System 5 Digital Audio Mixing System - InDepth 1
EUPHONIX - SYSTEM 5 INDEPTH Table of Contents System 5............................................................................................................................ 4 System 5 Key Features..................................................................................................... 4 Innovative Solutions......................................................................................................... 4 System Components............................................................
EUPHONIX - SYSTEM 5 INDEPTH System 5 Two-Operator Console Shepperton Studios, U.K.
INTRODUCTION System 5 System 5 is a high performance digital audio mixing system specifically designed for audio post-production and music applications. System 5 has been re-engineered to add a host of new features ..
SYSTEM COMPONENTS System Components Control Surface Much like any audio console the System 5’s surface includes channel strips and a center section for master facilities. The surface is modular, making it easy to add extra channel strips at any time. Connections to the rack are Cat 5 Ethernet so placement is not restricted by complex cabling. No audio flows through the control surface as the audio electronics are housed remotely.
CONTROL SURFACE The Control Modules Typical Equipment Rack The System 5 surface is modular and can include 6 different modules (see opposite page) : • CM401-T Master Control Module (1ft wide, 305mm) • CM402-T Sub-Master Control Module (1ft wide, 305mm) • CM403-F/J Film Module (1ft wide, 305mm) • CM408-T 8-Fader Channel Strip Module (1ft wide, 305mm) • CM409-F Blank Module (1ft wide, 305mm) • Producer’s Desk - Flat worksurface with provision for built-in high-res 23” TFT screen (2ft wide, 610mm) The rack
Color TFT Display in each module CM408-T 8 Fader Channel Strip Module Optional CM402-T Sub-Master Control Module CM401-T Master Control Module Optional CM403-F/J Film Module with PEC Direct Panel and Joysticks System 5 Control Surface - 6 Module Frame CONTROL SURFACE System 5 Digital Audio Mixing System - InDepth 7
CHANNELS Channels The number of cards in the DSP SuperCore determine the number of channels and buses that are available in each System 5. For a given number of cards in the DSP SuperCore, different combinations of channels and buses may be quickly configured using the eMix Mixer Model software. Usually a Mixer Model is chosen during installation and is used throughout the life of the system as it will best match the application requirements of the studio.
STRIPS Strips System 5 is built up of modules of 8 strips. Controls closely resemble those of a traditional analog surface. In its simplest form a single strip controls a single source so a 48 strip surface could control 48 channels.
STRIPS Strips New Rotary Touch Knobs System 5 uses unique rotary illuminated touch-sensitive knobs that instantly reset after a recall. The center of the knob also includes a switch which can be used for certain knobset select functions, and to punch in the knob automation, if the touchsensitive knob automation option is switched off. The displays reflect the type of control, for example a gain control is shown opposite.
INPUTS Inputs Each channel has two digital inputs labelled A and B. Controls for each input include: • Phase Reverse • Delay • Input Select (A, B, or A+B) Patching Input Sources (PatchNet) The PatchNet routing system (see page 28) is used to patch sources to inputs. Any sources within the system, such as mixminus/group outputs or externals may be sent to these inputs. External MADI inputs can also be directly patched. For Analog, AES/EBU and other digital sources the Euphonix converters are used.
EQ Channel Process Order EQ Select Clear High Band Freq/Q Page Freq Adj Peak/Shelf Each channel has an insert point which can be placed in any of the seven process positions. The Euphonix converters provide analog and digital I/O for insertion of any type of device, such as a delay line, into the signal path.
DYNAMICS Dynamics Dynamics Select Clear Compressor The System 5 has an extremely powerful dynamics section comprising of a Compressor/Limiter, an Expander/Gate and side chain key input with filter. System 5 allows both Compress and Expand sections to be used together. The knobset shown opposite is the simple Compress/Expand knobset with the main controls for both sections available. The page keys at the bottom allow the knobset to be switched to a further 3 sets of knobs that give more advanced control.
