Touring Consoles
Large-Format Digital Consoles PART II
Part II of PALM technology’s focus on Live Consoles, lines-up some more noteworthy desks in the market
which exhibit striking capabilities and state-of-the-art technology. PART I which presented consoles from
manufacturers like HARMAN, SSL, AVID, DIGICO was featured in the Jan-Feb 2017 edition of the magazine. Those
of our readers who missed it can access it through the “product focus” section on palmtechnology.in
Yamaha Rivage PM10
Yamaha’s PM1D and PM5D digital mixers have been a mainstay of large scale live productions throughout the
world for more than a decade - be they touring live music, festivals, theatre, musicals, dance, municipal or
corporate events. Bringing yet greater levels of quality, flexibility, functionality and reliability to the
iconic PM name, the RIVAGE PM10 is a brand new flagship which again redefines the direction of the digital
audio mixing industry.
Ever since Yamaha’s first professional live sound console was released more than 40 years ago, the PM series
has been the fertile ground from which numerous significant sound reinforcement milestones have grown. Many
of those innovations have become standard tools that professionals depend on to this day. The RIVAGE PM10
launched a new generation of PM consoles that continues to evolve as new software and hardware are rolled
out. In terms of sound quality, operation, functionality, reliability, expandability, and more, the RIVAGE
PM10 is a thoroughly refined flagship that defines the direction for future generations. It is a worthy heir
to the PM name that brings true innovation to the developing live sound scene.
Main Features include:
• The new hybrid microphone preamps at the input stage of the PM10 help create a solid foundation of sound for
crisp clear sound. The hybrid mic preamp features the great sound of analogue thanks to its mechanical construction and
the parts picked to make it up, everything about the preamp has been reviewed to make sure the best sound is attained.
• Another vital factor contributing to the great sound of the hybrid microphone preamplifier is its digital stage.
The transformer circuitry and SILK processing incorporated in high-end analogue devices from Rupert Neve Designs, designed
by the legendary Rupert Neve himself, have been precisely modelled using original Yamaha VCM (Virtual Circuitry Modelling)
technology. These preamplifiers are available for use on all RIVAGE PM10 input channels.
• The PM10 has been designed with operability in mind, as with all Yamaha consoles. With the PM10 Yamaha have
worked to take their already well designed interface and extend its operability with new time saving and efficient
features. As with most Yamaha consoles, the PM10 features Yamaha’s industry standard select channel concept, providing
direct access to parameters of any channel via its select key. The PM10 also features a merged touch screen and fader
strip which allows for intuitive changes and editing on the fly as well as facilitating 2-man operation.
• Yamaha’s new console is fit for use in a number of solutions, whether it is for live sound in a venue or in
a house of worship. The new features make this a high end option that offers extremely clear sound and a high level of
flexibility and control. The PM10 is a fitting flagship model for Yamaha and a worthy addition to the PM range.
Tech Specifications:
Mixing Capacity: 44.1/48/88.2/96 kHz; 144 input channels, 72 Mix buses, 36 Matrix buses; Stereo buses A
and B (or Mono bus), Cue A/B, Monitor A/B
Input Channel: A/B, Gain Compensation, Digital Gain, HPF, LPF, 4-band PEQ, 2 Dynamics, Delay, 2 insert
points (x4 daisy-chain), Direct Out
Output Channel: HPF, LPF, 8-band PEQ, Dynamics, Delay (on channel and port), 2 insert points
(x4 daisy-chain)
Scene Memory: Number of scenes: 1000; Functions: Recall Safe, Focus Recall, Fade Time, Preview,
Overlay Filter, Isolate
DCA/Mute Group: 24 DCAs, 12 Mute Groups
Plug-ins: 384 plug-in slots (The maximum number of plug-ins used at a time varies depending on the
plug-in types); 45 types of plug-ins
GEQ/PEQ: 48 racks (96 for Flex15GEQ and 8-band PEQ); 31-band GEQ, Flex15GEQ, 8-band PEQ
Recording: 2-track USB recording (MP3 and WAV); Multitrack recording and Virtual Soundcheck via
Dante (option)
I/O Network (TWINLANe)
400 channels @ 44.1/48/88.2/96 kHz, 32-bit
Network latency: 11 samples at 44.1/48 kHz, 12 samples at 88.2/96 kHz
Topology: ring for network redundancy
Recommended cable: Neutrik opticalCON DUO multimode fiber (HY256-TL) or Neutrik opticalCON DUO singlemode
fiber (HY256-TL-SMF)
Midas PRO X-CC-IP
The MIDAS PRO Series family moves up a gear with the PRO X control centre and the industry-changing NEUTRON Audio System Engine. Featuring 168 simultaneous input channels and 99 time-aligned and phase-coherent mix buses, the PRO X sets a new performance benchmark in high-profile live sound applications and is a truly impressive digital control surface for the engineer whose very livelihood depends on both unparalleled functionality and reliability. Like all PRO Series consoles, the PRO X features managed latency and 40 bit floating point processing precision.
