+++DIGICO++++DIGICO++++DIGICO++++DIGICO++++DIGICO++++DIGICO++++DIGICO++++DIGICO++ Ultimate Control 2012 marks an anniversary milestone for DiGiCo and highlights its experience and its success in console manufacture, with the original company formed 40 years ago, 20 years later producing its first digital console, and the DiGiCo brand now celebrating double figures. The acclaimed SD Series is DiGiCo s latest generation of consoles. Based on the power of Super FPGA technology and adopting a multi application approach, it includes the SD7, SD7T, SD7-B, SD10, SD10-B, SD10-24, SD8, SD8-24, SD9, SD11, SD11i, and SD11-B. DiGiCo has developed a simple system for its consoles. This incorporates a touch screen interface and integrated engine, operating system and dual power supplies combined within the console worksurface, plus a digital snake and remote control studio quality pre-amps. All SD consoles have a common user interface, providing a level of familiarity that makes it easy for engineers to move around the whole range, with the emphasis always on allowing them to get their job done quickly, easily, and with exceptional sonic performance thanks to the power of Stealth Digital Processing. Using floating-point FPGA processors gives vastly increased headroom and a system that is almost impossible to clip. Even low-frequency signals maintain their integrity, with the new 2GB Optocore allowing the transfer of up to 512 channels at 96k over distances in excess of 1,000 metres in a redundant loop. DiGiCo is the only manufacturer that employs Gain Tracking to allow up to five consoles to share inputs/ house racks without affecting each other s gain structure, requiring splitters, or conversion from digital to analogue. This is ideal for the live and broadcast environments where there may be a front of house, monitor, mobile broadcast, and recording console. DiGiCo consoles also have a different approach for accessing channels, providing a visual indication of what is happening on all the console s faders. With the exception of the I/O racks, DiGiCo consoles are a one-box solution, allowing engineers to turn up, turn on, and mix. All SD consoles are Waves SoundGrid ready and a range of I/O rack options is available with full redundancy provided, both in terms of power supply and the MADI or optical connection to the racks. DiGiCo has always championed the use of remote stage racks with digital multicores, as they minimise signal degradation from onstage sources and eliminate the need for bulky analogue snakes. SD consoles also provide integrated I/O within the surface, eliminating the need for an external rack for local I/O. A seamless interface is provided with the standard MADI or optional Optocore connection, providing up to 696 inputs/696 outputs with the SD7. I/O cards include analogue, AES/EBU, Aviom, EtherSound, and D-TuBe. Multi-track recording and playing back of performances, pioneered by DiGiCo back in 16 PROMOTIONAL FEATURE
consoles oles 2012 ++DIGICO++++DIGICO++++DIGICO++++DIGICO++++DIGICO++++DIGICO++++DIGICO++++DIGICO++ SD11i SD9 Supercharged SD8 Overdrive 2 SD10 Nitrous SD7 Input Channels 32 Flexi 48 Flexi 60 Flexi 96 + 12 Flexi 256 configurable Busses 12 Flexi (+ Master + Matrix + 2 Solos) 16 Flexi (+ Master + Matrix + 2 Solos) 24 Flexi (+ Master + Matrix + 2 Solos) 48 Configurable (+ Master + Matrix + 2 Solos) Dynamic EQ 6 8 10 16 256 DiGiTubes 6 8 10 16 256 Multiband Comp 6 8 10 16 256 FX 6 8 12 16 48 GEQ 12 16 24 24 32 Matrix 8x8 12x8 16x12 16x16 32x32 CG 8 8 12 24 36 Reorder Busses No Yes Yes Yes Yes Multi channel Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Set Spill Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 128 configurable 2002, has never been easier than when the desks are teamed up with various third-party MADI interfaces and DAW software. Offline/online software allows preparation on an off-site computer, or remote control of the worksurface, allowing huge savings in venue times. All DiGiCo SD consoles are software/ firmware upgradeable. Company Ethos Listening to engineers and understanding their desires is fundamental to DiGiCo s ethos. This means that the company produces what the market wants, not just what it thinks it needs. The DiGiCo team is as important as its products. The R&D department probably has more digital experience than any other, with Technical Director John Stadius having been with the company for 33 years, including his time at Soundtracs. Add Managing Director James Gordon, Marketing Director David Webster, the skills of Helen Culleton and Maria Fiorellino, plus a knowledgeable sales force in Ian Staddon, Tim Shaxson, James Digger Bradley, and James Lawford, and you know that the company is staffed by the very best in the business. Left to right; James Gordon, John Stadius, Helen Culleton and David Webster. THE INTERNATIONAL CONSOLE BUYER S GUIDE 17
