A WheatNet app called IP Meters monitors every source, every destination, every signal in the nonprofit’s three live production studios serving its 24/7 network of talk shows, scripture studies, live call-in shows and devotionals. A quick glance up at the 42-inch flatscreen monitor across from the studios tells operators every audio source and destination for the production department, engineering, remote broadcasts and network feeds on a 16 x 16 grid of meters.

If something goes wrong, they can see it. And just as important, WheatNet IP can see it too. Better yet, if silence is detected, SLIOs in the WheatNet IP can instantly trigger failover to a secondary backup and/or alert on-call staff members to remediate the situation.

Monitoring and intelligent failovers are perks of the WheatNet IP audio network installed by the nonprofit in 2021 at their headend studios in Buffalo, New York, which feeds 18 AM and FM stations throughout the Northeast as well as its worldwide iCatholicRadio app. The nonprofit switched from analog studios to fully WheatNet IP audio networked studios with LXE IP audio consoles over several phases, starting with I/O Blades as the routing and control backbone for the studios and more recently integrating Glass LXE with its vMix live video streaming platform for adding visual to its programming.

All of this is monitored on the big screen, plus leader-follower programming from the WideOrbit automation feeding into a Streamblade appliance for the iCatholicRadio app and TheStationoftheCross.com website (effectively eliminating several computers and outboard audio processors to do the equivalent). Add in new networked TS-22 talent stations and that of six I/O Blades, including a four-channel M4IP-USB Blade that doubles as both I/O routing for the network and mic processing for four microphone positions, and it’s an eyeful – and earful! 

Recently, The Station of the Cross Catholic Media Network upgraded to a new version of IP Meters that lets operators listen in on any feed in the network, among other new features (including QML metering, better security, and several Blade 4 metering options and additions).

“I’m constantly monitoring. I like visually seeing things, but now with this new version, I can jump from studio to studio and do a sound check from my phone,” said Michael Buttino, who is Director of Production and Technology for The Station of the Cross Catholic Media Network, which is part of non-profit organization Holy Family Communications Inc. He created several mux combinations of mics, cues and programming using Blade utility mixers so he can quickly check critical points on the network, right down to talkback channels.

The IP Meters app is especially useful for remotes, which the nonprofit does plenty of as a 24/7 network with guests remoting in from all over the world. Programming is aired on AM and FM frequencies throughout Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania, and Ohio and streamed live to YouTube, Facebook, TheStationoftheCross.com, and iCatholicRadio mobile app. IP Meters displays sends and returns from Comrex BRIC Links as well as the vMix live streaming platform, all fully integrated into the WheatNet IP audio network showing connection status and emergency alerts at a glance.

WheatNet IP audio intelligent logic, scripting, SNMP monitoring and utility mixers in the network Blades re-route, adjust and failover to backups in emergencies.

“If something crashes, we’ll know it,” said Mike. “In general, WheatNet resources have been solid with minimal downtime since installing the WheatNet IP system in 2021.”

In addition to audio monitoring, the latest release of IP Meters includes several analysis tools including L vs R phase analysis and loudness metering functions (peak, attack/release and 3D plot) and there is a version that runs natively in Blade 4 as well. Go to https://wheatstone.com/product/ip-meters/ or email us at [email protected] to find out about the new version of IP Meters.