36 l June 2012
www.prosoundnewseurope.com
broadcastnews UNITED KINGDOM
Disquiet at over software
Radio 4 producers are expressing concern over a reported cost-cutting measure that replaces SADiE 6 with a free piece of bundled software to produce radio features, writes Erica Basnicki
QUESTIONS ARE being raised at BBC Radio 4 regarding the suitability of software meant to replace SADiE for both news and craft editing. Officially the switch was only to affect news producers but, as PSNEurope has learned, features producers have been told to switch as well. The issue was first raised in
satirical magazine Private Eye, which reported that software called StarTrack, originally bundled with VCS dira! systems purchased by the BBC in 2006, will replace SADiE, as a cost- cutting measure. The Private Eye piece reveals
that a BBC technician was asked to review StarTrack before its introduction. A source inside the company revealed to PSNEurope that the review was generally unfavourable. Additionally, StarTrack “is
fine for editing a straight interview, and works well for
UNITED KINGDOM Farm plants “biggest” PT HDX systems By Kevin Hilton New kit was installed at The Farm
LONDON POST-production company The Farm Group has completed what is being described as the biggest installation of Avid Pro Tools HDX workstations and 10 HD software in the UK. The 12 systems have gone into three of the company’s Soho facilities, which work on TV productions. The equipment was supplied
by Avid reseller Scrub, HHB’s post production division, and was installed at The Farm in Soho Square, Home and Uncle
Post. Installation work by The Farm’s technical department and Scrub had to take place during a scheduling break between the two Simon Cowell talent show franchises for ITV, The X Factor and Britain’s Got Talent. Among the features that
reportedly attracted the Farm to the Pro Tools HDX hardware and version 10 software were five times greater processing power for each card and the Channel Strip plug-in. Commenting on the
installation, Farm Group engineer Anthony Kirkland
news programmes”, says one BBC producer, who contacted PSNEurope but did not wish to be named. What’s at issue is having to use StarTrack for craft editing. Namely, for multitrack radio features. To be clear, the BBC has not replaced all SADiE systems
audio to complement its radio production and playout automation systems”. However, another producer
says this simply isn’t the case: “Officially the BBC line on StarTrack is that it’s not a ‘craft editor’. We agree; and if our managers followed this in
with StarTrack. There are 300 SADiE 6 systems available to producers across the UK, although “relatively few” producers actually have desktop access to these systems. An official press release from Prism Sound states “the broadcaster selected SADiE as its standard ‘Craft Editor’ for
the Beeb changes
There is concern about editing software at Broadcasting House, PSNEuropehas learned
having to edit audio visually as opposed to listening to the audio, phantom clicks being created at edit points, and the inability to keep audio in sync when shifting regions from one track to another on a multitrack edit. Further BBC producers who have spoken to PSNEurope
“Why should a world-class broadcasting organisation be giving its producers an editing tool which is more limited than the one they’re used to. Isn’t progress about moving forward... not backwards...?” BBC insider
practice, then I don’t think we’d have a problem. However, they’re forcing staff in several areas to use it for craft editing, including making complex features, often under great time pressure to meet broadcast deadlines.” Limitations of the alternative
software that have been reported to PSNEurope include
concede that creating a radio feature is possible with StarTrack, but that it takes at least twice as long to do so, and the end result is not of the same quality that is expected of BBC broadcasts. “Basically, the tool needs
about five years more development to get near the
standard of the tool we’ve been using for the past 10 years. It’s been pushed through purely to save money, and is making our programme-makers’ lives a misery,” says a BBC insider. Some BBC production staff
are considering their response to the situation, including an outright boycott of StarTrack. Concerns from a working group at the BBC have so far not been acted upon. It’s not that the software is new, it’s that it reportedly makes the producers’ job much more difficult. “It is a small learning curve –
we’ve all been sent on a half-day StarTrack course. And we can use it. But why should a world- class broadcasting organisation be giving its producers an editing tool which is more limited than the one they’re used to. Isn’t progress about moving forward... not backwards...?”
www.bbc.co.uk
says: “Our daily workflow has benefited greatly from the significant new features and speed of the new Pro Tools HDX systems. There was a very tight turn around for this upgrade and Scrub worked with us to ensure we had a seamless transition.” Tina Wallace, sales manager
at Scrub, adds: “For the past six months we have been carefully planning the delivery and installation of these systems, pre-approved and tested, into a small window of down-time between two of the UK’s highest rated primetime shows. It’s a pleasure to have been involved and to continue to support The Farm as they set a new standard for audio post.”
www.farmgroup.tv
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