User's Manual

Chapter 2: Introducing The XL8 Live

Performance System

The standard XL8 system offers 96 channel inputs, 51 outputs, 51 buses

(32 auxes/groups, 16 matrices and three masters), 16 on-board effects processors,

PEQs (four-band on inputs and six-band on outputs), up to 48 assignable GEQs (if all

stereo effects units are being used), 16 configurable stereo effects (from eight options),

surround panning (5.1, LCRS and quad) and comprehensive, easy-to-use routing. XL8

automation provides up to 1,000 scenes with snapshot save/recall capability and global

edit, presets and show file archiving.

The XL8 Control Centre forms the core of the XL8 Live Performance System, which also

includes a number of 19” rack modules that are interconnected by a networked data

system. The network carries both proprietary control data and open architecture

AES50 digital audio, and uses readily available standard cabling and connectors. The

XL8 uses the proven stable Linux operating system. Third party hardware and software

(and plug-ins) can be easily integrated into the system.

Included with the XL8 Control Centre are four mic splitters, five I/O units, 10 DSP units,

two routers and a Klark Teknik DN9331 RAPIDE that, collectively, form the standard

XL8 Live Performance System configuration.

The XL8 Live Performance System is tolerant of any single failure of hardware or

software. To achieve this the system employs dual redundancy, where a key

component has an identical redundant spare that is ready to take over should it fail.

Other failure scenarios are managed by the N+1 principle, where redundant

components form an acceptable fraction of the system, for example, one of the DSP

units in the rack is a redundant spare.

System components (standard supply)

The standard XL8 Live Performance System comprises the following equipment:

• XL8 Control Centre (1-off):

Comprises five discrete, independent

bays, each with its own power supply,

surface modules, surface processor, GUI

processor and GUI screen. The standard

five-bay control centre has three bay

types, input (3-off), mix (1-off) and

output (1-off).

• DL431 Mic Splitter (4-off): 6U 19” rack unit that

provides 24 mic/line inputs.

• DL451 Modular I/O (5-off): 3U 19” rack unit that

provides a maximum of 24 audio inputs and 24 audio

outputs.