+++DIGICO++++DIGICO++++DIGICO++++DIGICO++++DIGICO++++DIGICO++++DIGICO++++DIGICO++ SD7T The SD7T is a theatre-specific application extension based on the SD7 platform. Amongst its features the SD7T includes: Delay on Matrix inputs per node (node delay); next generation Live Update, known as Audio Update; complete integration of Cue Editor for fast editing of VCA; assignment ripple through VCA control. SD7 The SD7 was the first digital mixing console to use Stealth Digital Processing. It is the most powerful live performance console to date, with more than eight times the processing power of its nearest rival. The flexible bussing structure features a possible 128 busses and 256 processing paths, plus a 32 x 32 Matrix, 32 x 32 band graphic EQ, and a plethora of internal effects. Packing all this power into just four chips, the SD7 s efficiency is remarkable, also freeing space to allow two redundant processing engines to be accommodated. SD7 options include the EX-007 expander unit. It is possible to connect two EX-007s, increasing your fader count to 100. SD7B The SD7B is a broadcast specific application extension. Its feature set has been created to manage the extensive and challenging work of the broadcast market. In addition to the standard console s impressive feature set, it handles up to 996 simultaneous optical plus 224 MADI, 24 analogue and AES/EBU connections. It can run two high-speed Optocore loops, with any combination of 448 inputs and outputs on each loop and all at 96kHz. Local I/O connections are ideal for fast outside broadcast setup before setting up the racks. Backstop PFL is available on every channel, while 256 dynamic EQ processors are available on any input or output on each band of EQ, as are 256 multiband compressors, also available on any input or output. 48 simultaneous internal Stealth digital effects, from a palette of 33, are also provided. SD10 Sitting comfortably above the SD8, the SD10 has all the refinements you would expect, but with the addition of some exciting new options. 96 channels with full processing 12 of which can be configured as full Flexi Channels and outputs that can be assigned across the surface. Smart Key Marcros, rear located local I/O, Dynamic EQ on all four bands of parametric EQ, 48 assignable busses and insertable FX and graphic EQs that can be routed, controlled and snapshot recalled, are just some of the features that aid the most complex show design. SD10B As with the SD7B, the SD10B s broadcast specific feature set includes such innovations as multi-channel folding under a single fader, allowing users to configure stereo, LCR, 5.1, or up to 11 mono channels under a single fader strip that can be unfolded for individual control, or neatly folded up for convenience and efficient work surface use, making it an exciting, costeffective option for any broadcast project. SD10-24 and SD10-24B The SD10-24 is designed for situations where space is at a premium. It measures under a metre in width, but still benefits from all the advanced features of the standard SD10 and files are fully compatible between both frame sizes. 18 PROMOTIONAL FEATURE
consoles 2012 ++DIGICO++++DIGICO++++DIGICO++++DIGICO++++DIGICO++++DIGICO++++DIGICO++++DIGICO++ SD8 The SD8 is a mid-level console with the power of Stealth Digital Processing via a single chip super FPGA engine. It provides the same audio quality as the flagship SD7, up to 60 Flexi Channels (equivalent to 120 channels of DSP), 24 busses (stereo or mono) plus two solo busses and a master, four band parametric EQ (with dynamic EQ on up to eight channels), hi/lo pass filters and dynamics on all inputs and outputs, 24 graphic EQs, eight stereo effects, and a 16 x 12 matrix. When fitted with the optical option, the SD8 can have up to 14 racks connected to it. SD8-24 Like the SD10-24, the SD8-24 is designed for situations where space is at a premium. It measures under a metre in width, but still benefits from all the advanced features of the standard SD8 and session files are fully compatible between both frame sizes. SD9 The SD9 is a complete, integrated system that provides the same sonic performance as all the SD Range consoles. It provides a 12 x 8 output matrix, its eight busses being additional to the console s 16 stereo, solo and master busses, with 48 Flexi Channels (mono or stereo) providing the equivalent of 96 channels of full DSP processing. SD11 The SD11 is designed to be equally at home as a desktop console or mounted in a 19-inch rack. By simply removing the end cheeks and armrest, 19-inch rack fixings are revealed, making it straightforward to incorporate the SD11 into any touring or installation environment. Manufactured with a steel chassis for strength and a polycarbonate-overlaid, aluminium work surface for reduced weight, the SD11 features 12 touch sensitive moving faders below a 15- inch touch sensitive screen. Sixteen microphone pre-amps, eight line outputs, and two mono AES I/O are provided on the console, in addition to which users have the option to connect a DiGiCo D-Rack to the CAT5E port. This provides a remote I/O rack frame with an additional 32 microphone inputs and up to 16 outputs. Further