PRO9 Architects and Engineering Specification

PRO9: Audio Mixing System

The system shall comprise of robust steel, 19" rack mountable, modular units that can be interconnected via N+1 or dual redundant cables to provide a scalable audio signal network with signal processing and mixing capability. A central control surface shall be provided consisting of multiple modules housed in a robust steel chassis that can be located well away from the rest of the system and connected by dual redundant multi-channel digital fibre or copper "snake". The entire system shall be fault tolerant such that no single interconnecting cable fault can stop the system operating to its full capacity. All external interfacing, internal processing and system controls shall be modular such that loss of power to any single module only affects that module allowing the remainder of the system to operate normally. The operational status of all the system modules and interconnections shall be continuously monitored and reported at the control surface.

The system shall be configurable to meet all of its I/O, processing and control surface requirements within an easily portable, two flight case solution, that is fast to set up and only requires the interconnection of one digital audio cable (two for dual redundancy) and power to make it operational.

The system shall be expandable and capable of sourcing inputs and driving outputs from multiple locations so that for example all inputs can source their signal from a hard disk recorder for sound checking but switch over to microphone feeds for the main live show event.

The system shall be capable of mixing 80 primary input channels and 8 auxiliary input channels simultaneously to 35 main bus output channels, with equalisation every channel and dynamic processing on all outputs and primary input channels. 8 effects processors shall be included that can be inserted into any channel path with the ability to add additional external insert points to any of the channels, as desired.

The system shall have the option of a number of different system I/O boxes with either fixed or configurable I/O card options.

DL351: PRO9 Input/Output Unit

The primary input/output unit shall be a 7U rack box with N+1 redundant universal mains power supplies and connections and that interfaces 64 bi-directional system signals to external equipment via integral sub modules that can be loaded in optional configurations to conform to a variety of input and output requirements including:

Sub module with balanced line input and output on 16 gold plated TRS Jacks

Sub module with AES3 input and output on 8 gold plated XLRs

Sub module with 8 way balanced line outputs on gold plated XLRs

Sub module with 8 way balanced line or mic inputs on gold plated XLRs

Sub module with 8 balanced mic or line inputs, 8 balanced line outputs on female 25 way D Type and remote status indication for 48V and output mute available on male 25 way D Type.

N+1 bi-directional digital AES50 protocol system connections shall be provided on dual redundant XLR Ethernet connectors.

MIDI and 8 GPIO inputs and output shall be provided.

Control of gain and all preamplifier functions on the 8 way balanced XLR mic/line inputs shall be available remotely from the system control surface.

The XLR mic/line preamplifiers shall meet or exceed the following specifications:

