanced 5 mm headsets available. If you are looking for a one-size-fits-all, durable and flexible headset solution to capture clear and accurate sound while remaining comfortably in place, then look no further.

4466 CORE Omnidirectional Headset Microphone 4488 CORE Directional Headset Microphone

dpamicrophones.com/headset

THE WORLD’S MOST PRECOCIOUS SPEAKER

The Divine is a small, un-assuming looking speaker, and at first glance doesn’t look too unusual…. until you get into the details.The devil is always in the detail! The Divine is beautifully built from diecast aluminium. It looks wonderful and is reassuringly solid at 1.7kg Divine Networking The Divine is a Dante/AES67 network audio speaker, with PoE powering its class D amplifier, from a compatible switch or midspan PoE injector. This means just a single network cable via the EtherCON connection. As well as power, this connection provides 4 audio sources from the network that are available for monitoring. Just connect the Divine to your network and four audio destinations are available when controlling the routing via Dante Controller.

There is a volume pot for level which goes all the way up to 11! Both the volume and input select button can be disabled separately so the user can’t have any control. The input trim of any individual channel can be adjusted by the user by holding the select button when on a channel and adjusting the level control.

For a speaker, transmit channels are not required but the Divine does output a 1kHz test tone back to the network, which is an appreciated feature.

Divine User The 4 channels can be monitored individually, in pairs, or all 4 mixed together, via the front panel selection button which loops through the available options. This is very useful for monitoring a programme source and a talkback channel together, or if you just need to monitor multi channel audio on a single speaker. Channels or channel mixes can be limited however so the user can’t get to them!

48 | Source Material by Canford

Call UK sales on +44(0)191 418 1122 or email sales@canford.co.uk

Divine Control There are no less that 22 configurable parameters on the Divine. It certainly keeps all the configuration well hidden and it is a surprise when you start to experience the extent of the options available.

There is a small display on the back of the Divine that allows control of the main options and happily this can be security locked.

The main control though will almost certainly be with the main Glensound Windows 10 remote application called GlenController. This allows control of the 22 variable parameters, and is also a real time monitor of the individual and channel mix levels.

For reference, this is the list of possible adjustments (take a deep breath!): level control; individual input trim, individual channel audio delay, voice EQ filter, channel disable, minimum volume, maximum volume, volume boost, 3 level channel priority, priority announcement level, dim level on priority interrupt, meter mode DOTS or PPM, password, brightness, dark mode, button disable, pot disable, lineup level, EQ settings, LF cut, phase, peer group and finally, power save!

As Glensound upgrade the remote functionality, upgrades for individual or whole groups of speakers is simple. Select the Divine’s you wish to upgrade via GlenController and press go. GlenController links to the Glensound servers and installs the most update firmware. Very painless.

Divine Interruption The most interesting of the Divine features is the priority interrupt. Put quite simply, you can just select an input to have priority over the others. For example. Let’s say the Divine is in a theatre dressing room, with the show relay on input 1 so the cast can hear the show. Input 2 is the Stage Manager and is set as a priority. When the Stage Manager needs an actor on stage, they make a page announcement.

This interrupts the show relay in the dressing room. The actor hears the call and then after the call the audio reverts to the show relay on input 1.

You can set the priority order of all 4 inputs in this way – fire alarm input, paging, background audio for example.

As the Divine is just listening for audio, it can come from any source on the network. Out of interest, even if the user turns the speaker all the way down, they will still get the priority calls!

Divine Grouping Another interesting feature is grouping, with 10 groups to choose from. If an adjustment is made on one speaker, either directly or via the remote, all other speakers in the same group will adjust at the same time. This means if there are 4 Divine’s in a room or you are using them for multi channel audio, you only need to make one level adjustment for all the speakers.

Divine Sound The Glensound design team have made a great job of making the Divine punchy. It is surprisingly powerful and does a great job in monitoring or background audio situations.

There are various EQ settings for a flat sound or more appealing settings for music.You can also set specific voice EQ separately per input which really creates extra punch for speech material.

Divine Options The Divine launched in all black. With the increasing demand for commercial applications, an all white versions has been added with a white grille and buttons.

Divine Installation There is no need for any expensive dedicated brackets for the Divine. The rear features a standard 75mm VESA mount allowing use of the hundreds of different types of VESA mounts available at a very low cost. For desk or stage mounting, there is also a full size mic thread on the base to allow use with mic stands.

Divine Awards The first major exhibition of 2021 for Glensound was the PLASA Show in London where their awards, “celebrate pioneering technology, through new materials or methods that increase safety, efficiency or performance.” The Divine won, with the judges commenting, “The feature set and price set the Divine apart from the competition”. We believe the awards list would’ve been extensive if there were any exhibitions happening during 2020!

Call International sales on +44(0)191 418 1133 or email international@canford.co.uk

Source Material by Canford | 49

Noise Cancelling Headphones from Lindy Introducing Lindy BNX.The multi-award winning wireless noise cancelling headphones that deliver outstanding performance at an affordable price.

