EFE Agency upgrades the technology in its central studios in Madrid with AEQ Atrium consoles
The EFE Agency, or simply EFE, is an international news agency based in Madrid (Spain) founded in 1939. EFE is the leading multimedia news agency in Spanish, with a volume of three million news items per year to more than two thousand media outlets, through a network of more than three thousand journalists of 60 nationalities. It operates 24 hours a day from 180 cities in 110 countries and has four editorial offices in Madrid, Bogotá, Rio de Janeiro, and Bangkok.
Currently, Agencia EFE has carried out a major technological upgrade in its production studios, relying on AEQ technology to enhance the quality of its audio operations. The installation of two Atrium consoles represents a qualitative leap in terms of control, processing capacity, and connectivity, placing it on par with international benchmarks in professional audio technology.
Each of the new Atrium consoles features 18-fader control surfaces, combined with advanced operating modules and ATX Screen touchscreens, offering an intuitive and configurable interface to optimize technicians’ workflows. Thanks to this combination of hardware and software, operators have greater visibility and control over signals, with the ability to customize views, dynamically manage buses, and adapt the console to different production scenarios.
The renovation process has increased input and output capacity, incorporating eight microphone inputs with high-quality preamps, along with specific headphone outputs that improve monitoring for broadcasters. Similarly, four new line inputs were added, expanding the analog connectivity of the studios, and 64 audio channels over IP were enabled via Dante, providing scalability and allowing immediate integration with other devices and network systems. In addition, AEQ HB-02 cards have been incorporated into the booths, facilitating the direct connection of microphones and headphones with volume adjustment, improving ergonomics and reducing setup times.
ATRIUM is the third generation of ON AIR’s AEQ digital consoles for large-format audio production in broadcast environments with the most demanding technical requirements and intensive workflows. The unit incorporates IP audio systems that allow inputs and outputs, processing, and control to be distributed across different devices, sometimes physically distant from each other, with a maximum of 96 motorized faders and up to 6 control surfaces connected to the same AEQ XCORE central chassis.
The Atrium consoles have been interconnected with the main matrix via Dante, while maintaining parallel compatibility with MADI, ensuring seamless integration with the existing infrastructure and, at the same time, guaranteeing the redundancy and reliability required in a highly demanding environment such as an international news agency.
With this modernization, Agencia EFE is not only updating its audio equipment, but also strengthening its production capacity in content broadcasting and distribution, providing its professionals with a more versatile, robust work environment that is prepared for the technological challenges of the future.
The collaboration with AEQ, a leading manufacturer in the development of advanced solutions for radio and television, has been key to carrying out effective integration, respecting existing operations and ensuring service continuity during the technological migration process.
With the installation of AEQ Atrium consoles, Agencia EFE reaffirms its commitment to innovation and technical excellence, placing its studios at the forefront of the broadcast sector.
The entire project was led by the technical services department of Agencia EFE, headed by technical manager Carlos Madrid, in collaboration with the engineering and facilities department of AEQ, coordinated by Bernardo Saiz as commercial manager.
For more information from Agencia EFE, visit www.efe.com