Input Impedance	10K
Analogue Gain Trim	-5dB to 40dB
Digital Console Gain Trim (additional to above)	-40dB to 20dB
Total Gain Range	-45dB to 60dB
Maximum Input Signal Level	+26dBu
100Hz CMRR at 0dB Analogue Gain	80dB
1kHz CMRR at 0dB Analogue Gain	80dB
100Hz CMRR at 40dB Analogue Gain	90dB
1kHz CMRR at 40dB Analogue Gain	90dB
150R EIN at 0dB gain measured after A/D and D/A conversion	-89dBu
150R EIN at 40dB gain measured after A/D and D/A conversion	-127dBu
Crosstalk at 1kHz on physically adjacent channels	-100dB
Crosstalk at 10kHz on physically adjacent channels	-100dB
Distortion at 1kHz with 0dBu gain and 0dB output	0.01%
Distortion at 1kHz with 40dBu gain and 0dB output	0.03%
Distortion at 10kHz with 0dBu gain and 0dB output	0.01%
Distortion at 10kHz with 40dBu gain and 0dB output	0.031%
Freq Response ref 1K at digital output	20 - 20kHz +0 to -0.5dB
The D Type connected mic/line preamplifiers shall meet or exceed the following specifications:
Input Impedance	10K
Analogue Gain Trim	-2.5dB to 45dB
Digital Console Gain Trim (additional to above)	-40dB to 20dB
Total Gain Range	-42.5dB to 65dB
Maximum Input Signal Level	+24dBu
100Hz CMRR at 0dB Analogue Gain	80dB
1kHz CMRR at 40dB Analogue Gain	90dB
150R EIN at 0dB gain measured after A/D and D/A conversion	-89dBu
150R EIN at 40dB gain measured after A/D and D/A conversion	-127dBu
Crosstalk at 1kHz on physically adjacent channels	-100dB
Crosstalk at 10kHz on physically adjacent channels	-100dB
Distortion at 1kHz with 0dBu gain and 0dB output	0.01%
Distortion at 1kHz with 40dBu gain and 0dB output	0.03%
Distortion at 10kHz with 0dBu gain and 0dB output	0.01%
Distortion at 10kHz with 40dBu gain and 0dB output	0.031%
Freq Response ref 1K at digital output	20 - 20kHz +0 to -0.5dB
The line preamplifiers shall meet or exceed the following specifications:
Input Impedance	10K
Maximum Input Signal Level	+21dBu
100Hz CMRR at 0dB Analogue Gain	60dB
1kHz CMRR at 0dB Analogue Gain	60dB
150R EIN at 0dB gain measured after A/D and D/A conversion	-89dBu
Crosstalk at 1kHz on physically adjacent channels	-100dB
Crosstalk at 10kHz on physically adjacent channels	-100dB
Distortion at 1kHz with 0dBu gain and 0dB output	0.01%
Distortion at 10kHz with 0dBu gain and 0dB output	0.01%
Freq Response ref 1K at digital output	20 - 20kHz +0 to -0.5dB
The line outputs shall meet or exceed the following specifications:
Output Impedance	50R
Max Output Level	+21dBu
Crosstalk at 1kHz on physically adjacent channels	-100dB
Crosstalk at 10kHz on physically adjacent channels	-100dB
Distortion at 1kHz with 0dBu gain and 0dB output	0.01%
Distortion at 10kHz with 0dBu gain and 0dB output	0.01%
Freq Response ref 1K at digital input	20 - 20kHz +0 to -0.5dB
The AES3 sub module shall meet or exceed the following specifications:
Protocol	AES3
Channel Count	4 x stereo in and out
Sample Rate	48 or 96 or auto tracking to input
Word Length	16, 20 or 24 bit
The input/output unit system shall meet or exceed the following specifications:
Digital Output Protocol (dual redundant)	AES50
Digital Input Protocol (dual redundant)	AES50
Remote Control Protocol	Embedded in AES50
Channel Count	64
Sample Rate	96kHz
Word Length	24 bit
MIDI Connections	in, out through on 5 pin DIN
GPIO in	opto-isolated 25pin D Type
GPIO out	opto-isolated 25pin D Type
Dimensions	7U x 410mm Weight 20kg

DL451: PRO9 Input/Output Unit

The expansion input/output unit shall be a 3U rack box with universal mains power supply and that interfaces 24 bi-directional system signals to external equipment via integral sub modules that can be loaded in optional configurations to conform to a variety of input and output requirements including:

Sub module with balanced line input and output on 16 gold plated TRS Jacks

Sub module with AES3 input and output on 8 gold plated XLRs

Sub module with 8 way balanced line outputs on gold plated XLRs

Sub module with 8 way balanced line or mic inputs on gold plated XLRs

Sub module with 8 balanced mic or line inputs, 8 balanced line outputs on female 25 way D Type and remote status indication for 48V and output mute available on male 25 way D Type.

Bi-directional digital AES50 protocol system connections shall be provided on dual redundant XLR Ethernet connectors.

MIDI and 8 GPIO inputs and output shall be provided.

Control of gain and all preamplifier functions on the 8 way balanced XLR mic/line inputs shall be available remotely from an XL8 control surface.

The XLR mic/line preamplifiers shall meet or exceed the following specifications:

 