Main Features include:
• Live performance digital console control centre with up to 168 simultaneous inputs
• 99 time-aligned and phase-coherent mix buses
• HyperMAC and AES50 networking allows up to 288 inputs and 294 outputs @ 96 kHz Sample Rate
• HyperMAC router with 192 bidirectional channels over copper and optical fibre
• Provides dual redundant snake connection to the NEUTRON Audio System Engine
• Snake connections up to 500 m with optical fibre or 100 m with CAT5/5e cable
• 10 VCA (variable control association) and 8 POPulation groups
• Up to 36 assignable 1/3 octave KLARK TEKNIK DN370 graphic equalisers
• Up to 24 simultaneous internal multi-channel effects
• 29 MIDAS PRO motorised 100 mm faders
• 2 daylight viewable 15” full colour TFT display screens
• Fully interpolated touch sensitive controls
• Optional wireless remote control with MIDAS MIXTENDER App for iPad*
• Three bay auto-ranging universal switch-mode power supply with N+1 redundancy.
Tech Specifications:
Sampling rate: 96kHz
Latency delay: <2 ms (Input to Master output with no latency compensation)
Dynamic range: 110 dB, 22 Hz to 22 kHz
Maximum voltage gain: 80 dB, Inputs to Subgroups and Masters 86 dB, Inputs to Aux and Matrix
Crosstalk: -100 dB physically adjacent input channels
Fader/pan cut off: -100 dB
Frequency Response: 0 dB to -1.0 dB, 20 Hz to 20 kHz
Gain Error @ 1kHz: ±1.0 dB
Input CMRR: 0 dB gain: -80 dB; +40 dB gain: -90 dB
Distortion @ 0 dBu: 0 dB gain: 0.01%; +40 dB gain: 0.03%
Distortion @ +20 dBu: 0 dB gain: 0.03%; +40 dB gain: 0.03%
Noise Floor: 0 dB gain: -89 dBu, 22 Hz to 22 kHz (unweighted); +40 dB gain: -87 dBu, 22 Hz to 22 kHz (unweighted)
Dynamic Range: 0 dB gain: 110 dB, 22 Hz to 22 kHz (unweighted); +40 dB gain: 108 dB, 22 Hz to 22 kHz (unweighted)
Dimensions: 1365 mm wide x 940 mm deep x 434 mm high (53.7” x 37.0” x 17.1”)
Net weight: 120 kg (264 lbs)
Studer Vista 1 Black Edition
Vista 1 is the all-in-one compact, flexible mix system for live, broadcast and production.
Designed to pack everything you need within a single compact console, Vista 1 Black Edition combines an
industry-leading Studer control surface with advanced DSP, fully-configurable I/O and redundant power
supplies - all in one unit.
Vista 1’s powerful feature set and flexible I/O configurations mean it can handle the widest range of applications,
from OB and ENG vans, to small studios, to mobile productions where the console needs to be moved frequently.
Ready for easy integration with AoIP networks and expandable via Studer’s D21m system and the Compact Stage Boxes,
Vista 1 Black Edition is a cost-effective, future-proof console ready for anything that gets thrown its way...
Main Features include:
• 32 or 22 motorised faders, with Studer FaderGlow
• Up to 256 Inputs and Outputs
- Standard configuration (32 Mic/line In, 32 Line Out, 8 AES In & Out) can be customised
- Desk operator headphone
- USB jingle player socket
- Integral 64x64 optical MADI port
- Slots for additional D21m I/O cards (one double-width or two single-width cards), such as AoIP (AES67/Dante, Livewire), Dual-MADI, AES/EBU, ADAT, TDIF, CobraNet®, Aviom A-Net®, Dolby® E/Digital, SDI, etc.
