BVE 2012: UK debut for HARMAN’s Studer OnAir 1500 Mixing Console

London’s Earls Court is to play host to the UK debut of the budget Studer OnAir 1500 mixing console from HARMAN.

The economical OnAir 1500 does not skimp on functionality, however. It is a 12-channel, 6-fader console which is ideal for those looking for a cost-effective unit whether it be to provide an additional professional-grade fader unit and additional I/O or a compact and cost-effective mixing console for a production room or on-air studio.

The Studer OnAir 1500 also includes an integrated playback and record function. This makes the tech an extremely compact and yet capable production unit and mixer. It is flexible too as it has a simple point-to-point connectivity. This means that it can be moved around as a backup or secondary unit with ease.

What is more, the OnAir 1500 is expandable to 12 faders if required by the inclusion of an additional 6-fader extension bay. This can be used to make the OnAir 1500 a 12-fader surface or can be remotely placed in the producer’s bay or used as a redundant surface.

The unit also does not require the use of an additional screen or PC either. All channel parameters such as EQ and dynamics can be easily edited using the console controls themselves in combination with the OLED channel displays.

Nonetheless, if more advanced operations or configurations are required the console also incorporates interfaces for connecting the unit to a PC screen, keyboard and mouse.

The concoles master section provides the operator with clean yet comprehensive access to the signal monitoring and switching for control room and studio. It also includes an internal speaker preconfigured to output CUE and talkback signals.

The devices audio monitoring is expanded by two 29 segment stereo bargraph PPMs. This provides the user with a constant overview of the all-important signals. There are also six different meter standards available.

The OnAir 1500 also has useful unique features. These include a Headphone Split which allows the user to listen to one source in the left earpiece and another in the right earpiece.

The OnAir 1500 also features preset buttons also allow one-touch control of all monitoring. User can also undertake additional monitoring for separate studios using an external Monitoring/Talkback unit.

The separate NANO SCORE of the OnAir 1500 contains the audio and control engine. According to HARMAN, its straightforward design provides standard sockets, making any additional breakout panel unnecessary.

Two separate card slots can be equipped with any optional D21m I/O module, such as MADI (up to 64 ch in/56 ch out), ADAT, AES, or additional MIC inputs.

The front panel is dominated by three USB ports. One of the USB ports is used—rather neatly—to identify the console operator. The second port can be used for recording and playout using a USB Flash Drive. The final USB port can be switched to deliver an additional eight channels of I/O to/from a USB device.

The core connects to the surface via one Cat5 cable, which also supplies power to the surface.

Broadcast Video Expo 2012 is taking place at Earls Court in London between February 14th and 16th.

The HARMAN stand can be found at J50 at BVE2012.