Input Impedance	10K
Analogue Gain Trim	-5dB to 40dB
Digital Console Gain Trim (additional to above)	-40dB to 20dB
Total Gain Range	-45dB to 60dB
Maximum Input Signal Level	+26dBu
100Hz CMRR at 0dB Analogue Gain	80dB
1kHz CMRR at 0dB Analogue Gain	80dB
100Hz CMRR at 40dB Analogue Gain	90dB
1kHz CMRR at 40dB Analogue Gain	90dB
150R EIN at 0dB gain measured after A/D and D/A conversion	-89dBu
150R EIN at 40dB gain measured after A/D and D/A conversion	-127dBu
Crosstalk at 1kHz on physically adjacent channels	-100dB
Crosstalk at 10kHz on physically adjacent channels	-100dB
Distortion at 1kHz with 0dBu gain and 0dB output	0.01%
Distortion at 1kHz with 40dBu gain and 0dB output	0.03%
Distortion at 10kHz with 0dBu gain and 0dB output	0.01%
Distortion at 10kHz with 40dBu gain and 0dB output	0.031%
Freq Response ref 1K at digital output	20 - 20kHz +0 to -0.5dB
The D Type connected mic/line preamplifiers shall meet or exceed the following specifications:
Input Impedance	10K
Analogue Gain Trim	-2.5dB to 45dB
Digital Console Gain Trim (additional to above)	-40dB to 20dB
Total Gain Range	-42.5dB to 65dB
Maximum Input Signal Level	+24dBu
100Hz CMRR at 0dB Analogue Gain	80dB
1kHz CMRR at 40dB Analogue Gain	90dB
150R EIN at 0dB gain measured after A/D and D/A conversion	-89dBu
150R EIN at 40dB gain measured after A/D and D/A conversion	-127dBu
Crosstalk at 1kHz on physically adjacent channels	-100dB
Crosstalk at 10kHz on physically adjacent channels	-100dB
Distortion at 1kHz with 0dBu gain and 0dB output	0.01%
Distortion at 1kHz with 40dBu gain and 0dB output	0.03%
Distortion at 10kHz with 0dBu gain and 0dB output	0.01%
Distortion at 10kHz with 40dBu gain and 0dB output	0.031%
Freq Response ref 1K at digital output	20 - 20kHz +0 to -0.5dB
The line preamplifiers shall meet or exceed the following specifications:
Input Impedance	10K
Maximum Input Signal Level	+21dBu
100Hz CMRR at 0dB Analogue Gain	60dB
1kHz CMRR at 0dB Analogue Gain	60dB
150R EIN at 0dB gain measured after A/D and D/A conversion	-89dBu
Crosstalk at 1kHz on physically adjacent channels	-100dB
Crosstalk at 10kHz on physically adjacent channels	-100dB
Distortion at 1kHz with 0dBu gain and 0dB output	0.01%
Distortion at 10kHz with 0dBu gain and 0dB output	0.01%
Freq Response ref 1K at digital output	20 - 20kHz +0 to -0.5dB
The line outputs shall meet or exceed the following specifications:
Output Impedance	50R
Max Output Level	+21dBu
Crosstalk at 1kHz on physically adjacent channels	-100dB
Crosstalk at 10kHz on physically adjacent channels	-100dB
Distortion at 1kHz with 0dBu gain and 0dB output	0.01%
Distortion at 10kHz with 0dBu gain and 0dB output	0.01%
Freq Response ref 1K at digital input	20 - 20kHz +0 to -0.5dB
The AES3 sub module shall meet or exceed the following specifications:
Protocol	AES3
Channel Count	4 x stereo in and out
Sample Rate	48 or 96 or auto tracking to input
Word Length	16, 20 or 24 bit
The input/output unit system shall meet or exceed the following specifications:
Digital Output Protocol (dual redundant)	AES50
Digital Input Protocol (dual redundant)	AES50
Remote Control Protocol	Embedded in AES50
Channel Count	24
Sample Rate	96kHz
Word Length	24 bit
MIDI Connections	in, out through on 5 pin DIN
GPIO in	opto-isolated 25pin D Type
GPIO out	opto-isolated 25pin D Type
Dimensions	3U x 410mm Weight 12.6kg

DL251: Optional PRO9 Input/Output Unit

The primary input/output unit shall be a 5U rack box with dual redundant universal mains power supplies and connections and that interfaces 48 bi-directional system signals to external equipment via a fixed configuration of:

16 way balanced line outputs on gold plated XLRs

48 way balanced line or mic inputs on gold plated XLRs

N+1 bi-directional digital AES50 protocol system connections shall be provided on dual redundant XLR Ethernet connectors.

MIDI inputs and output shall be provided.

Control of gain and all preamplifier functions on the 8 way balanced XLR mic/line inputs shall be available remotely from the system control surface.

