DiGiCo Introduces New SD7 Quantum Flagship Digital Mixing Console at AES New York

Previously announced for presentation at the 145th Audio Engineering Society International Convention, DiGiCo's latest flagship digital mixing console is certainly one of the attention grabbers at the New York exhibition. The newly-shipping Quantum 7 engine be demoed on the DiGiCo stand, brings an unprecedented level of power and connectivity, by harnessing the latest developments in processor technology and system design, and using three FPGAs as opposed to one, which simply wasn't possible before. DiGiCo is also introducing the versatile 4REA4 system, a new 32-bit DAC, and other new products at the Jacob Javits Convention Center.
 
The highly anticipated SD7 Quantum engine is now shipping to SD7 owners around the globe. Developed with seventh generation Super FPGA devices that further increase audio processing power, Quantum 7 expands DiGiCo’s flagship SD7 to over 640 channels of processing in 96kHz operation (actually, a massive 688 processing paths at 96kHz) that can be connected in the outside world to approaching 3000 potential I/Os. The engine is also equipped with eight newly assignable MADI connections and two DMI slots (DiGiCo Multi-Channel Interface) for AoIP and other connectivity options from the complete family of DMI card options. There are other powerful enhancements, too, including Nodal Processing and True Solo.
 
Nodal Processing means that for the first time processing can be applied to any node on the auxiliary section of the console, allowing engineers to send unique processing on each Aux send from a single, or multiple channels. This level of creativity will allow engineers to tailor and deliver dedicated mixes that were simply not possible before Quantum 7. 
 
Coupled with Nodal Processing is the new True Solo system that allows the operator’s monitoring system to Solo almost any section of the console, and how that source is being processed and heard. This saves time and speeds up the process of managing the potentially daunting number of channels and busses available to the user.
 
Also shown on DiGiCo's stand is the new DiGiCo 4REA4 audio solution. Designed to expand DiGiCo’s live performance reach for multi-area venues and stages, the new 4REA4 combines a robust processing engine, generous number of connectivity options and powerful control software to deliver routing, processing and mix control via a network of local I/O boxes. The 4REA4 processing engine rack features four dedicated mix areas, or zones, each with its own stereo master output, CGs and allocated FX. With an available 128 input channels and 48 buss output processing strips, users can independently allocate processing to whichever area as required.
 
Managing the mixing and routing of each individual local performance area are a new range of premium designed hardware control panels (ACONTROL1, ACONTROL8) and external I/O units (A168 STAGE, A164 WALL) that interface with 4REA4 to ensure a premium 96kHz audio experience across the largest and most-demanding performance environments.
 
Following in the footsteps of the popular 32-bit “Ultimate Stadius” Microphone Pre-Amp, DiGiCo’s new digital-to-analog converter, the 32-bit “Ultimate Stadius” DAC Analog Output card, is also be on display at AES. It includes dedicated analog, ultra-low noise linear power supplies, lightning quick conversion time (104µs), and maximized performance operational amplifiers. Boasting a practically silent -100dBA noise spec, the DAC features a wide dynamic range of 122dBA for plenty of punch and increased audio depth. Highly transparent, the product is also equipped with “MUSE” acoustic series blocking capacitors as well as “capacitor damping” to remove unwanted vibration pickup. An improved metal XLR design offers “continuous circumferential ground contact,” and the product’s analog stage is fully shielded.
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