Hosting a wide variety of events from high-intensity NHL games to complex live music concerts and major entertainment productions, Montreal’s 21,000 capacity Bell Centre is the largest indoor arena in Canada and one of the largest ice hockey arenas in the world. With the aim of developing its broadcast and live production architecture to make the most of its multi-purpose spaces, the venue has embraced a brand-new ST 2110 infrastructure designed around Calrec’s space-saving reduced height Argo S console.
As home to the NHL’s Montréal Canadiens Hockey Club, Bell Centre’s Patrick Cyrenne believes the modular and open nature of Calrec’s ecosystem will help the venue to support greater creativity, efficiency, and develop more fan experiences no matter where or how the content is consumed.
“Argo has been a game-changer for managing the quick turnaround between different types of events,” says Cyrenne, who is Bell Centre’s Manager, Broadcasting and Electronics, and responsible for maintaining and overseeing the broadcast installations for game presentation.
“Its modular and flexible architecture allows us to easily reconfigure the console for different situations, which is essential to adhere to our tight schedules and varied technical demands. During a hockey game our audio workflow is geared toward broadcast feeds and Argo enables us to build show-specific layouts and recall them instantly.
Cyrenne explains the Argo S is also being used to produce and enhance more fan-focused and niche content across multiple platforms, especially for social media and digital engagement. He says, “The ability to manage simultaneous mixes allows us to tailor audio for alternate feeds without interrupting the main broadcast workflow. We also use it for recording voice overs and podcasts, as well as for watch parties where we generate audio feeds for in-venue entertainment and custom audio mixes for social streams, interviews, and special segments that run alongside the main event.”
In fact, with in-house and remote production, multiple language feeds, digital content, and social media deliverables, Cyrenne says Bell Centre’s output and quality control per event has increased dramatically.
“Features like integrated automatic mix-minus means we can take on more without sacrificing quality or reliability,” he says. “Ultimately, Calrec helps us deliver high-quality content faster and more flexibly, allowing our team to stay agile and meet the growing demands of modern live event production.”
The compact, reduced-height Argo S met Bell Centre’s ergonomic requirements, while a mixture of Dante and MADI cards ensures it can cater to any visiting OB trucks needing access to its audio network. Meanwhile, its interoperable IP backbone means it plays nicely with other key components of the Arena’s network.
“The Argo functions as a core audio engine within a larger, interconnected production ecosystem, and communicates directly with a range of IP-enabled systems,” says Cyrenne. “This eliminates the need for traditional audio patching and allows us to dynamically route and manage audio throughout the entire facility.
“Our Ross Ultrix FR12 and FR5 routers act as central routing hubs for both video and audio signals, and Argo’s tight integration allows for synchronised routing of embedded audio alongside video across various production paths. This gives us full flexibility for handling mixed-media workflows during rapid event transitions.
“Argo also integrates directly with Cinedeck recorders for multichannel audio capture, the Prodigy I/O interface for bridging analogue or MADI sources, and our EVS audio track system for replay, highlights production and archives. Meanwhile, its integration with EVS Cerebrum means we can monitor and control Argo, the FR12 and FR5 routers, and all associated devices from a single interface, as well as patch changes and configuration recalls for different events like hockey games or special productions like Télédon or fan watch parties.”
The flexible setup also makes things easier for visiting broadcasters. Cyrenne explains, “On game days most of the audio interconnectivity with the main broadcaster is direct and our game production can be easily incorporated into our broadcast partner’s program feed and vice versa. Having the flexibility to transport the audio signal in a variety of ways is useful as some operators prefer to stay on legacy technology; we operate Dante in the bowl for PA and for audio distribution around the concourse and the interconnect room, which gives us access to every audio source throughout the venue.”
The installation was a team effort between the venue, digital media integration company Applied Electronics Ltd, and Calrec’s Canadian distributor True North A.V., resulting in a system that enables Bell Centre to align with its current technical infrastructure as well as meet its evolving production needs.
“Working with Bell Centre has been a defining moment for True North A.V.,” says Kypros Christodoulides, Technical Sales & Support at True North AV, Calrec’s Canadian distribution partner. “Argo’s powerful and intuitive architecture is exactly what a high-profile venue like this needs. It gives the production team the tools to adapt in real time, whether they’re broadcasting a game, hosting a concert, or creating content for digital platforms. We’re proud to support a system that raises the bar for audio excellence in live entertainment.”
“Major venues like Bell Centre are looking to create more value for their customers,” says Calrec’s International Sales Manager Anthony Harrison. “Argo’s flexibility means it can pivot quickly and support multiple production demands all at once. The installation has given Bell Centre the ability to not only deliver high quality broadcast content, but to drive creative engagement across multiple channels and connect with fans in more personalised and dynamic ways.”
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