First Occurrence of a Continental Airline in Kenya
Kenya's Radio 47 has undergone a significant transformation, thanks to a collaborative project between Mediacity Ads and Lawo. The project involved the design, construction, system integration, and technical setup of three radio studios: two for on-air and one for production.
The new studios, based in Nairobi, are a fitting addition to the rising technology hub of East Africa. They incorporate modern digital technologies, creating an engaging, camera-friendly environment ideal for both radio and multimedia broadcasting.
At the heart of the studio setup is Lawo's VRX8 virtual mixer, its Crystal Clear control package, and its 12-fader Diamond console. The Voceware software handles studio indicators remotely via virtual GPIOs, and WinCam automates camera switching based on audio sources.
The studios boast 3D acoustic wall panels with hexagonal ceiling designs, integrated LED lighting, and large digital screens for visual content. The minimalist furniture complements the color scheme of yellow, blue, grey, and white, while the striped carpet adds a touch of elegance.
Mediacity Ads, based in Kigali, Rwanda, was enlisted to design, construct, and integrate these studios. Fred Martin Kiwalabye, Mediacity Ads' project director and system integrator, led the project and contributed to the technical design, equipment specification, and workflow training.
The transformation was a step towards an IP-based infrastructure, as Cape Media's chairman, Simon Gisharu, sought this migration for Radio 47. The Radio 47 studios in Nairobi send program audio to an Omnia.9 MKII audio processor at its transmitter site via AES67-compliant Livewire+ AoIP streams. This allows a number of hosts and correspondents to now broadcast remotely.
Field reporting, content management, and ad sales are web-based, ensuring seamless operations. At the transmitter, the processed signal is sent via an Elenos STL link to a network of repeater and relay stations across Kenya.
Mediacity Ads' regional partner in Africa, Lawo, provided high-end broadcast solutions, enabling future-proof media production systems with flexibility, scalability, and integration with digital technologies. The project stands as the largest and most advanced completed by Mediacity Ads, calling the installation a "continental benchmark."
Detailed specifics about the exact design and setup remain unavailable without explicit and current sources. However, the system would likely involve migration to IP-based audio transport and routing, integration of modern digital audio consoles, automated playout, and streaming capabilities, support for multi-platform distribution, robust network infrastructure, and modern content management systems that support advertising and audience analytics.
The Radio 47 network is owned by independent Kenyan broadcaster Cape Media. This transformation ensures relevance as media consumption evolves, with the system designed to support digital transformation, scalability, and integration with advertising platforms for monetization.
- The transformation of Kenya's Radio 47, led by Mediacity Ads and Lawo, includes a studio setup that is both ideal for radio broadcasting and multimedia, featuring modern digital technologies.
- The new studios based in Nairobi are equipped with Lawo's VRX8 virtual mixer, Crystal Clear control package, and a 12-fader Diamond console, along with software like Voceware for remote studio indicators and WinCam for automated camera switching.
- The Radio 47 network now allows a number of hosts and correspondents to broadcast remotely, thanks to IP-based infrastructure and AES67-compliant Livewire+ AoIP streams.
- With this transformation, Radio 47 is designed to support digital transformation, scalability, and integration with advertising platforms for monetization, making it relevant to evolving media consumption.
