At Cleanfeed, we’re thrilled to see how our tools are enabling broadcasters to break free from the studio and take their shows to exciting new locations. Recently, the team at kmfm in Kent did just that, transforming a seaside spot into a live morning show hub for a fun summer edition.

No special event, just pure enjoyment in the sun, with presenters Rob Wills and Numi Gildert bringing their regular breakfast show outdoors. And with Cleanfeed at the heart of the operation, they delivered seamless, high-quality audio back to the studio without missing a beat.

The Scenic Setup at Sea Scrub Sauna

Nestled by the water in Whitstable, Kent, the Sea Scrub Sauna provided the perfect backdrop for this outside broadcast (OB). With boats bobbing in the distance and string lights overhead, it was an idyllic summer spot, though not without its quirks. Seagulls added to the ambiance (we even captured it with a stereo mic setup), and the venue’s compact size meant keeping wandering guests quiet during segments. Wireless mics near the water? A bit nerve-wracking, but handled like pros.

The team arrived bright and early at 5am on Friday, July 18, 2025, to kick off setup for a 6:30am start. In just 1.5 hours, everything was ready, proving how efficient modern OB workflows can be. Producer Becca Webb doubled as video editor for social media clips, while studio tech-op Liam Cash handled the back-end from base. The broadcast ran smoothly until 10am, with zero public disruptions and even some heartwarming visits from parents and kids saying hello to Rob and Numi before school.

Tech breakdown: Keeping it simple yet sophisticated

The heart of the setup was a Yamaha DM3 digital mixer, chosen for its ease of use and flexible routing capabilities — ideal for this multi-layered OB. We patched everything quickly and saved the config to a USB stick for future gigs, ensuring consistency across similar shows.

Key components included:

• Microphones: 3x RODE PodMics connected directly to the DM3 for the main table chat, plus 2x Sennheiser wireless mics for on-the-move activities.
• Editing Laptop: Dante-connected for on-the-go clip recording. Including real-time access to station logs via Zetta2Go (music playback stayed in the studio).
• Dante Network: Seamlessly linking the DM3, editing laptop, and streaming PC. Configured with Dante Controller.
• Connectivity: A Netgear Nighthawk M6 modem on the Three network. We started on 5G but switched to 4G for rock-solid stability. Usage was low that early in the morning, but 4G proved more reliable and less prone to packet loss. Pro tip: Don’t always chase the “faster” option; stability wins for live audio!

Mixes were tailored for precision:

• Bus 1/2 (stereo): Headphone feed for presenters, including Cleanfeed’s return audio from the studio. Broken out to a headphone amp by the presenters desk.
  
• Bus 3/4 (stereo): Mix-minus sent to the studio via Cleanfeed.
  
• Bus 5/6 (stereo): Sources sent to the editing laptop for recording
  
• Matrix mix (mono): Return feed to an on-site speaker, streaming the main studio output via VLC player.

Mute groups kept things under control:

• Group 1: All mics, for quick silencing.
  
• Group 2: Speaker return feed, muted before mics went live.

Fun in the sun: Dips, chats, and zero hiccups

The real magic happened on-air. Rob and Numi dove into activities like a chilly plunge in an ice-filled tin bath, wireless mics and extended headphone leads in tow. (Thankfully, no accidental mic drops from the cold shock!) The low-latency setup meant effortless real-time interaction with Liam at the studio, who managed buttons and cues flawlessly.

Presenters stayed connected to listeners via studio emails, socials, and WhatsApp, while Becca captured video for kmfm’s channels. Weather held up beautifully, dodging heavy rain the days before and after, which was crucial since we couldn’t pre-set equipment overnight. Even a wobbly table leg got a quick fix with a strategic kick.

Cleanfeed: The unsung hero of effortless OBs

What made this OB shine? Cleanfeed’s reliability and simplicity. We connected just 15 minutes before going live for a quick test, then hit the airwaves with confidence. Using our live outside broadcast method with a 250ms buffer smoothed over any potential packet loss on mobile data, ensuring glitch-free audio.

Cleanfeed’s low latency enabled natural conversations between site and studio, while its bandwidth efficiency meant no worries on 4G. It freed up time for the fun stuff, like ambiance mics and ice baths, instead of wrestling with tech. Rock-solid performance meant the focus stayed on engaging content, not troubleshooting.

Wrapping up: Tips for your next outdoor adventure

This kmfm OB shows how Cleanfeed empowers teams to go mobile without compromise. Quick setups, stable connections, and pro-grade audio make ambitious broadcasts accessible.

Lessons learned:

• Opt for 4G over 5G for stability in low-usage scenarios.
• Save mixer configs for repeatable efficiency.

Ready to take your show outside? Dive into Cleanfeed Pro and see how it can elevate your productions. Sign up today or explore more tips in our knowledge base.