The Lindy BNX range is made up of three feature packed models that benefit from Lindy’s years of experience in implementing effective active noise cancelling and reliable Bluetooth wireless technologies. From the best selling BNX-60 to the latest BNX-80 and BNX-100XT featuring, auto pause, audio pass through and cutting edge hybrid noise cancelling performance.

BNX-60

BNX-80

BNX-100XT

Discover why What Hi-Fi, Stuff, Computeractive, Expert Reviews and many others consistently award Lindy noise cancelling headphones best in class for performance and value.

AWARD

2021

Lindy BNX-100XT

Lindy Noise Cancellation Technology

Ambient noise is detected by built-in microphones

Lindy BNX headphones use Active Noise Cancelling technology to reduce up to 98% of external noise (BNX-80 model).

Miniature built-in microphones monitor ambient sound. The headphone’s active electronic noise cancellation circuitry then generates an inaudible audio signal that is exactly inverse to the incoming noise. This inverse ‘anti-phase’ signal effectively ‘cancels out’ the incoming signal to provide a more comfortable, relaxing listening experience without the disturbance of external noise.

Noise cancelling circuitry generates an inverse signal

The incoming noise is cancelled out by the inverse, anti-phase signal

Hybrid Design Lindy BNX-80 and BNX-100XT headphones feature Hybrid Noise Cancellation technology. This system incorporates noise detection microphones placed externally on the earpieces (Feedforward) and inside the speaker driver assembly (Feedback). This combined microphone system provides superior noise suppression over a wider range of frequencies regardless of the direction of the sound or how the listener wears the headphones.

Internal noise detection microphone is integrated into the driver assembly

50 | Source Material by Canford

External noise detection microphones are mounted on each earpiece

Call UK sales on +44(0)191 418 1122 or email sales@canford.co.uk

The Beat Goes On All Lindy Noise Cancelling Wireless Headphones feature switchable noise cancelling and wired operation. This allows the headphones to continue to be used in non wireless, non noise cancelling modes when the built-in battery is exhausted or to preserve battery life.

All models feature on-ear controls for convenient operation of audio playback and hands-free calls. Voice dialling is also supported.

Superior Audio

Twin Pairing

Lindy BNX headphones use 40mm dynamic high fidelity neodymium drivers to provide a warm, clear response across the full frequency range.

The BNX-80 and BNX-100XT feature a twin-pairing mode that allows two devices to be connected simultaneously for uninterrupted audio switching.

Audio Pass-Through

Bluetooth for Wireless Freedom

Audio Pass-Through mode on the BNX-100XT can be enabled or disabled using a button on the headphones to reduce playback volume, so you never miss the most important background audio such as in-flight announcements and work conversations.

Using Bluetooth 4.1 (BNX-60) and Bluetooth 5.0 (BNX80, BNX-100xX) and aptX® streaming technology, high resolution wireless audio performance is assured at a range of up to 10m from the connected audio source device.

Auto Pause The BNX-100XT’s Auto-Pause technology uses an advanced motion sensor in the right ear cup to pause your audio when removing the headphones and resume playback when putting them back on, allowing you to never miss a second of audio playback.

Maximum Comfort

Fast Charging, Long Lasting

Lightweight with a cushioned headband and ear pads that feature a soft protein leather, over ear design to provide a comfortable, immersive experience and less fatigue over extended listening periods.

Lindy BNX headphones charge via USB so you can connect to a standard USB charger or your PC to charge. A single charge can last up to 35 hours for wireless noise cancelling use (BNX-80 model).

Call International sales on +44(0)191 418 1133 or email international@canford.co.uk

Source Material by Canford | 51

READY MADE CABLE SERVICE • Time: Save valuable time on-site • Reliable: Fast next day delivery available •C ustom: Rapid-response cable production •Q uality: Hand-made using superior components CONTACT OUR SALES TEAM FOR MORE INFORMATION UK sales t: +44 (0)191 4181122 e: sales@canford.co.uk Int sales t: +44 (0)191 4181133 e: international@canford.co.uk Call International sales on +44(0)191 418 1133 or email international@canford.co.uk

Source Material by Canford | 53 www.canford.co.uk

74-5277 / 74-5278 / 74-5279 SHURE ADX5D RADIOMIC PORTABLE RECEIVER

Shure’s Axient Digital Wireless system, a mainstay in the touring and theatre industry is now completing the picture for Broadcast audio with the introduction of the new ADX5D portable receiver.

When Shure created the world’s first single element unidirectional microphone in 1939 – the Model 55 Unidyne, its distinct styling has become the most recognizable microphone in the world. With a small design change in 1951, the Shure 55S became a celebrity in its own right, It’s the Elvis mic, the mic seen on all the posters and it even has it’s own emoji.

In 1953 Shure launched their first wireless microphone with the introduction of the Vagabond 88 system, powered by two batteries the system transmitted within a performance circle of approximately 700 square feet. Even in 1953 wireless users were still subject to local regulations on transmission of wireless audio and now in 2021 UHF spectrum for wireless use is considerably smaller than it ever has been.

