Riedel’s New DSP-1216HL SmartPanel at NAB

Riedel Unveils DSP-1216HL SmartPanel: A Desktop Revolution for Live Production at NAB 2025

By Archyde News, April 7, 2025

Based on the robust 1200 Series technology, the DSP-1216HL offers 16 hybrid lever keys for intuitive communication, high-resolution multitouch displays, and customizable LED signal rings – a trifecta designed to enhance productivity in the fast-paced world of live production.

Riedel Redefines Desktop Intercoms for the Modern Broadcast Habitat

LAS VEGAS—At the 2025 NAB Show, Riedel Communications launched the DSP-1216HL SmartPanel, a compact yet powerful desktop intercom panel set to redefine communication workflows across broadcasting, live events, theaters, OB vans, and sports venues. This innovative SmartPanel brings the performance and versatility of Riedel’s acclaimed 1200 Series to a space-saving desktop form factor, answering the call for streamlined and efficient communication solutions.

The DSP-1216HL distinguishes itself through its software-defined capabilities, a feature that mirrors the adaptability of smartphones. This allows users to customize the panel’s functionality through a suite of apps. Upon launch, the panel supports three core 1200 Series SmartPanel Apps: the Intercom App for real-time communications, the Control Panel App for seamless third-party system integration, and the Audio Monitoring app for advanced sound management.

Dominik Litfin, Product Manager Panels at Riedel communications, emphasized the design philosophy behind the new SmartPanel: Previously, users that wanted to enjoy all the advantages of our 1200 series SmartPanels had to rely on rack-mounted panels adapted for desktop use. Our fully integrated DSP-1216HL desktop SmartPanel now delivers improved user comfort, streamlined workflows, and maximum efficiency in demanding production environments. Our new Desktop SmartPanel packs a ton of functionality in a very small footprint, giving users more space, improved ergonomics, and an intuitive UI. The multifunctional hardware saves space,power,weight,and cost,all while maintaining the flexibility and rich feature set that our customers expect.

Key Features and Benefits: A Deep Dive

the DSP-1216HL SmartPanel isn’t just about size; it’s packed wiht features designed to enhance the user experience and improve workflow efficiency:

• 16 Hybrid Lever keys: Designed for intuitive Talk-Mute and Talk-Listen interactions, these keys provide tactile control in high-pressure environments. This is analogous to the customizable buttons found on high-end gaming controllers, allowing users to map functions for quick access.
• High-Resolution Multitouch Displays: These displays offer a clear and customizable interface, allowing users to monitor and control various parameters with ease. Imagine the real-time data visualization capabilities of a Bloomberg Terminal, but tailored for live production.
• Customizable LED Signal Rings: These rings provide visual cues for incoming calls, talk status, and other vital details, reducing the chance of missed cues. Think of the color-coded alerts used in air traffic control, adapted for the fast-paced world of live broadcasting.
• Seamless Integration: Engineered for seamless integration with Riedel’s Artist intercom ecosystem, the DSP-1216HL supports connectivity via AES67 (SMPTE ST 2110-30) and AES3 protocols, ensuring compatibility with both Artist-1024 and Artist-32/64/128 systems.
• Premium 2.1 Speaker System: The integrated speaker system delivers crystal-clear audio, even without a headset, making it a reliable audio monitoring solution.
• Compact Design with VESA Mounting: the panel’s compact design and VESA mounting option make it ideal for space-constrained environments and floating setups.

Practical Applications and Real-World Scenarios for American Broadcasters

The Riedel DSP-1216HL SmartPanel is poised to make a significant impact on various live production environments across the united States. Consider these scenarios:

• Sports Broadcasting: During a live NFL broadcast, the DSP-1216HL can facilitate seamless communication between the director, camera operators, commentators, and technical crew, ensuring that viewers at home don’t miss a single play. The customizable LED rings can be programmed to indicate which camera is live, reducing errors and improving the overall quality of the broadcast.
• Live Events: At a major music festival like Coachella or Lollapalooza, the SmartPanel can enable clear communication between stage managers, sound engineers, lighting technicians, and security personnel, ensuring that the event runs smoothly and safely.The integrated speaker system allows personnel to monitor audio feeds without the need for headsets, increasing situational awareness.
• Theaters: On Broadway,the SmartPanel can facilitate communication between the stage manager,actors,lighting and sound crews,and backstage personnel,ensuring that performances run flawlessly. The compact design is ideal for cramped backstage environments.
• OB Vans: In the confined space of an outside broadcasting (OB) van, the DSP-1216HL’s small footprint and VESA mounting option make it a perfect fit. the panel can be used to manage communication between the director,camera operators,sound engineers,and other crew members,ensuring that live events are captured and broadcast with the highest quality.

