CPR Relishes in Its Freshly Acquired Headquarters

Cincinnati Public Radio's New State-of-the-art Headquarters Unveiled

Cincinnati Public Radio (CPR) has moved into its new headquarters, the Scripps Family Center for Public Broadcasting, located in northern Cincinnati's Evanston neighborhood on Dana Avenue. The two-story facility, designed by Emersion Design, was opened in April 2023 and has since become a cultural hub for CPR's listeners.

The new headquarters boasts a range of advanced studios, including two on-air studios, dual interview studios with dedicated control rooms, and a large performance studio. All rooms feature "room-in-room" construction for acoustic isolation, ensuring optimal sound quality.

The facility's designer, WSDG, described the space as a "cultural hub" for CPR's listeners. The open-concept approach, achieved through the use of glass throughout the studio, further enhances this feeling. Notably, the new headquarters is a mass timber building, constructed with solid wood panels, a trend that has seen a 15% increase according to CBS News.

CPR has equipped its studios with cutting-edge technology. For instance, they have chosen SAS consoles for the on-air studios and production studios, which use a Dante AoIP system. The facility also features separate video and immersive-capable audio control rooms. Cameras are strategically placed throughout the facility for video recording.

In addition to traditional radio broadcasting, CPR intends to create a video streaming footprint for music, theater, and other video content. The facility's versatile event spaces, equipped with a production lighting setup for video, will support this endeavour.

The A/V systems' design has evolved to a "more ambitious scope of present and future production possibilities." For transporting audio to its transmitter sites and to its Omnia.9 audio processors, CPR uses a Livewire system. GatesAir Intraplex codecs provide a point-to-point RF system and internet redundancy for CPR's STLs.

The new CPR headquarters is already booked with performances from the Cincinnati Opera, Shakespeare Center, and Children's Theatre, among others. Approximately 2,500 visitors attended CPR's "Welcome Weekend" held to celebrate the move.

The facility's video control rooms can be routed around the facility, allowing CPR's public gathering spaces to be used as additional recording areas. This flexibility underscores CPR's commitment to engaging with its community and providing a platform for local arts and culture.