Users of wireless audio systems have been fortunate to have access to the UHF spectrum – put simply these are radio frequencies used for the transmission of anything from TV to Radio to Video links and we share that space with those incumbents.

As an engineer, you understand that your microphones are the first device in the signal chain; anything that happens from this point will directly affect the final show, production, or event. As those responsible for ensuring the audio remains uncompromised, we as professionals know the importance of retaining access to clean, high-quality RF spectrum.

We now live in a connected world, where consumers expect instant connectivity across a multitude of devices. The power and convenience this brings to our daily lives is undoubtedly important, but it also means that RF spectrum has never been in such widespread use by the general public. As such the demand for wireless mics and IFB is increasing, but the space available in which to operate is decreasing. What’s critical to understand is this will make operating wireless mics more difficult.

The technology available to design professional quality, digital wireless systems has now advanced to a level where we can now run much higher

54 | Source Material by Canford

channel counts in reduced clear spectrum. The improved efficiency is down to more predictable deviation of digital wireless signals when compared to a frequencymodulated analogue signal; this, in turn, allows for tighter channelto-channel frequency spacing. In many cases, digital systems can deliver nearly twice the channel count in the same spectrum as their analogue cousins.

Demand for wireless microphones increases year-on-year, while at the same time, the amount of clear spectrum available is shrinking. More mics in less space means it’s going to get crowded pretty quickly, and the amount of bandwidth required needs to be reduced to keep up with demand. Wireless spectrum is a finite resource; there is only so much to go around. If the demand for wireless products across the board continues to increase at the current pace, all users will need to be more spectrally efficient (including consumer goods) In summary solid RF knowledge is crucial but remains a somewhat misunderstood skill that should be a top priority for production companies and engineers from all corners of the industry. For this reason, Shure remains committed to education, offering essential training in wireless equipment and coordination and we continue to develop products that push the industry forward.

Call UK sales on +44(0)191 418 1122 or email sales@canford.co.uk

SAM-Q-SDI: CHOOSE HOW YOU WANT TO WORK Advances in technology are enabling the creation of ever more exciting content, as well as serving to increase new possibilities in content delivery. Comprehensive audio monitoring tools are now becoming a ‘must have’ for those needing to guarantee both content quality and quality of service.

Audio level meter displays, audio loudness measurement tools and audio metadata monitoring are at the very foundation of what audio professionals are used to. However, as technologies evolve, engineers and operators require audio solutions that also serve to improve their workflows.

Built on the SAM-Q platform, the SAM-Q-SDI brings the freedom to monitor SDI, MADI, AES and analogue audio sources with maximum operational efficiency, offering multiple modes and up-gradable licences within one unit, ensuring that you get the most value out of your investment.

One Platform, Multiple Modes - Choose how you want to work.

Feature Set The SAM-Q range of audio monitors from TSL are unique in their ability to allow you to tailor their operation to the environment in which they will be used. Supporting a number of operational modes which can be enabled and disabled as required, the SAM-Q is equally at home in operational positions in studio facilities to OB trucks, master control positions and playout facilities.

With the range of modes available it can be configured to meet the usage requirements and skill level of its location, before menu access is locked-down to ensure that the configuration isn’t unintentionally changed.

channel selection. The video mode provides 16 audio level meters and single or multiple channel selection, complete with video confidence display. The mix mode is a graphical gain bar representation showing the relative mix levels of up to 8 audio sources. The names mode allows selection from 8 named audio sources, including audio presence indicators. Finally, the phase metering mode displays 8 sources and allows one audio source to be selected, monitored and checked for audio phase.

Additional Licenses The SAM-Q is an all-round workhorse. With a comprehensive range of functionality included as standard, it also offers additional functionality that can be purchased separately and installed as licenses. This includes three loudness monitoring modes across 8 independent loudness probes, providing short-term, momentary and integrated loudness monitoring which can be logged to an external server. Finally, with the MADI license, customers will be able to mix, monitor and measure up to 128 MADI sources on the SAM-Q-SDI. Adopting a licensed approach means that customers need only purchase the audio monitoring functionality they need.

Should audio monitoring requirements change, additional licences can be purchased as required to accommodate them, helping to protect a customer’s existing investment.

At TSL’s core, remains the desire to maintain technical excellence and to keep pace with the latest technologies and industry standards. Any new platform from TSL comes complete with a roadmap designed in response to today’s rapid changing environments. Of course, maintaining a user-friendly experience, regardless of the advances in underlying technology is paramount to customer satisfaction.

Modes of Operation There are five standard modes included in the SAM-QSDI. Firstly, a traditional audio meter mode that displays 16 audio level meters with single or multiple audio

In this world of ever-changing requirements, TSL will provide customers with new and more inventive audio monitoring solutions. Not all customers wish to visualise, measure or control their audio in the same way, so the ability to configure an audio monitor based on the task at hand is becoming more important than ever before.

