AJA Gear Powers Toby Santos’ Hybrid Production Workflow
▼ Summary
– Live production director Toby Santos uses a hybrid workflow combining technical direction, production, and streaming, with AJA’s Corvid 88 card as a core component.
– Santos built a home control room during the 2020 production halt, enabling remote professional live production and streaming using the Corvid 88.
– The Corvid 88 handles multiple SDI feeds, integrates with vMix, and ensures sync and reliability, making it essential for Santos’ portable production setups.
– Santos relies on the Corvid 88 for real-time signal processing and output, providing flexibility and stability for complex live productions.
– The Corvid 88 supports hybrid workflows by allowing developers to configure up to eight HD/SD channels or combine SDI connections for 4K/UltraHD, ensuring future-proof flexibility.
The modern live production landscape demands seamless integration between technical and creative workflows, with professionals increasingly adopting hybrid approaches to meet evolving industry needs. Los Angeles-based director Toby Santos exemplifies this shift, leveraging AJA’s Corvid 88 video/audio PCIe I/O card to streamline his versatile production setup. His work spans news, sports, music, and corporate events, blending technical direction with live streaming and recording, all while maintaining broadcast-quality output.
When the pandemic disrupted traditional production in 2020, Santos transformed his home studio into a fully functional control room. The Corvid 88 became the backbone of his system, handling multiple SDI feeds with zero latency while integrating flawlessly with vMix software. “I needed reliability under pressure,” Santos explained. “Whether directing Viacom shows or managing live broadcasts for BET, this card delivered consistent performance without compromise.”
His workflow revolves around a scalable signal path: incoming feeds are decoded, converted to SDI, and processed in real time through the Corvid 88 before being routed to recorders or live streams. The card’s flexibility allows Santos to adapt on the fly, whether he’s working from his home studio or a portable flypack setup. “It’s not just about handling signals, it’s about maintaining quality while juggling multiple roles,” he noted.
Even as in-person productions rebound, Santos continues to rely on his hybrid model for remote collaboration. “Today’s directors are also engineers, and producers double as stream technicians,” he said. “Having tools like the Corvid 88 means I can pivot instantly without sacrificing professionalism.” Looking ahead, he emphasizes balancing innovation with dependability: “Cutting-edge workflows are thrilling, but they’re worthless without gear you can trust. AJA gives me that confidence every time.”
The Corvid 88 stands out for its versatility, offering eight configurable HD/SD channels per card or combined 4K/UltraHD support for future-proof workflows. Developers and production teams leverage its robust I/O capabilities for playout servers, ingest systems, and channel-in-a-box solutions, making it a staple in dynamic broadcast environments.
AJA Video Systems, headquartered in Grass Valley, California, has been a trusted name in professional video technology since 1993. Their commitment to high-performance, cost-effective solutions continues to shape the broadcast and post-production industries, empowering creatives like Santos to push boundaries without technical limitations.
(Source: Streaming Media)