connections are a MADI port, GPI/O, MIDI, Overview screen output, Word Clock I/O, an Ethernet port for console remote control/ networking, and a USB port for file exchange and session backup. Thirty two channels with eight Flexi Channels and 12 Flexi Busses can be user configured as either mono or stereo. In its maximum configuration, these could be used as 12 stereo mixes equal to a remarkable 24 busses. SD11i A set of software/firmware upgrades provides the SD11i with more Flexi Channels (a full 32), more Dynamic EQ, more FX processing and the addition of DiGiTuBes and Multi-channel inputs (previously only available on the SD7). SD11B This application specific extension for the SD11, which includes the addition of multi-channel folding and sets, makes it an incredibly powerful, yet compact console for the broadcast market. THE INTERNATIONAL CONSOLE BUYER S GUIDE 19
+++DIGICO++++DIGICO++++DIGICO++++DIGICO++++DIGICO++++DIGICO++++DIGICO++++DIGICO++ 192kHz Mic/Line Input Card 192kHz Analogue Output Card AES/EBU Output Card AES/EBU Input/Output Card with bi-directional sample rate conversion Dante Input/Output Card AES/EBU Input Card (XLR) AES/EBU Input /Output Card (BNC) AES-42 Input Card for digital microphones ADAT Input/Output Card with optical connections HD-SDI Card Aviom D-16c A-Net Card Audio Networking With up to a total of 14 rack IDs on one optical loop, or 28 on a dual loop system, it is easy to see the potential for large corporate events, installations, or just expansive stages. This, coupled with the ability for any of the five consoles that can sit on one optical loop being able to address all inputs and individually address output slots on any rack, giving any engineer or system designer the flexibility and power they need to make any complex situation easy and intuitive. SD-Rack The largest in the range, the SD-Rack offers high resolution analogue to digital converters, incredible flexibility and superior sound quality to complement the power of your SD console. Running sample rates up to 192kHz, the SD-Rack can run multiple digital formats simultaneously including AES/EBU, Dante, AES-42, MADI, ADAT, and Aviom. Based around the same Stealth FPGA technology as the Digital Engines in the SD7 itself, the SD-Rack can run the optical loop at 96kHz, while providing a down-sampled 48kHz feed to the broadcast truck from one of the MADI output streams, even with Gain Tracking. Of course, it all starts with the mic preamplifier and here is the beginning of a high quality, sophisticated, and sonically superior signal path. With the same FPGA technology onboard as the console itself, the SD range of racks provides industry leading A/D conversion and DiGiCo s famous Gain Tracking. The SD-Rack features 14 slots, providing up to 56 ins and outs, and comes with or without optics. Running at 48kHz the two MADI ins and outs provide 56 fully redundant input and output channels via a duplicate MADI aux. If you need to run at 96kHz you can get a full complement of 56 channels of MADI in and out. Each interface card is hot swappable and the rack will automatically identify the type of card and configure it. The dual power supplies are also hot swappable and easily accessible at the top of the rack, ensuring you won t have to fight a mass of cables to get it out. D-Rack The next rack in the DiGiCo series of high sample rate interfaces is the D-Rack. It comes complete with CAT5 audio as standard, or with optional optical loop, can run sample rates up to 96kHz and provides 32 inputs and eight outputs as standard, with the option of eight modular outputs that can either run AES or analogue. This small, flexible rack is designed to sit on the floor, but can just as easily be rack mounted using the optional ears. Additionally, the D-Rack will now also support the new 16-channel Aviom interface. 20 PROMOTIONAL FEATURE
consoles 2012 ++DIGICO++++DIGICO++++DIGICO++++DIGICO++++DIGICO++++DIGICO++++DIGICO++++DIGICO++ SD-Mini and SD-Nano The SD-Mini and SD-Nano Racks are the latest additions to the DiGiCo range of high sample rate racks, complementing the SD and D racks to make a completely flexible remote rack solution for any situation. The SD-Mini is a 4U rack and can accept SD input and output cards, be they analogue or digital. Running purely digital the Mini can run up to 32 ins and outs. The Mini has MADI connectivity as standard with optical as an option, the ability to multi sample rate to external devices via MADI and also the ability for Gain Tracking. At the smallest end of the spectrum is the SD-Nano Rack. This 2U stage box works almost exactly the same way as the Mini, except it is half the size and therefore can only handle half the amount of inputs and outputs. The Nano is only available with optical connectivity. CONTACT DETAILS DiGiCo UK Ltd. Unit 10, Silverglade Business Park Leatherhead Road, Chessington Surrey KT9 2QL t +44 (0) 1372 845 600 f +44 (0) 1372 845 656 w www.digico.biz e info@digiconsoles.com THE INTERNATIONAL CONSOLE BUYER S GUIDE 21