RAYNOK PROJECT CASE STUDY
CBC Toronto Broadcast Centre | Studio 40 and 42
The CBC building was constructed in 1992. The machinery was installed and commissioned in early 1993 in the studios 40 and 42. These two studios are located on the 10th floor of the building and are the main production studios used for major productions like Rita McNeil’s Christmas show, Hockey Night in Canada, Canada’s Smartest Person, Rick Mercer Report, and many more.
Project Information
Project: CBC Toronto Broadcast Centre – Studio 40 and 42
Owner: CBC
Location: Toronto, Ontario
Completion Date: December 2018
Project Partner: CBC Engineering
Architect: CBC Engineering
Theatre Consultants: CBC Engineering
Type of Venue:
Television studios
Hardware included:
Studio 40
- 160 movable fixed speed lighting battens
- 83 moveable variable speed staging battens
Studio 42
- 53 lighting battens
- 36 lighting plaks
- 55 point hoists
RAYNOK PROJECT PRODUCT LIST
Project Challenges
The control system in Studio 40 was designed and installed by Hoffend and Sons and JR Clancy, with control solutions designed and programmed by none other than Duncan McIntosh. Mr. McIntosh used the technology of the time to connect each of the machines in the system on serial communications busses. The challenge was to bring the coms up to current standards without having to install significant amounts of new conduit to respect the tight budget.
The existing drives in studio 40 were also a challenge. Long past the end of their usable life the DC drives had to be carefully cut into the new system and prevented from overwork. The risk was that they could not be repaired any longer.
Understanding the use case and how the studio staff worked with the equipment was also a big consideration. The team had been using workarounds for so long they had become complacent in the operation of the equipment.
Inside Studio 40
Studio 40 Highlights
Studio 40 consists of 160 lighting battens and 83 staging battens. Both systems are independently controlled by separate users yet included in the global E-Stop System.
Each system can be operated independently from the other but pressing any E-Stop brings all machinery to a halt. The original control system was installed in 1992 with the opening of the CBC Broadcast Centre. Despite the active schedule of this studio over the years, the machinery was still in perfect health. Only the controls needed to be replaced.
Efficient Lighting Hoist Upgrade
The 160 fixed speed lighting hoists had been controlled on a single serial communications link, the best technology of the day.
Niscon split that into 20 serial links to avoid the need for additional cable and conduit, saving thousands of dollars in unnecessary expense. The updates from the machinery now take less than 100ms to reach the operator.
Venue Precision Rigging
A view of the rigging for the staging machinery. The machines are tucked away in a sound proof room to avoid them being heard during live broadcasts.
Project Solutions
The final solutions included complete removal of the old equipment, replacement of encoding systems, upgrading of wiring to the encoders, a deep dive into the setup and configuration of the analog DC drives, upgrading of the Emergency Stop System and wiring of same, and replacement of the user interface consoles.
There were features inside the Duncan McIntosh software that were so loved by the CBC staff that they had to be in the new solution. With Mr. McIntosh’s approval those features were copied and are now included in the Raynok Motion Control Software.
Staff training was also a big focus. Ensuring that each user knew how to use the new solutions was a big part of closing out the project. In the first year after the installations were complete the Niscon team performed several training sessions and onsite standby user support calls.
Trust Raynok to Manifest the Vision.
Automation of Rigging and Concert Trussing
Flying, Travelling, and Tracking Video Walls
Moving Curtains and Acoustics
Architectural Equipment – Architainment
Position Monitoring and Real Time feedback
Complex and Synchronized Motion
Performer and Stunt Flying
Stage Lifts, Turntables, Wagons, and Floor Machinery
Wireless Motion Control
Shared Position Data for Video, Lighting, and Audio tracks
Safe, Reliable, Repeatable and Precise
