DiGiCo SD5: “Intelligence is power...”
Remember the D5 Live? Well, the SD5 is the modern-day incarnation of that console; think the D5 Live on steroids and you're getting close! Yes, it fits directly into the D5's shoes, but thanks to the inclusion of Stealth Digital Processing, floating-point Super FPGA technology, and a host of new features, it packs a far bigger punch.
Like the SD10, the SD5's 37 faders are laid out in three convenient banks of 12 with one master fader with the added benefit of three 15-inch full colour TFT touch screens for even quicker access and multi-user applications. In addition, there are two interactive dynamic metering displays (IDMs) as used in its big brother, the SD7.
The centrally located master screen has been incorporated into the worksurface meterbridge design to provide a lower profile meter bridge and allow for complete user feedback; this means the engineer never needs to move far from mix position: there is clear visibility of everyone on stage, and all control is less than an arm's length away.
To make life even easier, engineers can recall or save presets on the channel strip; and recall or save snapshots using the master screen or or dedicated switches on the console. In addition, special functions can be assigned and accessed instantly via the console's 40 Smart Key Macros (accessible via four layers of 10 RGB backlit keys) at the push of a button. It really is that simple.
The SD5 provides 124 processing channels at 48kHz/96kHz.
Standard channel processing, whether inputs or outputs, includes Channel Delay, Single and Multi Channel Presets, Dual insert points, Hi- and Lo-pass filters @ 24dB/octave, four-band parametric EQ (eight on the outputs) with band curve selection, Dual insert points, DiGiCo's DYN 1 (Compressor, De-esser or assignable Multi Channel Compressor) and DYN 2 (Gate, Compressor or Ducker).
The console also benefits from 24 Dynamic EQ processors, all of which can be assigned to any of the input or output channels. These powerful processors offer dynamic processing on each of the four standard parametric bands, plus there are also 24 assignable Multiband Compressors and 24 assignable DiGiTubes; and no matter how the console is set up, the user won't lose any resources, as all channels are equipped to provide the same high quality signal path and feature set.
The master section incorporates 32 gangable 32-band graphic EQs, 24 stereo effects (selectable from a palette of 33), and 24 control groups (VCAs); and using snapshots, engineers can now switch between complete configurations in any live environment easier than ever before, be it at rehearsals, during system setup, or even at a show.
In addition, we've included 56 configurable busses, all of which are assignable as mono/stereo groups or auxiliary busses; and in addition to these busses, for further configurability, we've provided a 24 x 24 output matrix, dual solo busses, and a stereo/LCR Master buss. Essentially, users have the equivalent of 87 busses of DSP at their disposal.
Unlike all other digital console manufacturers, you don't lose Aux or Group Busses when using the Matrix as they are in addition, including the Master buss.
The rear of the SD5 houses all of the I/O, and there's plenty: eight mic inputs, eight line inputs, eight mono AES I/O, three redundant MADI ports, and one Optocore loop.
This amounts to an incredible 1264 I/O connections on a single optic loop with one worksurface.
In addition, there is an optional DiGiCo SoundGrid module which can be fitted to both engines for full redundancy when linked to two external PC servers such as SoundGrids or DiGiGrids. This provides the user with instant access to 16 fully integrated low-latency Waves stereo Multi Racks, each with the ability to have up to eight plugins per rack. That's 128 I/O - and as you'd expect from DiGiCo, this is all additional I/O.
All Waves compatible plugins are pre-loaded, and as this is integral within the console, you have the added advantage of touch screen control; and all shapshots and session files are saved within the console.
The following options are available:
