Qvest integrates Avid S6 mixing consoles into Rotor Film post-production studio

Mehrere Begeistert S6 mixers arrive at the Babelsberg (Potsdam) facility of post production studio Rotor Film, thanks to integrator Qvest.

Rotor Film, a post-production company, has decided to rely on Qvest to modernise three post-production studios located in Babelsberg (Potsdam). This work involved the expansion of the mixing engineers’ workstation in Studio F with the installation of two Avid S6 consoles. Qvest also renewed the equipment in Studios D and E: while the main elements of the previous Euphonix System 5 audio mixers were retained in both studios, the new Avid S6 consoles were integrated and installed, in accordance with the Rotor Film specifications.

Given the limited number of dual operator workstations for audio processing, customising and configuring the entire installation required “considerable expertise,” stresses Qvest. To meet the challenges posed by this installation, experts from Qvest decided to split the 64-channel mixer at Babelsberg’s Studio F into two and allow for dual operation.

Der Dolby Atmos-compatible Avid S6 console offers extensive audio production capabilities. The system allows mix engineers to identify and define individual sounds, effects or spoken phrases before they enter the mixing console. Sounds, effects, music snippets or individual instruments can be split into individual VCA groups, analysed and processed in the console. Users can also operate the S6 console to work directly on the channel via its “dynamics processing” or the touch controls provided on the console’s central monitor.

Modular and scalable studios

One of the keys to the Qvest integration is the use of interchangeable modules and scalable consoles, which allow specific post-production needs to be met. With this configuration, the Rotor Film team recently worked on The Matrix Resurrections, the fourth part of director Lana Wachowski’s award-winning sci-fi saga.

In addition to the installation of the Avid S6, the Qvest team will be supporting the modernisation of other Rotor Film installations over the next few years, drawing on their experience in systems integration. In fact, at its Zurich studio, the Qvest team recently installed and commissioned a Pro Tools 5.1 system. As far as the Berlin location is concerned, the partners are currently in the review and planning phase for further audio post-production projects.

Martin Frühmorgen, managing director of Rotor Film, appreciates the Qvest role in their latest renovation: “We needed a partner we could rely on, who could keep up with our pace and who knew the technologies in our industry. Getting the new equipment in place has given us the most modern mixing and grading studio you will find anywhere in Europe and one of the few major Dolby Atmos studios in Germany. With our studio we offer absolute production security and state-of-the-art technological equipment even for international productions.”

Andererseits, Jonathan Baker, solution architect at Qvest, praises the smooth operation of the Avid S6 consoles: “The biggest challenge was to minimize studio downtime. And when it comes to optimally exploiting the dual-operator installation with Avid S6 consoles, knowing network technology and workflow design inside out is key. The result in all three studios is absolutely remarkable and therefore we are even more pleased that our cooperation can be continued at the further locations of Rotor Film.”