Overhauling its core broadcast engine to the flagship Telos Axia Quasar console, the station has bridged classic high-reliability broadcast architecture with modern visual radio, remote codecs, and hybrid multi-platform delivery.

While new technology narratives often frame studio builds around aesthetics, the true story of OFM’s transformation lies in software-driven routing, clever repurposing of legacy Audio over IP (AoIP) nodes, zero downtime during migration, and high operational discipline.

Unlike routine technology cycles driven strictly by feature upgrades, OFM’s primary catalyst for replacing its legacy Axia Fusion setup was raw physical wear and tear from continuous 24/7/365 operations.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, rigorous biosecurity protocols involved regular studio disinfection using specialised chemical compounds (such as Virol-Oxy). Over time, chemical residue accelerated the degradation of internal physical switches and console contact points. To maintain OFM’s strict "Always On" operational standard across the Free State, Northern Cape, North West, and Vaal regions, leadership opted for a full replacement before hardware failure could compromise live output.

Historically, the station utilised a Fusion console on-air paired with a standalone Axia iQ board in the booth. To streamline the footprint and maximize efficiency, the engineering team deployed a single Axia Quasar console running a physical hardware control surface in the main studio alongside an independent HTML5 soft-surface touch interface in the booth.

To make the booth operate fully independently, the team leveraged isolated microphones that were customized, preventing cross-talk and feedback. Virtual Mixes (V-Mixes) were built into the studio engine routing to handle separate monitor lines, Pre-Fade Listen (PFL), and Red Light/Air Guard (RAG) controls. Dedicated surface faders were assigned to specific soft-surface faders for independent monitor level control without altering main on-air levels.

Executing an infrastructure overhaul on a live regional broadcast station usually risks dead air or audio glitches. OFM avoided operational friction through careful preparation and standardisation.

Broadcasting was flipped to the secondary "Blue Studio," leaving the main "Red Studio" free for desk modification, console mounting, and rewiring.

OFM retained the original IP addressing and audio stream numbering schema used by the previous Fusion board; the new Quasar surface integrated cleanly into OFM’s existing Axia Pathfinder routing system.

Core audio playout, traffic management, and newsroom automation connections remained untouched at the switch layer, allowing rapid cutback with zero configuration errors.

Multi-protocol codecs, including Telos ZipOne, AETA MicroScoop, Cleanfeed, and Prodys Quantum, were pre-mapped directly to console faders, allowing instant live outside broadcasts from anywhere in Central South Africa, or for that matter anywhere in the world.

OFM’s studio rebuild provides several strategic insights for the broader African media ecosystem.

Broadcasters need not discard entire networking backbones when upgrading control surfaces. OFM seamlessly operates hardware nodes dating back to 2006 alongside cutting-edge Quasar engines.

As Central Media Group positions OFM for the next decade of multi-platform audio, this studio installation proves that technical innovation does not require reinventing operational wheels. By pairing modern AoIP capabilities with solid engineering practices, OFM has set a benchmark for reliability, acoustic quality, and regional broadcasting strength across South Africa.

Contributions by:

Nick Efstathiou, Chief Executive Officer

Jan van der Walt, Chief Technical Officer