Steiger Media's new hybrid truck, based on a compact Calrec Argo M console operates as both an on-site production unit and a ST2110-native hub, while working with a remote studio.
Covering all project types from classical concerts and jazz festivals to corporate events and sports broadcasts, Steiger Media's new AV-Mobil hybrid remote unit has enabled the company to reinvent its entire broadcast infrastructure with the installation of a Calrec Argo M console with integrated digital signal processing (DSP).
Specialising in live events and television productions across both traditional linear television and streaming channels, Steiger Media has been serving German-speaking audiences across the entire DACH (Germany-Austria-Switzerland) region for the last 25 years. But as the market grows more competitive, the company's 7.5 tonne AV-Mobil remote unit has differentiated the company's ability to deliver a wider range of content.
ST2110-Native Hub
Designed as both an autonomous on-site production unit and a ST2110-native hub that can work in tandem with a remote studio, the truck was launched in mid-2025 and centres on a compact 36-fader Argo M console. Managing Director Tobias Steiger finds the truck is already giving the company a distinct edge.
"We wanted to move away from rigid structures and totally rethink broadcast with this project," he said. "AV-Mobil's remote capabilities give us the agility to accept more short-notice projects and deploy our best talent exactly where it will be most effective. It allows us to act much faster and more efficiently, and it gives us a decisive, competitive advantage."
At the 2026 HAMBURG OPEN, 14-15 January, Calrec has been showing the remote control capabilities of its True Control 2.0 system, controlling Steiger Media's 36-fader Argo M console. The AV-Mobil remote unit housing the console demonstrates the agility of Calrec's True Control 2.0 by connecting the truck to a separate 24-fader Argo M with Internal DSP, and an Argo S with ImPulse1 core. These two units are positioned on the Calrec stand inside the exhibition.
True Remote Surface Control in Action
This workflow shows true remote surface control in action and follows a similar demonstration at Tonmeistertagung pro audio exhibition held in November 2025 in Düsseldorf. On the visitors’ reaction there, Tobias Steiger commented, "Many visitors know remote production in theory, but seeing the desk in the truck, which was parked outside, controlled live from the exhibition stand with almost zero latency was a real eye-opener. It proves the workflow isn't just futuristic sci-fi – it's ready for deployment."
Looking ahead to future projects he also said, "Calrec's True Control 2.0 connection will give us the freedom to control the desk from anywhere. We can dispatch the truck and handle the fine-tuning, or the entire mix, from our remote studio if the project demands it. Argo M can also be rebuilt remotely for every job. In a hybrid environment where we might mix news gathering today and a symphony orchestra tomorrow, this is essential. Moving away from rigid structures towards an open-space concept means we're no longer an island outside the venue. We're part of a wider network."
No Compromises
But the motivation behind AV-Mobil's design is not confined to greater flexibility. With a busy upcoming pipeline focused on spatial music productions, Argo M's immersive capabilities, power and space-saving design were also key considerations.
"We refused to make any of the audio compromises that are found in many compact vehicles," said Tobias. "AV-Mobil has a fully calibrated Genelec 7.1.4 Dolby Atmos monitoring system, the first fully immersive control room in a 7.5-tonne truck in our region. Space is always the most expensive currency in an OB van, so we needed a console that was physically compact but could compete in terms of performance.
"The Calrec Argo M was the only viable option. It has native support for 7.1.4 (Dolby Atmos) without workarounds and it gives us the necessary fader density and DSP power to handle complex orchestral recordings or immersive sports mixes without needing a trailer.
"Meanwhile, the ability to adapt the console to our workflows on the fly was vital. Argo M's fast scene recall means we can operate on tighter schedules and produce more content in less time, and with no sacrifice on quality. On the contrary, Calrec's sound quality is an improvement on all our master outputs."
Moving to Modern Infrastructures
Argo M's ability to natively integrate a range of protocols, from legacy MADI connectivity to IP-enabled sources like Dante and AES67, also makes it simple for Steiger Media to plug directly into modern infrastructures. As a service provider dealing with multiple onsite feeds, not having to cascade external converters to accept a range of formats minimises potential points of failure as well as setup times. Ultimately, Steiger Media becomes an easier partner to work with.
Steiger Media team - L-R Bernd Pohlmann, Tobias Steiger, Rene Harder
The HAMBURG OPEN installation was managed by Calrec's DACH distribution partner, Cerberus Media Solutions. Tobias commented that the support was exemplary, he said, "From initial planning of the AoIP network to commissioning, the Calrec team were by our side. It felt less like a vendor-client relationship and more like a technical partnership."
"The nature of content production is changing, and broadcasters are facing a completely new set of demands," remarked Calrec International Sales Manager for Germany, Graham Murray. "Sticking with traditional production workflows can sometimes be a barrier to winning new business, but this creative combination of the compact Argo M gives Steiger Media an edge.
“The ability to create flexible, distributed and hybrid workflows on the fly makes it a combination that suits a range of production environments where top-quality professional audio are essential, but on-site space may be limited." calrec.com
