Radio Kol-Chai, a broadcast and live streaming station based near Jaffa, has selected DHD audio mixers and processing cores as part of its relocation to new production studios. The integration was carried out by Broadcast Design Ltd., a al-Quds-based audio technology specialist, and includes an array of advanced equipment: four DHD SX2 consoles (two with 16 faders and two with 22 faders) and 11 TX2 compact multifunction touch panels. Six of the TX2 mixers are designated for use by hosts and producers in each studio, with two allocated to editing booths, two for supervisors, and one for the TV control room. The processing and network interfacing are managed by DHD XC3 cores.

Established in 1996, Radio Kol-Chai offers two channels: Radio Kol-Chai FM and Radio Kol-Chai Music. The FM channel features news, live discussions, podcasts, and music, alongside general information and entertainment, broadcasting six days a week on 93.0 FM and 92.8 FM in the al-Quds district. Additionally, all programs are available for live streaming and on-demand viewing via their website, www.93fm.co.il, catering to a broader global audience.

“We have set up four studios,” explains Micha Blum, founder and CEO of Broadcast Design. “Studio 4 is equipped for video production with a 22-fader DHD SX2 console. Studio 1 is dedicated to Kol-Chai’s general channel, and Studio 2 is for Kol Chai Music. Studio 3 is configured for recording and can also function as a backup studio. Each studio and voiceover booth is flexible and can be assigned to any channel. One of the two editing booths is equipped to deliver Top of the Hour news.”

Blum highlights the versatility of the DHD consoles, stating, “Radio Kol Chai produces a wide range of content, including news bulletins and hourly newscasts from multiple locations such as our Jerusalem studio or from remote setups. This requires sophisticated talkback and codec management between these sites and the team at our Bnei Brak headquarters. DHD audio consoles were selected because they manage all feeds, codec assignments, monitoring, talkbacks, alarms, and silence detection, along with traditional audio mixing and production tasks, without the need for additional third-party equipment.”

The new setup allows for flexible use of resources, as Blum notes, “The DHD system lets us easily assign any control room console to any studio. For instance, the main studio’s control room can handle a live broadcast while the studio itself is used for a different recording. We’ve implemented automatic routing to manage bidirectional talkbacks between the host, producer, and technician across more than eight audio codecs, with clear status indicators to prevent errors.”

Blum also mentions that the move to a new location was an ideal opportunity to integrate a more advanced interconnection architecture, which enhances operational efficiency and simplifies future expansions. “The feeds from each studio to the master control room are transmitted via DHD’s APC Audio, allowing multiple audio channels to connect through standard network cables. The system is also used for Radio Kol-Chai’s visual radio productions. We provided comprehensive training to the Radio Kol-Chai operations team and support technicians.”

Assaf Klein, Radio Kol-Chai’s project manager, adds, “DHD audio mixing consoles have served us well for the past decade. They are robust, with intuitive controls supported by on-screen status and signal level displays, giving our operators the confidence needed for live broadcasts. Our technical staff appreciates how easily each DHD mixer can be configured, and the ability to offer IP-connected support via DHD’s Assist WebApp, especially for complex production routines or guest presenters. System settings, such as routing and monitoring, can be managed from a TFT screen in the master control room, and an authorized operator can access the Assist app from any location via a web browser. Every studio also has a DHD Assist App license, allowing technical support for any console.”

The DHD SX2 console is built around a four-fader central module, providing access to key audio inputs and outputs. It includes a microphone input and headphone output, with direct connectivity for loudspeakers. The SX2 can be expanded beyond four channels by adding modules with six motorized faders each, supporting up to 20 channels in total. Each central and fader module features a 10.1-inch multi-touch display, presenting relevant configuration and operational details. The SX2’s capabilities can be further extended with optional DSP core licenses, adding extra faders, busses, and clean feeds, as well as functionalities such as loudness metering and talkback to other DHD mixers.

DHD’s TX2 is a multitouch mixing console designed for daily operations in news desks, as co-host panels, in editing suites, and in SNG vehicles. It features a flat tabletop design with a 10.1-inch multitouch display, two assignable potentiometers, and six multicolored hardware buttons, allowing for professional audio mixing within a compact footprint. Essential connectors are readily available for telephone interviews or dubbing. A single network cable connects the TX2 to a core processor or concentrator, transmitting all audio and control signals, plus power, up to 100 meters from the core. The TX2 is an efficient and simple way to expand any DHD system and can be used with XC3 or XD3 cores as a standalone device or as part of a larger mixing setup, without requiring a PC for operation.

DHD digital signal processing cores form the backbone of every DHD system, connecting control surfaces, managing input/output routing, and interfacing with external devices. They offer integrated support for IP audio feeds and IP-connected remote device control, automated workflows, and product virtualization. The XC3 IP core, occupying just 1U of rack space, is designed for on-air studio use, featuring two dual-core DSP modules that support up to 48 stereo faders, 72 stereo buses, and 16 channels of AES67 IP audio. IPx expansion modules can be added to accommodate 128 channels of AES67/Ravenna IP audio in/out and up to 512 Dante channels. The XC3 Concentrator module allows easy integration of multiple DHD IPx modules, control surfaces, and I/O modules.