DiGiCo has further developed the broadcast and theatre functionality of its SD9 digital mixing console.
The feature set that has been developed in collaboration with world-class sound designers, including Andrew Bruce is now available in the SD9T, which brings the theatre features of the flagship SD7T to the smaller SD9.
‘Some of the biggest problems in live theatre sound are those of “imaging” as performers move around the stage whilst occasionally donning hats which profoundly affect their sound due to the proximity of the head-worn microphones’ says DiGiCo Sales Application Specialist, Dan Page. ‘As a result, a designer will build a show file with a long cue list and use our theatre specific programming tools, including the Auto Update system and Aliases for cue to cue changes, and Matrix nodal delays for precise sound positioning.
‘The theatre variant of the Auto Update function instantly updates the channel parameters to all cues, and by using Aliases, affect only those cues where that parameter is the same. For example, if you wanted to make an EQ change to character Bob, but not in the cues where Bob is wearing a hat, I would create an Alias Bob Hat, and any changes I made to Bob would track through the cues without updating the Alias Bob Hat and vice versa.
‘Additionally, as theatre shows make much more use of Control Groups (CGs – also known as VCAs) than traditional live programming, we provide a visual CG programming interface. This, along with the SD9T’s 12 CG channels, allows the engineer to maintain control of the constantly changing cast on stage, by quickly assigning and un-assigning CG members with reference to the cue list.’
Among the new tools, the Players function allows engineers to quickly deal with cast changes on stage – what was once a process of recalling the proper preset for each Alias is now simply a mater of selecting the actor performing that role. The show is then automatically updated with all the settings for that actor.
The new SD9T software builds on features onboard the SD9 Supercharged, which has a significant expansion in channel count, dynamic EQs, multiband compressors and matrix, plus the addition of DiGiTuBes, Reorder of Busses and Multichannel inputs (formerly only available on SD7).
Further features include an expanded aux panel, increased dynamic functions such as a duck option and expander for the gate, a de-esser and three types of knee for the compressor. There are also new FX types with multitap, and a ping-pong stereo delay. A ‘warmth’ button is provided on each channel for analogue emulation, and two types of EQ have been added (Classic and Precision).
Additional features include template sessions and Sets (previously only available on SD7T), which has been enhanced to allow for Set Spill. This allows the user to create Sets and, with a simple button press, change the console layout to display members of that Set.
The SD9B upgrade adds surround capabilities to the standard SD9 ‘live’ system, providing 48 stereo channels, allowing up to 5.1 busing, plus a full studio style monitor matrix, multiple mix minus buses and Backstop PFL functionality.
More: www.digico.org
