DiGico SD7B

Product Overview:

Broadcast Console with Stealth Digital Processing™

Overview

DiGiCo SD7B: “With greater power comes even greater responsibility...”

Though identical in appearance to the SD7, the SD7B goes a stage further as it has been developed for broadcast applications. As well as full Flexi channel capability, routing flexibility has been vastly increased to allow for LCRS and 5.1 mixes as well as stereo and LCR.

In addition, broadcast-specific features include a complete 5.1 monitor matrix with 48 x 6 source to speaker selection; mutli channel folding; user defined stem order selection; Mix Minus busses (one per mono channel); backstop PFL (over press) and Auto PFL; and Audio Follow Video implementation.

Scratching the surface

A combination of technologies have been seamlessly integrated into the SD7B's worksurface to meet the everyday needs of any engineer. We've managed to pack them into three user-friendly interactive 15-inch high-resolution touch screens, each of which accommodates a bank of 12 faders, to provide the user with the perfect platform – everything is just 'where it should be'.

To make navigation even easier, we've added high-definition interactive meter bridges and multicoloured knobs and switches; and for further functionality and flexibility, 16 assignable faders (one bank of 12, one bank of four) sit neatly below the master screen in the centre of the console, taking the SD7B's fader tally to a sizeable 52.

To increase the fader count further for multi-engineer applications and shows, an EX-007 Fader Expansion unit is available. Two EX-007s can be connected via a simple Cat5e connector for remote control or simply to increase your fader count to 100.

What's under the hood?

If knowledge really is power, SD7 is our Einstein: it boasts a massive 256 processing paths at 48kHz/96kHz (or 128 at 192kHz).

Standard channel processing, whether inputs or outputs, includes Channel Delay, DiGiTube, Single and Multi Channel Presets, Dual insert points, Hi- and Lo-pass filters @ 24dB/octave, four-band parametric EQ (eight on outputs) with band curve selection and Dynamic EQ on each band, Dual insert points, DiGiCo's DYN 1 (Compressor, De-esser or Multi Channel Compressor) and DYN 2 (Gate, Compressor or Ducker).

The master section incorporates 32 gangable 32-band graphic EQs, 48 stereo effects, and 36 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 128 busses (mono or stereo), all of which are assignable as mono/stereo groups or auxiliary busses, plus the ability to assign 5.1 busses. In addition to these busses, for further configurability, we've provided an 32 x 32 output matrix, dual solo busses for PFL and on-air soloing in mono, stereo LCRS and 5.1; and an LR/LCR/LCRS/5.1 Master buss. Essentially, users have the equivalent of 160 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.

I/O

The SD7B's local I/O includes 12 analogue inputs, 12 analogue outputs and 12 AES I/O (mono); and when coupled with a second engine, with four redundant MADI ports per engine, and one Optocore loop with the ability for an option for a second to be fitted.

For even greater distances, an optional single mode optical connection can be fitted with the ability to interchange transceivers.

This amounts to a monumental 1392 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 32 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.

Features

Main Features

253 (Max) Input Channels
128 (Max) Aux / Sub-Group Busses
LR/LCR/LCRS/5.1 Master Bus
32 x 32 Full Processing Matrix
2 Solo
256 Dynamic Equalizers
256 DiGiTuBes
256 Multiband Compressors
48 Digital FX
32 Graphic Equalizers
Optional Waves Integration
48/96/192kHz Sample Rate
Yes Optics

Specifications

General Specifications

Faders 38 x 100mm touch-sensitive, motorised
14 x 60mm touch sensitive, motorised
Screens 3 x 15” LCD high - resolution touch screens
Meterbridge 3 x Custom Mounted LCD high-resolution TFT-LCD screens
Redundancy Internal removable engine x 2
Internal hot-swappable PSU x 2
Processing Channels Up to 256 (combination of Input Channels / Aux / Solo Group Busses)
Busses Up to 128 Aux / Group busses with full processing Mono / Stereo / LCR / 5.1
Matrix Up to 32 Input / 32 Outputs with full processing
Control Groups Up to 36, selectable for VCA-style, Moving fader, Mute Group
Graphic Eq 32 x 32-band, Gain +/- 12dB
Internal FX A multitude of Reverbs / Delays / Other Effects to be detailed in future issues of Especs.
Local I/O 12 x mic/line I/O, 12 x AES I/O
MADI interface 4 redundant interfaces, BNC connectivity
Optic interface Fibrecast optic
Sampling rates 48kHz / 96kHz / 192kHz
(processing capabilities halved at 192kHz)
GPI/GPO 16 as standard, expandable to 32
Video Inputs x 2, Outputs x 2
Ext Sync Wordclock, AES, Video, MADI, Optics

Physical

Dimensions 1496mm/58.9inch (w) x 875mm/34.4inch (d) x 503mm/19.8inch (h)
Weight 107Kg/236lbs (267Kg/589lbs with flightcase)
Power Requirements 90V-260V, 50-60Hz, 600VA

