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If you sit down in front of the television to watch a high profile broadcast that features live studio sound, there’s a good chance that Plus 4 Audio will be involved. From the X Factor to Dancing On Ice, Children In Need to Sports Personality Of The Year via Celebrity Love Island, Plus 4 has established itself - and its considerable inventory of Yamaha mixing consoles - as one of the primary choices for live studio sound by the big hitters in UK television..... For the whole Article click here

RF specialist Trantec was commissioned by Kingston based Plus 4 Audio to design and supply a bespoke version of its award-winning S6000 radio mic system for Celebrity Love Island.

Handling all the RF requirements of Love Island with the S6000 for the second time Plus4Audio needed a ground breaking systems solution that would push boundaries and further streamline operations on-site.

The TV show is filmed on a Fijian Island and with the celebrity stars diving in and out of water on a frequent basis, the system needed to be waterproof and able to cope with some testing operating conditions.

Trantec ‘s head of R&D Richard Ganley collaborated with Plus 4 Audio’s Stewart Chaney to ensure that system met his exacting specifications. A powerful ‘burner circuit’ amplifier was added to a standard S6000 transmitter to boost output to 150mW, both were then packaged in a special waterproof housing to allow the celebs to dive in and out of a pool or the sea.

Working with Plus 4 from the outset Trantec fashioned an antenna distribution system that would ensure coverage over the entire site. Plus 4 Audio MD, Stewart Caney, explained:

“ We turned up at Trantec’s HQ with a plan of the site and they did the rest – antenna types, active gain, cable type, splitters, combiners and frequency plan. Trantec’s experienced team assembled what is quite an esoteric solution. A dry run in the UK confirmed faultless operation and the system has been incredibly reliable on site. Ultimately Trantec listens to our needs and tailor solutions to cater for the most challenging broadcast applications – this sets them apart both in manufacturing and in systems support.”

The format of Love Island is centred around one house where the celebrity participants reside. Plus 4 Audio deployed 32-channels on this main site with another eight channels being used for filming away from this central location.

As a champion of the S6000 Plus 4 Audio are very impressed with its 70 Mhz tuning range, which adds flexibility and reliability in the most hostile RF environments. Plus its long battery life – up to 24 hours on a single AA cell is another major asset. Also its miniature transmitter constantly scores highly with the cast being discrete and unobtrusive.

Plus 4 Audio has optimised the potential of both the S6000 and its sister dual channel version since its launch two years ago and now boasts a fleet of over 60 channels.

PLUS 4 RADAR:Plus 4 is also delighted to now be able to offer digital multitrack recording following purchase of the high end RADAR system. The RADAR offers various types of file recording (native BWAV being the most used) across either 24 or 48 track. Plus 4 can provide 2 stand alone 24 track machines, or a combined system of 48 track digital. The system has a full UPS back up in case of a power failure which will run in excess of 25 minutes if needed.
At 48 KHZ around 9 hours of digital recording can be achieve across 24 tracks per drive but with 2 caddy`s per machine it is possible to get 18 hours of seamless 24 track digital audio to disc on one of the most reliable systems around.


This shot shows the controller for the RADAR along with its 48 track meter bridge and additional flat screens display.
One controller will run multiple RADAR`S so increasing track count is very easy from an operational point of view.
Plus 4 wanted a dedicated multitrack solution that had the feel of a tape machine and the RADAR ticked all the boxes. Coupled with the fact that RADAR has time and time again come out top in terms of audio in a number of blind tests undertaken by audio professionals and ignoring all the flexibility of digits it comes down to sound quality in the end and the RADAR wins every time.
File export to DAW`s is also supported with PLUS 4 being able to export to systems like protools with no problems. The RADAR will take analogue/aes/madi/adat, indeed Plus 4 have a fully integrated system for all their digital Yamaha boards making the multitracking of the next gig , along with the FOH and monitor support, a
very cost effective and logistically easy exercise from the same supplier.
Plus 4`s Kevin Duff said “The integration of PA/Monitors and Recording in today’s digital world is something we have been doing for a while now, and can seriously ease both the cost to clients, as well as simplifying the technical side as everyone is pulling the same way”.
Plus 4 are always happy to talk about building systems and derig kits for any situation so please call for more information.