56 | Source Material by Canford

Call UK sales on +44(0)191 418 1122 or email sales@canford.co.uk

UK Touring and Live Events STATE OF THE NATION – An update I have received many descriptions of this past year – crazy world, surreal times to paraphrase a few. Whilst not having come through it unscathed ourselves, we have been fortunate enough to survive this extremely challenging period largely intact when sadly, some have not.The last 18 months has been about adapting to ensure survival, the next 18 months is about recovery…….

By Erika Dobie, UK Business Development Manager I think it is fair to say that we are not out of the woods yet with Covid infection rates currently rising again and the potential new variants still posing a threat. Combining this together with the additional complication of red tape with travel/work restrictions for the touring industry and the shortage of experience and specialist technical expertise continue to make for a very worrying and unsettling time. There are warnings that it could take at least another 3 years for the UK live music and events industry to recover and it may not resume to the same market leading status mantle that it had proudly become.

Theatres have been thrown into darkness and large venues lost 75% of their income in 2020. We have seen the launch of a new government backed £1.57bn Culture Recovery fund from The Arts Council which has come to the aid of the arts sector covering theatres, heritage sites and small venue trusts. Some within the live music sector have been granted funds from the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS) while the stages fell silent, but this all needs to be paid back…

Many companies have had to adapt to the best of their ability and do whatever is necessary to ride the storm. Whilst it’s also had its challenges, the installation market has managed to see its way through with us seeing a multitude of remote, virtual and recording studio builds steaming ahead with music, conferences and live events being streamed as the slightly reluctant but necessary ‘new normal’. Canford has also been 58 | Source Material by Canford

integral to the supply chain of broadcast system integrators when sports events came back to life with the Euros and the Olympics, as well as the continued supply of products including custom manufactured ‘transport proof ’ racks and panels into stadia for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.

Andy Dockerty, MD of Adlib and key campaigner for ‘We Make Events’ comments: “ The live events industry has endured a horrific 18 months.

Having seen many companies fall by the wayside since the initial lockdown in March 2020, there is still a long way to go for all of the existing organisations within the live industry supply chain. The industry was never told to close and consequently many organisations missed out on grants/rate relief that other sectors like hospitality benefitted from. Throughout the whole period from 20th March 2020 to 19th July 2021, the live events industry could not work. Hospitality at least had opportunities to work throughout that period albeit they had restrictions meaning that they probably did not make any money but had the advantage of minimising their losses. The live events supply chain unfortunately continued to accrue debt throughout the whole period. Many organisations report business was between 90% and 95% down on previous years. The sector was basically disproportionately disadvantaged in comparison to almost every other sector throughout the whole of lock down. Then came the government announcement of the 19th July 2021.

From the beginning of lock down, the government had stated that upon opening up society they would review mass gatherings and large indoor gatherings. Consequently on the Call UK sales on +44(0)191 418 1122 or email sales@canford.co.uk

19th July, the majority of the live events Industry was shocked that no restrictions were applied to anything. The good news being we returned slightly quicker than anticipated.

The bad news being the whole sector was not ready for it and were completely under resourced. Every element of the sector is suffering from various issues. One of the major issues being the incredible lack of staff that all organisations are suffering from. We predicted at the beginning of all this that people would leave the industry - and they have. Many senior technicians have moved into other sectors with more resources, like App writing, code writing or game writing for example. There are many people still not confident enough to return and are still in driving jobs or working in supermarkets. Others (although they may have loved the sector) have reviewed its demands and wish to be at home in the evenings and weekends. They have completely changed their livelihoods even if they do not earn what they did when they were touring. Combine this with people who have had to return home since Brexit and the whole sector has lost many of its specialist skilled technicians and crew and is now suffering massively as a consequence. As predicted, when our sector was allowed to open back up, it was not expected to return so quickly and without any restrictions.

Consequently, venues, production warehouses and the entire live events supply chain are currently vastly understaffed.

The sector is also suffering from the inability of manufacturers to supply product. Due to the worldwide shortage of electronic components, many manufacturers are not able to supply product. This affects both the rental and installation markets. Manufacturers’ costs are also rising sharply due to material shortages and the astronomical rise in containers and freight. This of course provides further stress to the live Sector as it may not be able to deliver the latest specifications required. It affects installation and sales markets due to the fact that delivery dates and quotes are struggling to be honoured at the pricing initially quoted.

Just to add to this, we have the wonder of Brexit. The true effects of this have not hit our sector yet and are somewhat masked by the Covid crisis. The UK production industry is set up to serve Europe, not just the UK. All major US, Canadian, Australian and in fact most worldwide artists will utilise UK production companies to serve their tours throughout the UK and Europe. We are the world leader. As it currently stands with there being basically a no deal Brexit for our sector, the large amount of income generated from Europe for UK organisations could come to an end. The current cabotage regulations around trucking render UK companies touring around Europe improbable. Any truck leaving the UK has to return to the UK within 7 days and can only do 3 drops. This of course means that EU touring as it currently stands is impossible. There appears to be a reluctance from the government to even broach the subject with the industry.

