First AOIP studio build-out: Axia vs. Wheatnet

[DoctorWu]

Hey Doc,

Is your first name Clark?

Bob

It's "Doctor" ;D

 

[WNTIRadio]

I also have no issue with the build quality of Axia consoles. They're rock solid from an operations/build standpoint. Just don't like how they look. Gimme a couple meters, for starters. Same for some of the Wheatstone E series boards. Like them much better with a meter bridge instead of yet another LCD/LED monitor taking up space and blocking the sight lines.

I guess I'm a traditionalist.

 

[DoctorWu]

IIRC, most Axia boards have built-in meters, too. Personally I like the screen meters - don't have to use my glasses to see 'em

-- Doc

 

[The F Mister]

About the Axia manufacturing - the majority of Axia products are manufactured in USA. It's only the smaller consoles like the Radius and the iQ, that are made in China. If you buy an Element console (and for this project you probably would be) it's all built in USA. That being said, I've installed an Axia iQ console 2 years ago on a college station I work for, and although we had an initial problem with the console engine, once that was resolved it has ran without any issues since then. And the students love it (see here and here).

But as a general point about Axia quality and/or durability, I think it suffices to say that Axia has a 5 year warranty on all Axia products. Nobody in the industry, Wheatstone included, does not offer that kind of warranty.

When it comes to the design, tastes are always subjective. But last year at IBC, Axia showed a more conservative design of the Element surface and it was very well received by the customers. I don't know when it will be available, but I assume pretty soon. Here's the picture.


Regards,
Goran Tomas
(associated with Telos Alliance)

I must say that the new Axia surface does look better but my first remark at IBC was the fact that I like to have the start and cue buttons above the fader. Which is a option for example DHD but unfortunately not with Axia. If that will be an option I think it will really be a console to consider.

 

[taylorengineer]

Add me to the growing list of folks who like the new surface better.
And put me on the list of Telos-Omnia admirers. Great company, great people, and great products!

 

[uburoibob]

Hey Doc,

Is your first name Clark?

Bob

It's "Doctor" ;D

Sorry, 'Doctor' ;-), I meant no disrespect.

I thought that was you! I run into Catfish at NAB once a year, but I haven't run into you there in quite some time. Will you be working the Telos booth this year or are you laying low? If you are gonna be there, let me know a good time to stop by and say 'hey!’

Good to see you, Clark! Or type to you, anyway.

Bob

 

[uburoibob]

Hey Doc,

Is your first name Clark?

Bob

It's "Doctor" ;D

Whoops! Sorry, "Doctor" ;-).

I thought it was you! Are you going to be working in the Telos booth at NAB? I always run into Catfish whilst walking the halls, and make a point to say hi to Frank. But it's been a while since I've run into you. Lemme know and I will drop by to say hello, Doctor Novak!

Looking forward to it!

Bob

 

[xmusicmatt]

When it comes to the design, tastes are always subjective. But last year at IBC, Axia showed a more conservative design of the Element surface and it was very well received by the customers. I don't know when it will be available, but I assume pretty soon. Here's the picture.


Regards,
Goran Tomas
(associated with Telos Alliance)

Like it.. A fan of the current element design personally but this reminds me of the look of the iq and radius with a few modifications.

 

[bigtom101]

My only operational gripe with the Axia boards was that I would have to periodically restart them to fix mix minus and other random audio issues (some faders wouldn't release or take sources...a reboot later they would be fine again). Annoying when you are trying to get a show going.

On air, I like the Wheatstone stuff much better as a jock appearance wise - the Axia boards also don't hold up like the Wheatstone stuff does, at least under heavy use.

A word of warning, whatever system you use - make sure to have an analog backup somehow. Ports die on nodes/blades/switches, and you don't want that to take you off the air.

 

[Telosian]

My only operational gripe with the Axia boards was that I would have to periodically restart them to fix mix minus and other random audio issues (some faders wouldn't release or take sources...a reboot later they would be fine again). Annoying when you are trying to get a show going.On air, I like the Wheatstone stuff much better as a jock appearance wise - the Axia boards also don't hold up like the Wheatstone stuff does, at least under heavy use.

Appearance is subjective. Some folks prefer the Wheatstone look, some prefer the Axia theme. I'm glad to read the comments here that many like the look of the new Axia console too. It's not only a new design theme, it has some cool new features including those OLED channel displays. For anyone who wishes to see some of the thinking that went into the design of the Element, this blog may be interesting:

http://www.engineeringradio.us/blog/2011/03/a-broadcast-console-makers-perspective/comment-page-1/

But regarding your comment above about rebooting... There are more than 3,500 Axia consoles in the world now working hard 24/7/365. If this actually happened to you, it would be an unusual product or system fault requiring repair or at least a call to Axia support. Your comment suggests this is common for Axia consoles. That is just not so.

Wheatstone makes good solid products. They're a fine company and back up their products with good support. I will be the first to tell a client, he does well to buy products from such a company as Wheatstone. However, the same is true for Axia. Competition is good for the client. When two companies such as Axia and Wheatstone are both competing for your business, both will attempt to give you better product, value and support. Broadcasters are the clear winners in these competitions!

However, sometimes competition can get out of hand. Such as it may on these threads. Shills (you know who you are) may post misleading comments meant to scare customers away from the competitor's product by posing as customers who have had bad experiences. I think most broadcasters know the difference between real customers with real experiences and this make-believe stuff.

But still, is it really necessary? Don't our clients deserve better than this from us? I suggest that Wheatstone and Axia should both focus on their products and services and allow the clients to make their own decisions based on product merit and shared experiences amongst *real* customers. And stop shilling. These two fine companies have fine reputations. Why sully them by shilling?

Catfish

 

[ScottJ]

But still, is it really necessary? Don't our clients deserve better than this from us? I suggest that Wheatstone and Axia should both focus on their products and services and allow the clients to make their own decisions based on product merit and shared experiences amongst *real* customers. And stop shilling. These two fine companies have fine reputations. Why sully them by shilling?

I could not agree more. The sock puppet posts serve no one.

 

[bigtom101]

But regarding your comment above about rebooting...  There are more than 3,500 Axia consoles in the world now working hard 24/7/365.  If this actually happened to you, it would be an unusual product or system fault requiring repair or at least a call to Axia support.  Your comment suggests this is common for Axia consoles.  That is just not so.

It did happen to me - repeatedly. In all fairness, it was the 1st generation of Axia consoles, and hey, they are now pushing 8 years old. Is it true for ALL Axia consoles? I cannot say - this was just my experience working with them at a major market talk station.

I will say the nodes were a pleasure to deal with and easy to program, especially using the StudioHub dongles. Only issue was the mix minus/fader source requiring a board reboot.

Both companies make great products - and the passion shown on this board and others are great examples of it. Hell, I had issues with SAS Rubicons where they needed to be restarted too when they would start doing funky things (like faders that I had taken out of PGM going back in 1 minute later).

 

[DoctorWu]

I suggest that Wheatstone and Axia should both focus on their products and services and allow the clients to make their own decisions based on product merit and shared experiences amongst *real* customers.

I could not agree more. The sock puppet posts serve no one.

I have to agree with both of you. This thread has devolved from useful to useless.

I thought it was you!

Sorry, uburoibob. People have tried and failed before to guess my ID on this board. If you've been in SoCal radio I might know you; I've spent 3 decades in programming, engineering and studio consulting.

-- Doc