UK Community Radio Station Refurbs with Sonifex

Warminster, UK (October 21, 2020)—WCR Community Radio station, founded in 1996 in Warminster, UK, has refurbished its radio studios, incorporating two new Sonifex S2 modular broadcast mixers.

The station’s team and managing director Barry Mole specified the Sonifex consoles, which replaced older consoles that had ongoing issues since they were installed seven years ago, after wide consultation. “We did a lot of research and we had some time with a trial desk,” says Mole. “We were blown away by the S2. We like the modularity, coupled with all the advantages of a high-tech desk and modern electronics. They are beautiful pieces of work. A few years down the line, if there’s a problem with a fader, we can easily just put a new one in and send the other for refurbishment.”

He continues, “The versatility of it means we don’t have to have split faders on most of the fader channels. There are dual channel inputs, but there’s also this wonderful meterbridge module — the S2-M6SS six-way source select panel — where you can have six selectable inputs to one stereo channel, or to the monitor inputs.”

All-Podcast Station Launched in London

All OB inputs, feeds from the other studios, the recording computer and the sustaining service all come through the six-way selector. “Instead of crowding all our faders with inputs, you just select what you want, put a fader up, and there it is, which is an absolute dream,” he says.

“We’ve got three inputs for computers,” adds Mole. “Also, one for carts and promos, two for automation playout, two for CDs, two for grams, and another one for an iPad. We’ve also got a nice wide script tray for laptops, iPads, and so on.”

WCR Community Radio, which currently relies on around 50 volunteers to make the station run, was founded as a hospital radio station broadcasting from a backroom at a local theater. The operation moved after West Wiltshire District Council offered it the use of some disused public toilets attached to the Warminster civic center. Its current facility, now expanded into more of the civic center, has three studios, including a production and teaching room, plus reception, kitchen and OB kit storage. There is also a busy OB vehicle with link transmitter.

Sonifex • www.sonifex.co.uk