DiGiCo SD5

Product Overview:

Exceptional Live Sound mixing performance using Stealth Digital Processing™

Overview

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.

Scratching the surface

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.

What's under the hood?

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.

I/O

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.

Features

Main Features

124 Input Channels
56 Aux / Sub-Group Busses
LR/LCR/5.1 Master Bus
24 x 24 Full Processing Matrix
2 Solo
24 Dynamic Equalizers
24 DiGiTuBes
24 Multiband Compressors
24 Digital FX
32 Graphic Equalizers
Optional Waves Integration
48/96/192kHz Sample Rate
Standard Optics
Optional Application Specific Software: Broadcast

Specifications

General Specifications

Faders 37 x 100mm touch-sensitive, motorised
Screens 3 x 15” LCD high - resolution touch screens
Meterbridge 2 x Custom Mounted LCD high-resolution TFT-LCD screens
Input Channels 124
Busses Up to 56 plus masters Aux / Group busses with full processing Mono / Stereo / LCR / 5.1
Matrix Up to 24 Input / 24 Outputs with full processing
Control Groups Up to 24, selectable for VCA-style, Moving fader, Mute Group
Graphic Eq 32 x 32-band, Gain +/- 12dB
Internal FX Up to 24 stereo effects comprising up to 16 floating point reverbs and up to 24 delay/chorus/pitch/enhancer
Local I/O 8 x mic/line I/O, 8 x AES I/O
MADI interface 3 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
Ext Sync Wordclock, AES, Video, MADI, Optics
Physical Dimensions 1465 mm (w) x 838mm (d) x 458 mm (h)
Weight 116Kg (233 Kg with flightcase)
Power Requirements 90V-260V, 50-60Hz, 532VA (340W)

Audio Specification

Sample Rate: 48kHz, 44.1kHz or 96kHz
Processing Delay: 2ms Typical @ 48k(60 Stereo Channels, Stage Input Through L-R Buss to Stage Output) 1.1ms @96k
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: <90dBu Typical
Noise: (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)
DiGiTuBe: Drive 0.01 - 50.0
Bias 0 - 6
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/
Hi Shelf, 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
Dynamics 1: Single or Multiband (3-Band)

Compressor: 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
Knee : Hard, Med, Soft

De-Esser: Threshold : 20us – 20ms
Release : 1ms – 100ms
Ratio : 1:1 – 50:1
Ess-Band : Listen On/Off
Ess-Band Filter Freq / Width: 20Hz – 20kHz
Dynamics 2: On/Off

Gate / Ducker: Threshold; -60 – 0dB
Attack; 50us – 100ms
Hold; 2ms – 2s
Release; 5ms – 5s
Range; 0 - 90dB
Key; Any Source
Key Listen
Freq/Width; 20 – 20kHz

Compressor: 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
S/C Source : Any Source
S/C Listen : On/Off
S/C Filter Freq/Width: 20Hz – 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)
DiGiTuBe: Drive 0.01 - 50.0
Bias 0 - 6
LPF: 20 – 20kHz, 24dB / Oct
HPF: 20 – 20kHz, 24dB / Oct
Insert A: (Pre EQ/Dyn) On/Off
Equalisation: 8 Band EQ: 4 band Parametric and 4 band parametric or Dynamic (Low/Lowshelf, Lower-Mid/Lowshelf, Upper-Mid/Hi Shelf, 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
Dynamics 1: Single or Multiband (3-band)

Compressor: 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
Knee : Hard, Med, Soft

De-Esser: Threshold: 20us – 20ms
Release: 1ms – 100ms
Ratio: 1:1 – 50:1
Ess-Band: Listen On/Off
Ess-Band Filter Freq/Width: 20Hz – 20kHz
Dynamics 2: On/Off

Gate / Ducker: Threshold; -60 – 0dB
Attack; 50us – 100ms
Hold; 2ms – 2s
Release; 5ms – 5s
Range; 0 - 90dB
Key; Any Source
Key Listen
Freq/Width; 20 – 20kHz

Compressor: 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
S/C Source : Any source
S/C Listen : On/Off
S/C Filter Freq/Width: 20Hz – 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