Lord Frost has been invited to meetings to discuss this

and has either failed to turn up or declined to attend.

We sincerely hope that we receive more clarity in the near future otherwise one of the UK’s greatest exports and industries will decline through no fault of the sector itself.

So to conclude, our sector, the live events supply chain, is massively underappreciated and not truly supported by government. As #WeMakeEvents, we shall continue working to get SIC codes reviewed. To explain, SIC codes are utilised by the government to determine what sector the taxation is coming in from. Currently our sector comes under the title “other” followed by numerous codes thereafter to select.

If we all come under the one code when surrendering our corporation tax returns, the government may start to appreciate that we are a £70bn sector and not just an industry which ultimately provides the nation with events that generate a feel good factor. It is not just art, it provides huge income to the UK economy. Prior to lock-down, it was the fastest growing sector in the UK. It is an industry that currently has massive staff shortages and it will likely be a while before there are enough people to fill all of the vast gaps. The good news is that we have returned and there is lots of work, however, let us not forget that we have all accrued huge debt that now needs to be paid alongside all the normal working costs. Combine this with rapidly rising prices of both equipment and general running costs (fuel, trucking etc.) and it is only a matter of time that many organisations are going to struggle to clear those debts that have accumulated through lock-down. Regrettably I feel we may lose more companies over the next 12 months or so and then there is Brexit…. Covid is the here and now, Brexit is for life. The true devastation of that is yet to be revealed.

The sector has never suffered from shortages and stress in quite the way that it is at the moment. The next 12 months will be unstable and worrying for many. We would hope that over the next 12 months there will be positive progression around Brexit and some overdue government support for a sector that has been disproportionately disadvantaged. It is fabulous we are back working again and it is looking busy for the next 12 months.

However, we all need more recognition and support.’ ” It is finally good to see the return of in-person events albeit there is likely to be a little trepidation for some and ticket sales are still down in comparison to pre-Covid times.

Government guidelines relating to vaccine passports vary across the UK. However, venues are encouraged to request proof of vaccination, negative test result or recent immunity.

This was indeed the way forward for Plasa 2021. The show received high acclaim, it was well attended and it was a great platform for the industry to come back to life and to share stories of the last 18 months through in-person face to face contact and not via a video screen. Long awaited customer visits have resumed and fingers crossed for a speedy recovery.

Call International sales on +44(0)191 418 1133 or email international@canford.co.uk

Source Material by Canford | 59

LEADING EVENT PRODUCTION COMPANY COMMISSIONS ARRAY OF CUSTOM MANUFACTURED SOLUTION FROM CANFORD Now in its 20th year of trading, long-standing Canford client Sound of Music Limited have established themselves as one of the UK’s leading providers of Event Production and Audio-Visual Equipment Hire Services.

By Stephen Gallagher, Canford Marketing Manager and Sash Pochibko, Sound of Music MD

From its headquarters in Derby, UK and led by MD Sash Pochibko, the team prides itself on its outstanding attention to detail and technical production expertise. Sound of Music promises its clients the very best in event technology, customer support and unforgettable results regardless of the size of event or budget.

Despite severe flood damage to their warehouse in 2019 with the highest river levels ever recorded in The Derwent, the company continues to invest in and maintain an impressive arsenal of state-of-the-art production equipment. This incorporates Audio, Lighting, LED screens & Video Production, Staging, Power Distribution, Live Webcasting and On-line Interactive Event Technology.

Sash Pochibko, Sound of Music MD recalls: “We sustained significant water damage to the ground floor and lost a lot of equipment. Thankfully our team were safe, they all did a remarkable job of quickly turning what resembled a sewage plant back into a functioning hire-co, enabling us to service our customers without much interruption.”

The resulting damage created a need to replace several mains distribution units. The team turned to Canford and the EMO range. Established in 1973 and manufactured by Canford in Washington, Tyne & Wear, EMO products are known to ‘withstand years of abuse on the road’, earning their reputation for reliability in professional studios, touring and conference systems worldwide.

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Sound of Music engineers took the opportunity to engage with Canford Manufacturing to supply a custom batch of the popular EMO E618 power distribution panel for a new series of touring-spec amplifier racks they were preparing for hire stock.

Erika Dobie, Canford Business Development Manager comments: “Although the EMO range is expansive, Sash asked if we could add an extra 20A breaker and make changes to increase the Powercon outlet capacity. And of course we could! That’s the beauty of having design and manufacturing in-house.”

As a solutions provider, developing products that eradicate hassle and more importantly cost, is integral to Canford’s offer. Clients get to speak directly with experienced design and manufacturing staff. This collaborative approach draws on an unrivalled knowledge base within Canford and delivers costeffective custom solutions for customers.