The XLR mic/line preamplifiers shall meet or exceed the following specifications:

The mic/line preamplifiers shall meet or exceed the following specifications:

 

Input Impedance	10K
Analogue Gain Trim	-2.5dB to 45dB
Digital Console Gain Trim (additional to above)	-40dB to 20dB
Total Gain Range	-42.5dB to 65dB
Maximum Input Signal Level	+24dBu
100Hz CMRR at 0dB Analogue Gain	60dB
1kHz CMRR at 0dB Analogue Gain	60dB
100Hz CMRR at 40dB Analogue Gain	90dB
1kHz CMRR at 40dB Analogue Gain	90dB
150R EIN at 0dB gain measured after A/D and D/A conversion	-86dBu
150R EIN at 40dB gain measured after A/D and D/A conversion	-125dBu
Crosstalk at 1kHz on physically adjacent channels	-100dB
Crosstalk at 10kHz on physically adjacent channels	-100dB
Distortion at 1kHz with 0dBu gain and 0dB output	0.01%
Distortion at 1kHz with 40dBu gain and 0dB output	0.03%
Distortion at 10kHz with 0dBu gain and 0dB output	0.01%
Distortion at 10kHz with 40dBu gain and 0dB output	0.031%
Freq Response ref 1K at digital output	20 - 20kHz +0 to -0.5dB
The line outputs shall meet or exceed the following specifications:
Output Impedance	50R
Max Output Level	+21dBu
Crosstalk at 1kHz on physically adjacent channels	-100dB
Crosstalk at 10kHz on physically adjacent channels	-100dB
Distortion at 1kHz with 0dBu gain and 0dB output	0.01%
Distortion at 10kHz with 0dBu gain and 0dB output	0.01%
Freq Response ref 1K at digital input	20 - 20kHz +0 to -0.5dB
Digital Output Protocol (dual redundant)	AES50
Digital Input Protocol (dual redundant)	AES50
Remote Control Protocol	Embedded in AES50
Channel Count	48
Sample Rate	96kHz
Word Length	24 bit
MIDI Connections	in, out through on 5 pin DIN
Dimensions	5U x 410mm Weight 10kg

DL431: Optional PRO9 Stage Mic Splitter Unit

The optional stage mic splitter unit shall be a 6U rack box with 72 mic preamplifiers installed on 6 modular cards and with dual redundant universal mains power supplies and power connections.

24 gold plated XLR balanced inputs shall be provided on each splitter unit that are suitable for microphone or line signals. Each input shall feed three independent microphone preamplifiers (A, B, and C).

The A and B preamplifiers shall be suitable for connection to house and monitor digital systems, plus analogue mixing consoles and other touring consoles.

Control and status of gain and all A and B preamplifier functions shall be available locally from the front panel and/or remotely from an XL8 control surface. 48V status shall also be indicated at the XLR connector.

Digital AES50 protocol outputs shall be provided for both A and B preamplifiers, on dual redundant XLR Ethernet connectors such that it is possible to connect to independent house and monitor mixing systems.

Balanced analogue outputs shall be provided for both A and B preamplifiers, on gold plated XLRs, such that it is possible to connect to independent house and monitor analogue mixing consoles, and also.

24 x 7 led meters shall be provided that monitor the levels within the A or B preamplifiers.

The C preamplifiers shall have fixed gain with balanced analogue outputs, on gold plated XLRs that also provide galvanic isolation suitable for outside broadcast connection.

The microphone preamplifiers shall meet or exceed the following specifications:

 