• 96 DSP channels, including 5.1 surround channels
• Powerful integrated Lexicon FX
• Soundcraft Realtime Rack Plug-in engine
• True broadcast monitoring, talkback, red light control and 8 general-purpose control inputs/outputs (GPIO)
• Input level and gain reduction LED bargraph meter in every fader strip
• Optional TFT-Meter Bridge
• 6 high-resolution VFD master level meters
• Full mix-minus (n–x) system for live two way operations
• Vista data format compatibility for easy transfer of console snapshots between different Vista consoles
• Integrated jingle player for immediate playback of 8 different station identifier clips, background FX or other audio files from a jingle stick/USB memory device
• Studer Virtual Vista Online/offline editor
• Snapshot automation
• Outstanding Theatre CUE list automation
• Support for the Studer Vista Compact Remote Bay over Ethernet or even WLAN
• Harman HiQnet support for controlling other Harman devices
• Ember and Pro-Bel protocol support for use with broadcast/ newsroom automation systems
• Redundant PSU
• Studer’s RELINK input/output sharing system allows sharing inputs and outputs with other Studer Vista and OnAir consoles
• Support for the whole Studer stagebox range via a MADI link, such as the 4U Studer Compact Stagebox
• The system can be extended by using additional Studer D21m I/O frames accepting cards from the comprehensive D21m I/O system programme.
Allen & Heath GLD-112
GLD-112 is a larger version of the popular GLD-80 mixer, with an extra bank of 8 control strips, increasing the channel count to 28 fader strips in 4 layers.
GLD is a user-friendly, cost effective and scalable live digital mixing system, conceptually based on the hugely successful digital iLive series. Plug n’ play I/O expanders make it easy to build systems with up to 48 mic inputs, supported by a full suite of apps, software and personal monitoring solutions.
GLD-112 provides 48 input processing channels, 8 stereo FX returns fed by the FX emulations, 30 configurable buses, 20 mix processing channels, and DSP power to provide full processing without compromise.
Now in a new GLD Chrome Edition, with sleek new styling, Automatic Mic Mixing, new embedded plugin FX and new compressor models on all channels.
Main features include:
• Compact digital mixer with scalable, remote I/O
• Systems from 4 to 48 mics
• Easy to use, quick to access, analogue style interface
• dSNAKE Cat5 digital snake—up to 120m cable length
• 8.4 inch colour touchscreen for graphical view and setup
• 28 faders, 4 layers, 112 channel strips in a freely customizable layout
• 48 input channels into 30 assignable buses (Aux, Group, Matrix, Main, FX Send) into 20 mix outputs
• 8 stereo RackFX engines with dedicated ‘short’ returns with 4-band PEQ
• Full processing on all inputs including trim, polarity, HPF, insert, gate, 4-band PEQ, compressor and delay
• Full processing on all outputs including insert, PEQ, GEQ, compressor and delay
• Deep processing embedded plugins including GEQ and compressor models
• Automatic Mic Mixer with up to 44 microphone sources
• LR, None (monitors), LR+M (sum), LR+M (bus), LCR main mix modes
• USB stereo recording and playback
• 16 DCAs / mute groups
• Built-in Talkback, RTA and Signal Generator
• I/O module options for FOH/Monitor split, multitrack recording, link to iLive and more
• MIDI In/Out and Ethernet Network port
• Compatible with ME Personal Mixing System
• High end 1dB step recallable mic/line preamps
• User definable channel names and colours
• Engineer’s mono Wedge and stereo IEM strips
• Input, output and insert soft patchbays
• Quick copy, paste and reset of mixes and parameters
• Libraries, Scenes and Show memories with USB transfer
• Scene Filters, crossfades and automated recalls
• Get started quickly with Template Shows
• Password protectable user profiles
Lawo – mc36
Easy - versatile - reliable. The mc²36 is the German company’s first all-in-one console, designed for maximum ease-of-use. The compact size, in-built DSP and I/0 make the console equally perfect for permanent installations with limited space and rental companies’ transportation demands. The mc²36 is a universal console, providing a comprehensive feature set for broadcast, theater, house of worship, live and install applications. To make this possible, Lawo has optimized its features to provide benefits not only for one application, but for all. The one common factor is that everything is opt.