Sound of Music are no strangers to Canford’s custom manufacturing services. In addition to the EMO mains distribution units, the team also commissioned the Call UK sales on +44(0)191 418 1122 or email sales@canford.co.uk

“Sash asked if we could add an extra 20A breaker and make changes to increase the Powercon outlet capacity. And of course we could! That’s the beauty of having design and manufacturing in-house.”

Erika Dobie

production of several Audio Splitter Panels. These would be used to passively split signals between multiple mixing consoles and control positions. Tourline multipin connectors were utilised, breaking out to multiple XLRs for flexibility.

These high-quality, rigid aluminium extruded Canford rack panels were supplied pre-wired, finished with a durable powder coating and laser engraving.

More recently Sash tasked Canford to manufacture a custom ‘PAT tester connectivity interface’.

As Sound of Music’s hire and installation business continues to grow, so does the need to maintain & test equipment to a high standard. Commercially available PAT testers are good at testing electrical appliances, but no single tester would cater for the mix of power connector types you’d expect to find in a leading rental company.

Sash Pochibko, Sound of Music MD comments: “The only thing that matches our passion for providing a great service, is our geekery for equipment – the tools of our trade!

We love our equipment, so we look after it. Maintaining it to the highest standard and latest safety regulations. To streamline our service dept and increase efficiency, I doodled a design for what was essentially a glorified adaptor cable – but one which included every type of mains connector we had in the warehouse. We can now test every possible combination of mains extension and adaptor cable we might come across, all conveniently mounted in a rack-mountable enclosure. The

designers at Canford came back with an initial panel layout.

It was great to be in direct conversation with the production team, they are extremely welcoming and knowledgeable in their field. I was able to request modifications to the design which they quickly came back with updated drawings for.

It’s always a pleasure to deal with Canford. Whether you’re looking to manufacture just a single item or a batch of many identical items – the service is always great!”

About Canford: Formed in 1976, Canford serves a diverse range of customers from its headquarters in Washington, Tyne & Wear. In recent years Canford has enhanced its reputation as the supplier of choice for custom metalwork in the broadcast, live events and touring markets. Canford is architect-specified for audio and video connection points in many of the highest profile sports stadiums in both Europe and the Middle East, as well as theatres and conference facilities.

Custom metalwork contact: Canford Manufacturing – Portland e: custommetal@canford.co.uk T: +44 191 418 1122 Call International sales on +44(0)191 418 1133 or email international@canford.co.uk

Source Material by Canford | 61

YOU CAN TAKE THE LAD OUT OF YORKSHIRE….

Canford has enhanced its reputation as the supplier of choice for high-quality custom metalwork in the broadcast and pro AV industries over recent years. From its facility in Portand, Dorset, UK, Canford is now regularly involved with the world’s most prestigious live sports broadcasting, infrastructure projects and is regularly manufacturing connectivity solutions for major recording studios. Key to this success is the huge wealth of experience on the team at Canford. Design and technical staff work hand-in-hand with clients who get direct access to our skilled team at Portland. Customers might raise an eyebrow when their call to Portland is answered by a friendly, if not a little difficult to understand, Yorkshireman! In between brews, Gavin Drake heads up our Portland Manufacturing Team and hails from Elland (a little known town up North!).

Canford Marketing & Graphic Designer Jennifer Cassidy caught up with Gavin to ask how on earth he ended up at Canford on the Isle of Portland.

You have been running our metalwork facility on the Isle of Portland in Dorset for over 22 years but can you tell us a little more about yourself?

My life began 54 years ago in a little Northern town called Elland which is situated between Huddersfield and Halifax and is in the industrial heartland of what was the West Riding of Yorkshire. I was born into a stereotypical working class family. The middle son of 6 siblings. Growing up in such a large family we had very little but never went hungry and we were happy. In a time before computers and smart phones life was somewhat more straightforward and consisted of going to school before being let loose in the locality to cause a reasonable degree of mayhem (probably just below the level where the Police might be involved as that would never end well in those days!). I became street wise at a fairly early age and that stands me in good stead to this day, along with the classic Yorkshire trait of being friendly if a little too blunt on occasion. There is also that strange sense of humour that comes as standard with the odd accent and dialect….

You mention school. Did you enjoy it and what did you achieve?

I went to the local comprehensive. Despite being one of the brightest pupils I fell out of love with school in my early teens and stopped making an effort, I left at 16 with few qualifications. This wasn’t unexpected for me or many of my peers. Our social groups had few aspirations and the belief that our paths were to leave school at the first opportunity, and go on to manual work within a factory as our parents had done before us. I initially secured an engineering apprenticeship within a local company at 16 but was let go at 18 by the owner who decided I wasn’t cut-out for a career in engineering! From there I moved on to working within a plastic injection moulding company where I remained for 11 years before moving to the South.

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On that note what exactly brought you to the South of England?