Input Impedance	5K
Analogue Gain Trim	-2.5dB to 45dB
Digital Console Gain Trim (additional to above)	-40dB to 20dB
Total Gain Range	-42.5dB to 65dB
Maximum Input Signal Level	+24dBu
100Hz CMRR at 0dB Analogue Gain	80dB
1kHz CMRR at 0dB Analogue Gain	80dB
100Hz CMRR at 40dB Analogue Gain	90dB
1kHz CMRR at 40dB Analogue Gain	90dB
150R EIN at 0dB gain measured at analogue outputs A & B	-98dBu
150R EIN at 40dB gain measured at analogue outputs A & B	-128dBu
150R EIN at 0dB gain measured after A/D and D/A conversion	-89dB
150R EIN at 40dB gain measured after A/D and D/A conversion	-127dB
150R EIN at -6dB gain on transformer isolated output C	-117dBu
Crosstalk at 1kHz on physically adjacent channels	-100dB
Crosstalk at 10kHz on physically adjacent channels	-100dB
Distortion at 1kHz with 0dBu gain and 0dB output	0.01%
Distortion at 1kHz with 40dBu gain and 0dB output	0.03%
Distortion at 10kHz with 0dBu gain and 0dB output	0.01%
Distortion at 10kHz with 40dBu gain and 0dB output	0.031%
Freq Response ref 1K at A & B analogue outputs	20 - 20kHz +0 to -0.5dB
Freq Response ref 1K at A & B digital outputs	20 - 20kHz +0 to -0.5dB
High Pass Filter -3dB Cut Off Frequency	30Hz
High Pass Filter Slope	12dB/oct
Analogue A & B Output Impedance	150R
Max Output Level at Analogue A & B Outputs	+24dBu
Isolated C Output Impedance	75R
Max Output Level at Isolated C Output	+21dBu
Headphone Output Impedance	10R
Max Headphone Output Level	750mW
Digital output protocol (dual redundant)	AES50
Remote control protocol	Embedded in AES50
Channel Count	24
Sample Rate	96kHz
Word Length	24 bit
Dimensions	6U x 410mm Weight 15.75kg

DL371: PRO9 Processing and Router Unit

The system shall include the ability to site its components at multiple locations with multi-channel digital signal interconnections providing all audio routing between them.

The system shall incorporate two digital routers at either end of a 192 channel bi-directional digital audio cable systems that can run up to 100 meters on CAT-5E cable or 500 meters on fibre optic cable.

For local distribution the system shall use multiple CAT-5E cables to carry 24 channels of AES50 protocol digital audio bi-directionally over cable up to 100 meters long.

The processing and router unit shall form a 192 channel bi-directional routing matrix to and from, it's typically stage location, the 192 channel long haul digital audio connection, and 96 other potential channels located at the control surface.

The processing and router unit shall be formed as sub modular 7U 19" rack box with N+1 redundant universal mains power supplies and connections. The processor modules shall be connected to an integral router with, dual or N+1, redundant connectivity to the rest of the system. The control surface shall physically contain another router that interfaced to the processor router. The processor sub modules shall be capable of operation in N+1 mode with a hot spare always available.

The processing and router unit shall meet or exceed the following specifications:

 

Digital Audio Protocol (N+1 redundant)	AES50
Input/Output & Split Unit Control Protocol	Embedded in AES50
Sample Rate	96kHz
Word Length	24 bit
Internal Maths Word Length	32 bit floating point
Long Haul "snake"	HyperMac Fibre or CAT-5E
Sync	AES3 in & out plus 75R word clock In & out
External Data Transition Tunnel	2 x Ethernet
Dimensions	7U x 410mm Weight 20kg

The available audio processing shall include:

Primary Input Channel Functions:

 