BUSES & ROUTING Bus Routing and Aux Sends Aux Select Clear Number of Buses - Mixer Models The number of Mix, Group and Aux buses available in a System 5 console is dependent on the number of cards in the DSP SuperCore and the selected Mixer Model. Additional DSP cards may be added at any time to increase the number of channels.
PAN Pan Controls Pan Select Clear Pan Formats Years of experience in the film world allows Euphonix to include powerful surround features not found on other systems, with an extremely simple user interface.
METERS Meters The meters above each strip may be set to show any source, Mix, Group or Aux bus. Single or dual meters can be selected. For example, all strips could have the source fader signal plus the first 48 strips could also show the mix bus levels. The example shown to the right has been configured with a single input meter displaying the source signal (channel 1) and a dynamics meter. The meter is accurate to within 1/4dB from 0dBfs down to 48dBfs and displays clip indication.
MASTER FACILITIES Master Facilities Central Assignable Controls A source can be brought to the center section strip in the CM401T Master Module either from one of the strips, by pressing the Wave key, or by selecting a channel from the 32 keys on the optional CM402-T Sub-Master module. These 32 keys, together with source names and ON keys, are located just above the 8 assignable faders and can scroll through all the channels and control groups on the console.
SUB-MASTER MODULE Master Facilities CM402-T 32 Source Select Keys These 32 buttons in the optional CM402-T module make it very easy to move around the console from the sweet spot. The display shows the channel name, and the right button beneath each display selects this channel to the center strip. The left button can act as an On/Off or a Solo button. The Page keys at the bottom allow the 32 buttons to page to more channels. These controls may also be switched to select control groups.
SUB-MASTER MODULE & BUS MASTERS Master Facilities Dynamics & EQ Once a source has been brought to the center, the two sets of knobs at the bottom of the CM402-T Knobset Panel allow dedicated control of dynamics (12 left knobs) and EQ (12 right knobs). Functions are exactly the same as those found in the strip controls. The CM402-T display includes simultaneous dynamics, EQ and filter graphics to show the processor settings.
MASTER METERS & MONITORING Master Facilities Main Panel Master Meters The flat screen display above the center section includes metering for main monitor outputs. The number of meters will match the monitor’s format (5.1 is shown in the example below). The 8 meters at the bottom of the screen are for Aux, Group, Mix outputs or the SLS/Cue monitors, depending on the bus master knobset selection.
MONITORING Master Facilities External Inputs Up to 32 devices may be configured for External sources in any surround format up to 7.1. The monitor matrix is intelligent and automatically selects the appropriate monitor format to match the source’s format. Monitor Section and the Main panel to the right. Main panel shows the Main Menu with all the major section headings Monitor Source Selection Each of the monitor outputs (CR, Mon A, B, C, D) have their own level and source select key.
COMMUNICATIONS Master Facilities Oscillator Communications Facilities System 5 includes a comprehensive communications system including talkback, listenback, oscillator and slate. The Comms Ctrl button, just above the main monitor controls, brings up all the communications options on the Main panel. The Quick Keys panel (shown opposite) can also used for fast access to comms facilities. Digital oscillator again accessible from the Comms Control key and keys on the Main panel.
MULTI-OPERATOR SYSTEMS Multi-Operator Systems The System 5 can be supplied from single to three-operator configurations, each operator having access to film monitoring panels, dedicated automation, joystick panning and multi-operator solo functionality. These large systems can be configured with hundreds of inputs and up to 48 mix buses.
FILM PANEL Film Post-Production Monitoring Panel The Film and Post Monitoring Panel fulfills the requirements for a traditional PEC/Direct monitoring system for the film post-production environment. It can be used in single and multi-operator System 5 consoles. Up to four Film Post Panels can be installed in a system. The Film Monitor module is divided into two distinct parts: the traditional PEC/DIR panel on the left, and an additional utility panel to the right.
MULTI-OPERATOR CONFIGURATION CM403 TFT Display The TFT screen displays meters and an overview of the monitor bus assignments. The top half of the screen displays metering. The lower half of the screen displays 48 mix buses across the top, the first eight bus sections down the side, and the eight speaker (main monitor bus) outputs.
