We Heard It on PubTech

PubTechWe happened to eavesdrop on a recent conversation in the Pubtech online discussion forum recently. Here’s what we “overheard” pubcasters say about consoles and console systems.


“I'm sold on the benefits of going to a well-made control surface. But you do have to make sure that indeed what you are looking at is well-made. Less expensive to cheap control surfaces are likely to use the $1 switch rather than the $10 switch and there is a considerable difference. I have replaced a lot of the $1 kind over the years…. my personal opinion is that it is cheaper in the long run to buy something more durable and keep it longer without the expense of constantly servicing it or replacing it once every 6 years.”

Michael Leclair
Chief Engineer
WBUR, Boston University, Boston, MA
Has Wheatstone G series control surfaces and WheatNet-IP AoIP system.

On our Audioarts D75N consoles I barely use anything except for the setup software to define the input names.....just never wanted to pay for the other software....in fact I wonder where it is now......the software that is....”

Pierre Lonewolf
Chief Engineer
KOTZ-AM, KINU-FM & TV13, Kotzebue, AK

“Look closely at what each system has for creating macros and salvos for large crosspoint changes.  Also look at the programmable buttons on the surfaces and see how easy (or hard) it is to program them. You'll use them a lot. And find out what kind of scripting they support. Again programmability is a life saver in these systems.”

Brant Herrett
Chief Engineer
KUSP, Santa Cruz, CA
Put in a five-room WheatNet-IP system in 2011 with two E-6 and one E-1 consoles.

Regarding whether or not today’s consoles can last 10 years or more…

“Our studios are very busy and the equipment is used by stressed out people who work the equipment HARD.  I would say that it (on-air Wheatstone G series console) is very much the equal to the older PRE boards with the caveat that the PRE boards needed much more maintenance to keep them going.”

Michael Leclair
Chief Engineer
WBUR, Boston University, Boston, MA

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