Input Channel Hi Pass	10Hz to 400Hz swept slope selectable 12dB/Oct or 24dB/Oct
Input Channel Lo Pass	2kHz to 20kHz swept slope selectable 6dB/Oct or 12dB/Oct
Input Channel Treble	Parametric Operation Frequency 1kHz to 25kHz swept Gain +16dB to –16dB BW 0.1 Oct to 3 Oct
	Shelf Operation Frequency 1kHz to 25kHz swept Gain +16dB to –16dB Soft, Classic or Bright (minimum harmonic disruption) curves
Input Channel Hi Mid	Parametric Operation Frequency 320Hz to 8kHz swept Gain +16dB to –16dB BW 0.1 Oct to 3 Oct
Input Channel Lo Mid	Parametric Operation Frequency 80Hz to 2kHz swept Gain +16dB to –16dB BW 0.1 Oct to 3 Oct
Input Channel Bass	Parametric Operation Frequency 16Hz to 400Hz swept Gain +16dB to –16dB BW 0.1 Oct to 3 Oct
	Shelf Operation Frequency 16Hz to 400Hz swept Gain +16dB to –16dB Warm, Classic or Deep (minimum harmonic disruption) curves
Input Channel Compressor	Peak, Linear, RMS, Vintage modes Thresh -50dBu to +20dBu Attack 200uS to 20mS Release 50mS to 3 Sec Ratio 25:1 to 1:1 Knee 4dB, 12dB or 40dB Gain 0dB to +24dB
	Side chain source selectable + filter Frequency 50Hz to 15kHz swept Bandwidth 1/3, 1 or 2 Oct
Input Channel Gate	Peak mode Thresh -50dBu to +20dBu Attack 10uS to 20mS Hold 5mS to 2 Sec Release 2mS to 2 Sec Range 100dB to 0dB
	Side chain source selectable + filter Frequency 50Hz to 15kHz swept Bandwidth 1/3, 1 or 2 Oct
Auxiliary Input Channel Functions:
Aux Channel Band 6	Parametric Operation Frequency 16Hz to 25kHz swept Gain +16dB to –16dB BW 0.1 Oct to 3 Oct
	Lo Pass Operation Frequency 16Hz to 25kHz swept Slope 6dB/Oct or 12dB/Oct
	Shelf Operation Frequency 16Hz to 25kHz swept Gain +16dB to –16dB Mode soft curve
Aux Channel bands 3,4,5	Parametric Operation Frequency 16Hz to 25kHz swept Gain +16dB to –16dB BW 0.1 Oct to 3 Oct
Aux Channel Band 2	Parametric Operation Frequency 16Hz to 25kHz swept Gain +16dB to –16dB BW 0.1 Oct to 3 Oct
	Hi Pass Operation Frequency 16Hz to 25kHz swept Slope 24dB/Oct
Aux Channel Band 1	Parametric Operation Frequency 16Hz to 25kHz swept Gain +16dB to –16dB. BW 0.1 Oct to 3 Oct
	Hi Pass Operation. Frequency 16Hz to 25kHz swept Slope 6dB/Oct or 12dB/Oct.
	Shelf Operation Frequency 16Hz to 25kHz swept Gain +16dB to –16dB Mode soft curve
Output Channel Functions:
Output Channel Band 6	Parametric Operation Frequency 16Hz to 25kHz swept Gain +16dB to –16dB BW 0.1 Oct to 3 Oct
	Lo Pass Operation Frequency 16Hz to 25kHz swept Slope 6dB/Oct or 12dB/Oct
	Shelf Operation Frequency 16Hz to 25kHz swept Gain +16dB to –16dB Mode soft curve
Output Channel bands 3,4,5	Parametric Operation Frequency 16Hz to 25kHz swept Gain +16dB to –16dB BW 0.1 Oct to 3 Oct
Output Channel Band 2	Parametric Operation Frequency 16Hz to 25kHz swept Gain +16dB to –16dB BW 0.1 Oct to 3 Oct
	Hi Pass Operation Frequency 16Hz to 25kHz swept Slope 24dB/Oct
Output Channel Band 1	Parametric Operation Frequency 16Hz to 25kHz swept Gain +16dB to –16dB. BW 0.1 Oct to 3 Oct
	Hi Pass Operation. Frequency 16Hz to 25kHz swept Slope 6dB/Oct or 12dB/Oct.
	Shelf Operation Frequency 16Hz to 25kHz swept Gain +16dB to –16dB Mode soft curve
Output Channel GEQ	8 available in place of PEQ (above) 31 Bands. 1/3 Oct. Proportional Q Lo Pass Frequency 2kHz to 20kHz swept Slope 6dB/Oct or 12dB/Oct Hi Pass Frequency 20Hz to 500Hz swept Slope 6dB/Oct or 12dB/Oct
Output Channel Dynamic	Pk, Linear, RMS, Vintage, Shimmer modes Thresh -50dBu to +20dBu Attack 200uS to 20mS Release 50mS to 3 Sec Ratio 25:1 to 1:1 Knee 4dB, 12dB or 40dB Gain 0dB to +24dB
	Side chain source selectable + filter Frequency 50Hz to 15kHz swept Bandwidth 1/3, 1 or 2 Oct
Effects Channel Functions:-
Stereo Effects Channel	8 available configurable as Stereo or mono in, stereo out Modulated delay effects Complex delay, reverbs Advanced dynamics RTA and advanced measurements
Effects Channel GEQ	32 available in place of effects (above) 31 Bands. 1/3 Oct. Proportional Q Lo Pass Frequency 2kHz to 20kHz swept Slope 6dB/Oct or 12dB/Oct Hi Pass Frequency 20Hz to 500Hz swept Slope 6dB/Oct or 12dB/Oct

PRO9 Control Surface:

The system shall include a control surface that can monitor and operate all functions within the system and also provide keyboard, video, mouse connectivity to monitor and operate any computer based external systems.

