DiGiCo Reveals Quantum852 Flagship Large-Format Live Audio Production Mixing Console

DiGiCo announced the launch of its next generation of large-format live audio production mixing consoles, designed from the ground up. Familiar, yet different, and with improved audio quality via enhanced algorithms, the new DiGiCo Quantum852 delivers a massive leap forward in processing power, it features new 1000-nit LCD screens for full daylight operation and a newly designed worksurface. And true to the DiGiCo ethos, the Quantum852 has been designed not just for now, but for the future. A pioneer in digital mixing consoles, DiGiCo is a UK-based manufacturer of some of the world’s most popular, successful and powerful mixing consoles for the live, theater, broadcast and postproduction industries. The launch of a new large-format Quantum model is something that the whole live audio and touring community will be watching closely given how these systems are increasingly at the heart of all major productions.

The new flagship in the DiGiCo family is big on power, but with an eco-friendly heart. That explains the reason for the green details, reinforcing the eco credentials of the Quantum852. Its lightweight alloy construction reduces weight, which in turn helps mitigate its environmental impact during transportation. It has a reduced operating power, thermal cooling fans along with convection cooling, and temperature-dependent cooling. Further reducing Quantum852’s environmental footprint is the inclusion of sustainable and recyclable materials.

The technical specifications for the Quantum852 are equally impressive. Featuring fully redundant processing, each engine is powered by five of the latest seventh-generation FPGAs and next-generation SHARC DSP processors. Quantum852’s input count increases to 384 mono channels, with 192 Aux / Sub-Group busses, plus the familiar LR / LCR / 5.1 Master busses. It comes with a 64 x 64 Processing Matrix, 36 Control Groups, two Solo busses and 64 FX Rack slots. There are 48 Graphic EQs, 384 Nodal Processors, 128 Mustard Processors and 32 Spice Racks (you need to follow closely the DiGiCo product range to understand what those are - but enough to say that each model is a powerthouse in processing). The magic continues with the Ultimate “Stadius” modular LOCAL I/O, with each of the three cards providing four Stadius Mic-Pres, four Stadius Line Outputs and two bit perfect AES I/O. On the back of each engine are eight single or four redundant BNC MADI ports, Word Clock, AES Sync and Video Sync inputs, dual USB 2.0 sockets, a SuperSpeed USB 3.0 socket, 4k DisplayPort Overview Out, 5-Port 1Gbps network switch, Dual DMI slots, Waves SoundGrid port and Optocore inputs as standard, with space for an optional second Optocore loop.

The three 21.3-inch, all-new daylight-bright screens ensure there will never be a situation where viewing is difficult. There are also three 19.2-inch dedicated meter bridge screens, three dedicated 6.8-inch control screens for bank and layer switching, and 69 1.3-inch worksurface screens, all of which are touch sensitive for channel selects and solos, ensuring instant access and control.

"Quantum852 truly is a massive leap forward in every way," says DiGiCo Managing Director Austin Freshwater. "While it is completely new in its design and construction, it is still instantly recognizable as a DiGiCo. Its familiar workflow will make any DiGiCo user instantly comfortable, but its tremendous increase in power and speed will delight them. After an incredible 15 years of impeccable service, the Quantum7 finally has a console to look up to."
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