Main features include:
• Ready for the road: Only one flightcase is required for console, DSP core and I/0. ln addition to the German quality chassis and electronics, the mc² 36 can be ordered in a heavy-duty flightcase version ready for the road. But it’s not just the hardware factors that make the mc²36 a perfect choice for rental companies – features like saving and loading configurations and show files easily via USB sticks are especially valuable in the rental and touring business, where several consoles and users might be involved.
• Onboard I/0: The Lawo mc²36 features integrated input and output connectivity to meet for a broad range of broadcast and install applications, as well as FOH and monitoring. The 32 Lawo microphone preamps are identical with those found on Lawo’s renowned 941/55 microphone card for DALLIS systems, providing an extremely linear frequency response of only 0.03dB between 20Hz and 20kHz and an unbelievably low THD of 0.0006%.
• I/0 Overview: 32 Mic/Line inputs; 32 Line outputs; 8 digital AES3 inputs; 8 digital AES3 outputs; 8 GPIO; 1 MADI (SFP); 3 RAVENNA I AES67; 1 Headphone
• ln addition to the onboard inputs and outputs, a MADI tie-line connection and three RAVENNA/AES67 Audio-over-IP ports provide future-proof connectivity for up to 384 external inputs and outputs, resulting in a total capacity of 496 physical inputs and outputs. The mc²36 is fully prepared for intelligent networking with other mc²36/56/66 consoles. lt can also be operated in combination with Lawo Nova audio routers, giving instant access to thousands of audio channels. Lawo mc² consoles provide intelligent mechanisms, including user-right management to allow input sharing between several consoles.
• The Lawo mc²36 features a new, integrated DSP micro-core with an internal 512x512 port audio matrix. lt is super-compact and optimized for low power consumption using inaudible, low-spinning fans for cooling. This is especially important in environments such as concert halls, where fan noise is obtrusive.
Tech Specifications:
Control Panel: Frames with 16, 24 and 40 faders; Six banks each with 2 layers; 100 mm fader + 1 freely assignable rotary knob + channel display for each fader with sensetriggered pop-up displays for modules
TFT metering: mono, stereo or up to 7.1 including bus assignment, gain reduction for dynamics, AfV status, VCA assignment, mix-minus; GUI page output, e.g. metering, on an external monitor; Eight central user buttons.
Signal Processing:
• 40-bit floating point
• Up to 184 inputs with A/B input, up to 32 sub-groups, 32 aux sends, up to 32 track buses, up to 16 main sums
• Rapid switching of channel and bus to mono / stereo / surround
• Up to 24 surround channels, 128 VCA groups with metering, 256 GPC channels
• Surround formats: DTS / Dolby Digital 5.1, Dolby Pro Logic 4.0, DTS ES / Dolby EX 6.1, SDDS 7.1, DTS-HD 7.1, diverse panning characteristics, surround aux bus
• Two AFL: 1 surround 8-channel, 1 stereo
• Two PFL stereo
• Audio-follow-Video with 128 events, control via Remote MNOPL, Ember+, GPI or matrix connection, envelope up to 10s fade time
• Solo In Place
• Permanent input meter beside fader, adjustable INPUT, PF, AF, DIROUT meter point in channel display
• Loudness Metering according to EBU R128 and ATSC A/85, momentary or short term in every channel, integrated measurement on sum channels with display of integrated LUFS value in headline.
• Modules: INMIX with MS decoder, digital amp, 2-band fully parametric filter, 4-band fully parametric EQ, 2-band fully parametric side-chain filter, insert, delay up to 1800 ms – switchable units: meters, milliseconds, frames, 4 independent dynamic modules: expander, gate, compressor, limiter, image, meter, direct out
• AMBIT Upmix, available on every 5.1 channel, fully Downmix compatible
• Inline configuration with send / return switching — per channel or global
• Fully-equipped surround channel with coupling of all channel parameters and hyperpanning
• Dimensions: Height: 5RU / 220 mm / 8,7”; Width: 482,6 mm / 19