The control surface shall be 1300mm x 1000mm x 400mm and constructed with a robust steel chassis containing multiple bays that can operate independently or as a whole with individual universal mains power supplies.

The control surface shall be clearly split into 3 main control areas presented in a traditional analogue centre masters format and providing control for multiple input channels, creative mixing and multiple outputs with 2 high resolution 12 " daylight visible colour VGA displays.

The control surface shall adhere to the following ergonomic rules:

Surface navigation, at channel paging level, through to individual control cluster sub sections, shall be clear, obvious and fast with navigational visual feedback presented so that it suggests movement side to side, or up and down analogous to analogue console operation.

Control cluster sub sections shall be instantly recognisable from their visual form and colour so that operators are not reliant on reading text labels. Their relative position shall be similar to analogue norms and imply signal flow where appropriate.

Similar sub section types shall have consistent layout across the control surface making them instantly recognisable.

Visual status of all controls shall be provided by motorised controls and/or high-resolution screens with advanced graphic quantization techniques.

All major signal paths shall have comprehensive metering easily viewable and available simultaneously.

All major signal paths shall have audio status information easily viewable and available simultaneously.

Large numbers of 100mm faders shall be accessible simultaneously for mixing.

Mute and Solo functions must be available with all faders.

Controls must not have dual audio parameter functions.

Use of stepped control status feedback (such as LED rings or screens with individual pixels visible) is not allowed.

All channel paths shall have local screen based or physical electronic scribble strips with user definable background colour.

6 population groups, with electronic scribble strips as defined above, shall be provided that, when activated, can instantly recall to the control surface a sub set of inputs that have been previously been loaded into the group.

10 VCA master faders shall be provided that operate on user defined selections of input channel fades like traditional analogue consoles and can also be used to populate the control surface effectively providing another 12 population groups that operate as defined above.

A KVM switcher shall be provided so that up to 3 external computer software systems can be controlled from the control surface.

The control surface shall incorporate digital routers for connection to the main system routers located at the other end of a 192 channel bi-directional digital audio cable system that can run up to 100 meters on CAT-5E cable or 500 meters on fibre optic cable.

For local audio distribution the control system shall use multiple CAT-5E cables to carry 24 channels of AES50 protocol digital audio bi-directionally over cable up to 100 meters long.

The control surface shall provide 24 integral bi-directional system interfaces 24 signals to external equipment via sub modules that can be loaded in optional configurations to conform to a variety of input and output requirements including:

Sub module with balanced line input and output on 16 gold plated TRS Jacks
Sub module with AES3 input and output on 8 gold plated XLRs
Sub module with 8 way balanced line outputs on gold plated XLRs
Sub module with 8 way balanced line or mic inputs on gold plated XLRs
Sub module with 8 balanced mic or line inputs, 8 balanced line outputs on female 25 way D Type and remote status indication for 48V and output mute available on male 25 way D Type.

The XLR mic/line preamplifiers shall meet or exceed the following specifications:

 