SNAPSHOT RECALL & TOTAL AUTOMATION SnapShot Recall™ A SnapShot stores console settings for recall at a later date. System 5 supports 240 SnapShots per Title. The operator can choose which parameters to include in a SnapShot. For example, a SnapShot may include every setting on all channels, a single channel, or just the EQ or pan settings on a single channel. SnapShots can be named and can also be modified.
AUTOMATION Fader and Knob Automation Modes Underlying ON Status Auto Glide Master / Slave / Link Indicators Function (such as EQ, Dynamics, Pan etc.
EMIX-PATCHNET Patching - PatchNet System 5 includes a large comprehensive digital patchbay called PatchNet, operated from the eMix software program which runs on a monitor next to the console. Devices AES/EBU MADI Analog Mic/Line AES/EBU MADI Monitors Analog Mic/Line Audio Interfaces eMix MADI PatchNet is one of the eMix menus. Other menus that are accessible on this computer are the File Directory, Bus Formatting, System Setup, Format Fold Down, External Source Setup & Conform.
EMIX-FILE MANAGEMENT File Management eMix - Directory Screen eMix eMix is the management software program for System 5 and runs on a screen that sits next to the console. The program comprises the following modules: • Directory • PatchNet • System Diagnostics and Mixer Models • Mix and Group Bus Setup • Monitor Fold Down Setup • External Inputs Setup • Conform (see page 27) Directory System 5 has the following file hierarchy: Drives - Projects Titles - Mixes. A project is a folder which contains Titles.
DSP SUPERCORE DF66 DSP SuperCore with MADI I/O & Router The new lightweight and compact DF66 DSP SuperCore is the primary signal-processing engine and router for System 5 digital mixing consoles. It is comprised of a system board and up to six plug-in SP662 DSP cards. The SuperCore has more than enough DSP horsepower, system functionality, and reliability to satisfy today’s demanding music and post applications.
STUDIO COMPUTER SC263 Studio Computer The new SC263 Studio Computer runs the eMix software which includes the file management system and the PatchNet software. It includes twin drives set up as a RAID array for redundant storage of all data. There is a separate keyboard and mouse for this computer and an external screen for showing the eMix software.
I/O Interfaces to the Analog & Digital Worlds Internally, System 5 uses MADI to route and patch digital audio. MADI is a very stable and robust AES sanctioned format that allows up to 64 channels of digital audio (at 24-bit, 48kHz) along a single coax cable. To interface to analog and other digital formats such as AES/ EBU, Euphonix provides a full range of high quality converters in multi-channel, 19” rack mounting cases.
I/O Interfaces to the Analog & Digital Worlds SH612 StudioHub The SH612 is a comprehensive professional 12x12 MADI router. Although the new DSP SuperCore includes complete MADI routing for System 5, the SH612 is available for use as a standalone router and can be controlled from any Windows PC using the optional SH612 Route Manager patching software.
EUCON HYBRID OPTION EuCon Hybrid Option Get Connected EuCon The new EuCon Hybrid option for System 5 extends the control capabilities of the console beyond the dedicated DSP Core to the outside world, bringing DAW tracks from multiple workstations onto the console surface for mixing. No other control system or console comes close to the power and total integration of Euphonix control surfaces with EuCon. The EuCon control protocol makes all this connectivity possible and is transparent to the user.
EUCON HYBRID OPTION EuCon Hybrid Option With the EuCon Hybrid option installed, DAWs running the EuCon Client Application are highlighted in the sub-panel and can be selected for access by the System 5. DAW Tracks can be assigned to any strip in any order and saved using Layouts (up to 48 Layouts). Auto-Assign works just the same as with normal System 5 channel strip assignments. DAW tracks also appear in the list of available sources when assigning directly from the strip.
System 5 Digital Audio Mixing System - InDepth Digital Factory, Normandy, France Largest console in the world System 5 with 144 faders & 620 channels 36
