Edith Cowan University (ECU) in Perth, Australia, implemented a comprehensive communications infrastructure from Riedel Communications that brings professional live production workflows into the teaching environment.
Connecting spaces across the university — from broadcast facilities to the theatre — the integrated ecosystem makes communications, audio, video, and recordings flexibly accessible throughout the building.
At the heart of this infrastructure are two Riedel Artist-1024 nodes, which are primarily used at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA) — a specialised academy within the university — as well as in the broadcast department. In addition, stage managers and directors can use Riedel Bolero wireless intercom to move between different event areas while maintaining uninterrupted communication with the rest of the production teams.
MediorNet is now being used as the technical backbone to ensure reliable distribution of audio and video. The ECU team utilises five MicroN UHD units as well as an additional mobile unit that reliably transmits signals within the building and, when a fibre-optic connection is available, also supports outside broadcast scenarios.
MediorNet HorizoN connects traditional SDI and MediorNet infrastructures with ST 2110 workflows within the broadcast environment. This ecosystem ensures the independent execution of two parallel broadcasts. Furthermore, live productions from the theatre auditorium can be fully integrated into the broadcast environment — including backstage communication, video, and audio transmission.
Richard Reddrop, Associate Professor of Associate Dean (Production and Design), WAAPA, said: “Our partnership with Riedel has significantly transformed communications and coordination across our venues. Stage managers, front-of-house teams, technicians, backstage crews, and production staff are now able to work together through a single integrated communications platform, creating a more connected and professional operating environment. Importantly, it provides our students with the experience of industry-standard workflows and technologies that reflect contemporary professional practice.”
Another key component of the ecosystem is Riedel SimplyLive RiCapture. ECU operates three RiCapture servers, including two larger systems for 4K workflows and a dedicated system for teaching. With SimplyLive, students and instructors can record up to six video streams simultaneously along with the associated production communications. During training sessions, they can replay the recorded feeds and communications to review production workflows, retrace decisions, and identify where and why issues occurred. This gives students immediate, practical feedback on their work in a professional live production environment. Instructors can also record teaching sessions and make them available to students afterward as part of the course materials.
Chris Johnson, director Oceania at Riedel Communications, said: “Artist, Bolero, MediorNet, and SimplyLive create a learning environment here at ECU that can be ideally adapted to the students’ needs as well as to various production formats. Students are thus given the opportunity to experiment and work in a practical environment that mirrors real-world production workflows.”