Addressing Potential Counterarguments

While the DSP-1216HL offers numerous advantages,some might argue that software-defined panels are inherently more complex to configure and maintain.Riedel addresses this concern by providing extensive training materials and support resources. Moreover, the intuitive user interface and customizable nature of the panel allow users to tailor it to their specific needs, reducing the learning curve.

Another potential concern is the cost of upgrading to a software-defined intercom system. Though, Riedel argues that the long-term benefits of increased efficiency, flexibility, and scalability outweigh the initial investment. The ability to customize the panel’s functionality through software updates also ensures that it remains relevant and up-to-date, protecting the investment for years to come.

The Future of SmartPanel Technology

Jake Dodson, Executive Director of Product Management at Riedel Communications, offered a glimpse into the company’s future plans: The SmartPanel family just keeps on growing, getting more powerful with every step! By adding our new Virtual SmartPanel and the 1200 series Desktop smartpanel to our portfolio, we now offer the perfect user interface for any application. Looking ahead, we continue to invest in our software-defined hardware platform, with new SmartPanel Apps in advancement to meet the evolving demands of our industry.

This commitment to innovation suggests that Riedel will continue to push the boundaries of intercom technology, developing new features and applications that further enhance the user experience and improve workflow efficiency. The development of new SmartPanel apps will likely focus on areas such as remote collaboration, automated workflows, and advanced audio processing.

NAB Show: See the DSP-1216HL in Action

Attendees at the 2025 NAB Show can experience the DSP-1216HL firsthand at Riedel’s booth.

Stand N1821

How will the customization options of the DSP-1216HL SmartPanel through apps affect workflow efficiency in large-scale productions?

A Desktop Revolution: An Interview with Anya Sharma on the Riedel DSP-1216HL SmartPanel

archyde News caught up with Anya Sharma, a veteran Broadcast Engineer, to discuss Riedel’s new DSP-1216HL SmartPanel, unveiled at NAB 2025.

Anya,welcome to Archyde News. Can you tell us a bit about your experience with intercom systems in live production?

Thanks for having me.I’ve been working in broadcast for over 20 years, and I’ve seen intercoms evolve from clunky, dedicated systems to the sophisticated solutions we have today.I’ve worked on everything from major sporting events to broadway productions, so I’ve got a good perspective on what makes for an efficient and reliable dialog system.

The DSP-1216HL seems to be making waves. What’s your initial impression of Riedel’s new Desktop SmartPanel?

My initial impression is very positive. The move to a desktop form factor is a smart one, especially given the space constraints in OB vans, control rooms, and even backstage areas.The features are well-considered, especially the 16 hybrid lever keys, the customizable LED signal rings, and the seamless integration with Riedel’s existing Artist ecosystem. it’s clear they’ve listened to the needs of real-world users.

You mentioned the key features. Are there any that particularly stand out to you, or that you think will be most impactful in a live production habitat?

Definitely the software-defined capabilities. The ability to customize the panel through apps is a game-changer. It allows for adaptability and future-proofing. You can tailor the panel precisely to your workflow, which is invaluable.Also, I think the built-in speaker system is a great touch. It eliminates the need for headsets in certain situations, increasing situational awareness.

The article also highlights the panel’s applications in sports broadcasting, live events, and even theaters. Do you think these applications will truly benefit from a desktop intercom solution?

Absolutely. Think about an NFL broadcast. The director, camera operators, audio engineers—they all need to communicate instantly and clearly. The DSP-1216HL,with its intuitive interface and reliable performance,can streamline these communications. In live events and theater, where space is at a premium, the compact design is a huge advantage, too.

Riedel mentions seamless integration with the Artist intercom ecosystem. From a technical perspective,why is this notable?

It provides backward compatibility,and it ensures that this new system can easily integrate with existing investments that broadcast professionals have already made. This also means that you’re not starting from scratch in terms of setup and training, which always helps.

What do you see as the biggest challenge for the DSP-1216HL in the market?

One potential challenge is the learning curve. While the user interface is intuitive, any new system requires training.The cost is also a consideration, although Riedel argues that the long-term benefits will outweigh the initial investment. But really, the biggest challenge is just getting it in front of people to show them how good it is.

if you could ask Riedel’s engineers one question about the DSP-1216HL, what would it be?

I’d ask them about future SmartPanel app growth. What new features and functionalities are they planning to release in the next year? I’m particularly interested in what they have in mind for remote collaboration and automated workflows. It’s a very forward-thinking panel, so I can’t wait to see how it’ll continue to evolve.

Thank you so much for your time and insights, Anya. It’s been a pleasure.

My pleasure, thank you!