So over 11 years at the injection moulding company I’d worked my way up to the position of Materials Supervisor supporting the Purchasing Manager in procuring and managing raw materials and components. I had also gained a significant amount of production experience and an excellent understanding of how things worked, or as was more often the case didn’t! In 1996 our Managing Director left to purchase a large injection moulding company in the New Forest. He subsequently offered me a better role within this company and seeing the opportunity to progress I moved my entire family 270 miles South to somewhere I’d barely heard of before (I initially thought it was in Germany until I discovered that was actually the Black Forest…..). It initially went very well and within 2 years I had been promoted to Operations Manager with full control of production and purchasing.

This was sadly where the good news ended as before I was able to fully take up the role the company was forced into closure.

So from here how did you end up joining Canford in late 1999?

I subsequently secured a role as Production Manager at an Electronics company in Southampton some 20 miles away from where I lived. I thought long and hard before accepting the position because the idea of a 40 mile round trip every day did not appeal. This company then decided they were moving to Wimbledon and there was no way I was making that round trip every day so I was on the move again.

This is where my Canford journey begins. I had sent my CV to a local recruitment company where the story goes that it landed on the desk of one of their consultants at exactly the Call UK sales on +44(0)191 418 1122 or email sales@canford.co.uk

same time as a job description from Canford Audio based in the North East who were looking for a Production Manger to join their recently acquired operation in Portland. It was apparently the easiest match he had ever made as the two just fitted perfectly with the exception of the fact I lived 60 miles away from Portland in the New Forest. Again until that point I had never heard of Portland other than as the children’s television series Portland Bill!

So then there was the interview which was held in a hotel on Portland - not on site? Later I discovered the reason was a fear that anybody who saw the state of the factory would never accept the role! It’s fair to say that the interview went well and shortly afterwards I had a job offer for a role that would now mean a 120 mile trip every day! Being unemployed wasn’t an option nor was Wimbledon so I decided to accept and thought I could cope for a few months whilst I looked for something else…..

But it’s now 22 years later and you are still here! Why? Indeed! Well to begin with the factory just needed a little TLC and upgrading so not the complete disaster zone. The other little omission from both the job description and my interview was that the role wasn’t just that of Production Manger but actually General Manager. In many ways that really sparked my interest as with overall control there was an opportunity to put everything I’d learned so far in my career into practice without any real obstacles in my way.

The staff were a good team but had gone through a pretty rough period under the previous ownership and moral was low. The existing working practices also left much to be desired and certainly contributed to the demise of the previous company before Canford stepped in to save it.

It was however a blank canvas with lots of potential if it could be turned around. The 120 mile/3 hour round trip every day became thinking time and very much a catalyst for the changes that needed to be made. I found myself not only enjoying the role but also the journey to and from work. Every day was an 11 hour day but I was loving it!

This was however only part of the story. It became apparent that Canford is different from many employers.

You are very quickly made to feel part of a close knit team and the whole thing becomes a lot more personal. It was less about a salary and more like a family, where you just want to make it work for everybody involved. I want to stop short of saying it’s becomes a lifestyle but deep down I know I’m lying! My one consolation is that I am not alone and many members of the “Canford family” both at Portland and Washington have length of service records that are similar to or extend well beyond my own.

Picking up on your comment regarding a blank canvas with lots of potential.

How has this played out?

I knew little about the broadcast market when I started but Canford had chosen to save the company as there was a significant demand for video patching connectors. Despite its

damaged reputation the Portland site did have the experience, skills and equipment to produce them, albeit at the time rather badly. Changing the culture, attitude and mentality was very much stage 1 along with introducing strict manufacturing and quality procedures to give customers confidence again in both the product and availability.

Having stabilised the business, stage 2 was to expand it with a realisation that simply making connectors wasn’t going to be sufficient to fully support the operation going forward. A little analysis of the market quickly identified a need within the industry for a metalwork provider who could manufacture 19” rackmount connection panels and associated solutions to a high quality within reasonably short lead times.

The decision wasn’t a difficult one and we began investing heavily in equipment as we set off along our new path. We employed a dedicated sales resource but what became apparent very quickly was a need for the customers to have direct access. So alongside my normal day to day role I became more involved with developing sales. At the same time our requirement for sub contract plating, printing, painting and engraving services increased and I suddenly found myself with a company van and the responsibility for dropping off and picking up product each day. In a few short years I had gone from accepting a role as Production Manager to now being General Manager, Portland Sales and to cap it off the company van driver!

Looking back it’s fair to say we haven’t done too badly in the last 22 years turning a failing business into what it is today - a market leader within our particular industry. This was just reward for our excellent vision at the start and a lot of hard work since.

So what does the future hold?

Well my plan has always been to retire at 60 and scarily that isn’t too far away now. It may prove to be easier said than done, as Canford is a huge part of my life. I already have a succession plan in place for the Portland operation.

Alongside this I also appreciate that I have for many years now held a broader role within the group where I am seen as a senior member of the management team, with a good understanding of both the business and its various markets.