Audio Specification

Sample rate 96kHz / 48kHz
Processing delay 1ms Typical (channel, SD Rack input through L-R buss to stage output @96kHz)
Internal processing Up to 40-bit, floating point
A>D & D>A 24-bit Converter Bit Depth
Frequency response +/- 0.6dB (20Hz – 20kHz)
THD <0.05% @ unity gain, 10dB input @ 1kHz
Channel Seperation Better than 90dB (40Hz – 15kHz)
Residual output noise <90dBu Typical (20Hz - 20kHz)
Microphone Input Better than -126dB Equivalent Noise
Maximum Output Level +22dBu
Maximum Input Level +22dBu

Processing Channel Specification: - Input Channel

Name User-defined / Presets
Channel Selection Mono / Stereo / Multi
Input Routing Main & Alternate Input
Analogue Gain -20 to +60dB
Phase Normal / Reverse
Digital Trim -40 to +40dB
Delay >1 sec (coarse & fine control)
LPF 20 – 20kHz, 24dB / Oct
HPF 20 – 20kHz, 24dB / Oct
Insert A (pre eq/dyn) On/off
Equalisation 4 band EQ: Parametric or Dynamic
(low/lowshelf, lower-mid/lowshelf, upper-mid/hishelf, hi/hishelf)
on/off
Freq; 20 – 20kHz
Gain; +/- 18dB
Q: 0.1 -20 (parametric) / 0.10-0.85 (shelf)
Dynamic Eq on/off
Over/under
Band on/off
Threshold; -60 – 0dB
Attack; 500us – 100ms
Release; 10ms – 10s
Ratio; 1:1 – 50:1
Compressor Single or multiband (3-band)
on / off
Threshold; -60 – 0dB
Attack; 500us – 100ms
Release; 10ms – 10s
Ratio; 1:1 – 50:1
Gain; 0 to +40dB with Autogain option
Link; any channel / buss
Hi crossover; 20Hz – 20kHz
Lo crossover; 20Hz – 20kHz
Gate
on/off
Threshold; -60 – 0dB
Attack; 50us – 100ms
Hold; 2ms – 2s
Release; 5ms – 5s
Range; 0 - 90dB
Key; Any source
Key listen
Freq/width; 20 – 20kHz
Insert B (post eq/dyn) On/off
EQ/Dyn order EQ/Dyn or Dyn/EQ
Mute Channel mute / hard mute
Solo Solo Buss 1 / Solo Buss 2 / Both, Auto solo
Channel Safe Input, eq, dyn, aux, pan, fade/mute, inserts, buss, directs, full safe
Output Routing Buss, Insert A, Insert B, FX
Direct: on/off, pre-mute / pre-fade / post-fade, level +/- 18dB
Fader 100mm motorised fader ∞ to +10dB

Processing Channel Specification: - Aux / Group / Matrix Output

Name User-defined / Presets
Phase Normal / Reverse
Digital Trim -20 to +60dB
Delay >1 sec (coarse & fine control)
LPF 20 – 20kHz, 24dB / Oct
HPF 20 – 20kHz, 24dB / Oct
Insert A (pre eq/dyn) On/off
Equalisation 4 band EQ: Parametric or Dynamic
4 band EQ: Parametric Only
(low/lowshelf, lower-mid/lowshelf, upper-mid/hishelf, hi/hishelf)
on/off
Freq; 20 – 20kHz
Gain; +/- 18dB
Q: 0.1 -20 (parametric) / 0.10-0.85 (shelf)
Dynamic Eq on/off
Over/under
Band on/off
Threshold; -60 – 0dB
Attack; 500us – 100ms
Release; 10ms – 10s
Ratio; 1:1 – 50:1
Compressor Single or multiband (3-band)
on / off
Threshold; -60 – 0dB
Attack; 500us – 100ms
Release; 10ms – 10s
Ratio; 1:1 – 50:1
Gain; 0 to +40dB with Autogain option
Link; any channel / buss
Hi crossover; 20Hz – 20kHz
Lo crossover; 20Hz – 20kHz
Gate on/off
Threshold; -60 – 0dB
Attack; 50us – 100ms
Hold; 2ms – 2s
Release; 5ms – 5s
Range; 0 - 90dB
Key; Any source
Key listen
Freq/width; 20 – 20kHz
Insert B (post eq/dyn) On/off
EQ/Dyn order EQ/Dyn or Dyn/EQ
Mute Channel mute / hard mute
Solo Solo Buss 1 / Solo Buss 2 / Both, Auto solo
Channel Safe trim, eq, dyn, fade/mute, inserts, outputs, full safe
Output Routing Outputs, Insert A, Insert B, FX
Fader 100mm motorised fader ∞ to + 10dB