Input Impedance	10K
Analogue Gain Trim	-5dB to 40dB
Digital Console Gain Trim (additional to above)	-40dB to 20dB
Total Gain Range	-45dB to 60dB
Maximum Input Signal Level	+26dBu
100Hz CMRR at 0dB Analogue Gain	80dB
1kHz CMRR at 0dB Analogue Gain	80dB
100Hz CMRR at 40dB Analogue Gain	90dB
1kHz CMRR at 40dB Analogue Gain	90dB
150R EIN at 0dB gain measured after A/D and D/A conversion	-89dBu
150R EIN at 40dB gain measured after A/D and D/A conversion	-127dBu
Crosstalk at 1kHz on physically adjacent channels	-100dB
Crosstalk at 10kHz on physically adjacent channels	-100dB
Distortion at 1kHz with 0dBu gain and 0dB output	0.01%
Distortion at 1kHz with 40dBu gain and 0dB output	0.03%
Distortion at 10kHz with 0dBu gain and 0dB output	0.01%
Distortion at 10kHz with 40dBu gain and 0dB output	0.031%
Freq Response ref 1K at digital output	20 - 20kHz +0 to -0.5dB
The D Type connected mic/line preamplifiers shall meet or exceed the following specifications:
Input Impedance	10K
Analogue Gain Trim	-2.5dB to 45dB
Digital Console Gain Trim (additional to above)	-40dB to 20dB
Total Gain Range	-42.5dB to 65dB
Maximum Input Signal Level	+24dBu
100Hz CMRR at 0dB Analogue Gain	80dB
1kHz CMRR at 0dB Analogue Gain	80dB
100Hz CMRR at 40dB Analogue Gain	90dB
1kHz CMRR at 40dB Analogue Gain	90dB
150R EIN at 0dB gain measured after A/D and D/A conversion	-89dBu
150R EIN at 40dB gain measured after A/D and D/A conversion	-127dBu
Crosstalk at 1kHz on physically adjacent channels	-100dB
Crosstalk at 10kHz on physically adjacent channels	-100dB
Distortion at 1kHz with 0dBu gain and 0dB output	0.01%
Distortion at 1kHz with 40dBu gain and 0dB output	0.03%
Distortion at 10kHz with 0dBu gain and 0dB output	0.01%
Distortion at 10kHz with 40dBu gain and 0dB output	0.031%
Freq Response ref 1K at digital output	20 - 20kHz +0 to -0.5dB
The line preamplifiers shall meet or exceed the following specifications:
Input Impedance	10K
Maximum Input Signal Level	+21dBu
100Hz CMRR at 0dB Analogue Gain	60dB
1kHz CMRR at 0dB Analogue Gain	60dB
150R EIN at 0dB gain measured after A/D and D/A conversion	-9dBu
Crosstalk at 1kHz on physically adjacent channels	-100dB
Crosstalk at 10kHz on physically adjacent channels	-100dB
Distortion at 1kHz with 0dBu gain and 0dB output	0.01%
Distortion at 10kHz with 0dBu gain and 0dB output	0.01%
Freq Response ref 1K at digital output	20 - 20kHz +0 to -0.5dB
The line outputs shall meet or exceed the following specifications:
Output Impedance	50R
Max Output Level	+21dBu
Crosstalk at 1kHz on physically adjacent channels	-100dB
Crosstalk at 10kHz on physically adjacent channels	-100dB
Distortion at 1kHz with 0dBu gain and 0dB output	0.01%
Distortion at 10kHz with 0dBu gain and 0dB output	0.01%
Freq Response ref 1K at digital input	20 - 20kHz +0 to -0.5dB
The AES3 sub module shall meet or exceed the following specifications:
Protocol	AES3
Channel Count	4 x stereo in and out
Sample Rate	48 or 96 or auto tracking to input
Word Length	16, 20 or 24 bit
The control surface shall meet or exceed the following specifications:
Digital Audio Protocol	AES50
Input/Output & Split Unit Control Protocol	Embedded in AES50
Sample Rate	96kHz
Word Length	24 bit
Long Haul "snake"	HyperMac Fibre or CAT-5E
Sync	AES3 in & out plus 75R word clock in & out
External Data Transition Tunnel	Ethernet
Weight	97kg

Automation:

The system shall include the ability to store and recall all audio control setting as "scenes" that can be recalled individually or in a defined sequence. The time taken to recall all control settings within a scene shall be less than 25mS (excluding extended cross fade times).

All scenes shall be numbered and have the ability to be named and present the system operator with text prompts or notes as a scrolling list of scenes.

The extent of the data stored in each scene and the extent of the controls recalled by each scene shall be selectable by the user and defined as store and recall "scope" tables per scene such that some areas of the console can be operated manually without automation for some periods during a show.

The number of scenes available shall be in excess of 1000.

Show wide hardware "safe" switches shall be provided to disconnect channels or parts of channels from automation control in addition to and overriding scope settings.

The Automation shall have the capability to send MIDI commands and GPIO signals to/from external devices via connections located in the Input/Output units. External selection of the next scene in a scene list shall also be possible.

Copy and paste facilities shall be provided that allow scenes to be copied, edited and inserted within a scene list and also provides a means to copy channel control settings, in part or as a whole, to other channels.