It is with this in mind that I have recently accepted a position as a director of Canford Group Ltd such that I can now also play my part in shaping the future of Canford Audio as a whole and ensuring our success for many more years to come. This was not an easy decision for me as I have never seen myself as a director; however, I do feel that in order to protect the “Essence of Canford” we need stability and direction from within rather than externally via people that may fail to understand our rather unique but very successful approach! In reality it is the management team that has run Canford so effectively in recent years with the board of directors simply providing support and guidance where required. That will not change nor hopefully my plan to try and retire in just over 5 years…….

Call International sales on +44(0)191 418 1133 or email international@canford.co.uk

Source Material by Canford | 63

CARBON FIBRE POLES

Titanium Tip

PANAMIC BOOM POLES Available in mini, midi or maxi sizes, which includes three, four and five section poles ranging from 0.73 to 5.00 metres in length.

SILENT OPERATING Each section houses an Unique adjustable end stop enabling quick adjustment and keeps each section tight, eliminates the risk of rattle noise from loose sections or worn components.

Nylon Bushes & Precision Locking Rings

STRONG & LIGHTWEIGHT Poles are hand-crafted in the UK from the highest quality carbon fibre.

• The carbon fibre construction reduces bend and ensures precision positioning • The Titanium tip is approximately 1/3 of the weight of an equivalent Stainless Steel tip

Adjustable End Stops

RELIABLE & DURABLE Boom operators can work without worry of sticking or binding.

Each section houses an Adjustable End Stop, Nylon Bushes & Precision Locking Rings. This helps prevent jamming, sticking or binding and provide great resistance from dirt ingress.

• Tough, detachable, corrosion resistant Titanium Tip • Designed so that, in the event of damage, all components can be replaced by the user • Durable, wear resistant nylon web handles

Carbon Fibre Construction

Panamic Distance Pole

Specifically designed for field news reporting. It’s a two section pole, 2.05m when fully extended, which, once a microphone is fitted, will result in around a 3 metre separation between interviewer and interviewee.

• Assembled from existing Panamic components, so shares the excellent handling characteristics of the long established Boom Pole range

Panamic Boom Pole

NEW PANAMIC DISTANCE POLES

Nylon Web Handle

• Resilient rubber end cap protects the carbon handle section from impact with the ground

• Ensures distance between interviewer and interviewee • Rapid design and manufacture in response to COVID-19 crisis

Panamic p o l e s

a p a r t

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Rubber End Cap

CONTACT THE CANFORD SALES TEAM UK sales t: +44 (0)191 4181122 e: sales@canford.co.uk Int sales t: +44 (0)191 4181133 e: international@canford.co.uk www.panamic.net

Call UK sales on +44(0)191 418 1122 or email sales@canford.co.uk

Canford investment guarantees future of popular stagebox design The outlook for this popular trapezoid stagebox system has been given a significant boost as Canford improves design and makes substantial manufacturing investment.

Building on its position as the ‘supplier of choice’ for custom metalwork and connector panels for the broadcast and pro AV markets, Canford becomes the exclusive Source for this ruggedised deployable solution.

Canford’s new design, while appearing similar to the well known legacy Neutrik product, has undergone subtle design improvements. These make it significantly stronger and better suited to the rigours of outside broadcast and live events.

“We have been working with the original product for years.

This experience meant we knew exactly where to channel our efforts to improve and strengthen the design.”

Gavin Drake, Canford Manufacturing Manager CANFORD STAGEBOXES A range of robust and economical, trapezoid shaped stage boxes, supplied unpopulated or with popular combinations of up to 24 D-series connectors.

• • • • • •

Canford’s own unique design Full metal ruggedised construction Integral skids Snap-on designation strip Optional custom engraving

Available in three lengths - 120mm, 240mm or 360mm (excluding gland)

SPARES As well as the above assembled stage boxes, Canford offer a range of spares allowing customers to create stage boxes to their own specific requirements. This range includes top and bottom extrusions in all three lengths. Top extrusions come either with no identification or numbered 1-4, 1-8 or 1-12. Side plates are either blank or with four, eight or twelve D series ‘Universal’ cutouts and end plates again blank, or punched to accept a cable gland or a range of panel mount multipin connectors, allowing alternative connector configurations to be created.

CONNECTORS For those wishing to populate or modify existing stageboxes, the extensive range of D-series or “Universal” cutout connectors can be found in our index category; see Universal Series connectors.

Call International sales on +44(0)191 418 1133 or email international@canford.co.uk

Source Material by Canford | 65

tecpro

by Canford

RELIABLE WIRED INTERCOM • Theatre • Live Events • Sports Event • ROV • Offshore • Rental • Simple and intuitive to operate, Tecpro intercom enables a group of people to have a simultaneous, two way conversation in real time with excellent intelligibility.

The size of the group can vary between 2 and 80+ people and they can communicate on up to two independent intercom groups.

CONTACT OUR SALES TEAM FOR MORE INFORMATION UK sales t: +44 (0)191 4181122 e: sales@canford.co.uk Int sales t: +44 (0)191 4181133 e: international@canford.co.uk www.canford.co.uk/Tecpro