Manual

24 PRO X User Manual
Eects processing and GEQs
The PRO X contains up to 36 mono KLARK TEKNIK (KT) GEQs and 24 eects
processors as standard.
The mono KT GEQs can be patched into any output. There are many patching
options for the eects processors:
• Assign to any insert send/return.
• Assign to any pool, in or out.
• Assign FX out to aux return.
• Assign FX in to aux send (post-fade).
• Assign FX out to bus direct in.
• Assign FX in to channel direct out.
Audio physical connections
Over 500 physical analogue XLR connections are possible on a PRO X Live
Audio System depending on card conguration.
The ve available card types are DL441, DL442, DL443, DL444 and DL452
(see Table 2 “Range of PRO Series equipment supply” on page 21 ). Any three of
these cards can be tted directly into the rear of a PRO X Control Centre,
and the remainder are tted in the congurable I/O boxes.
All of the congurable I/O are freely routable on a scene-by-scene basis.
Surround capabilities
Theatres and broadcast have diering requirements for surround and both
are catered for in the PRO X.
Conventional stereo and SIS™ panning is assignable on a channel-by-channel
basis (channel one can be in stereo, while channel two can be in SIS™), as follows:
• Stereo left–right routing to master buses.
• SIS™ left–right–centre routing to master buses.
Three additional surround modes operate as follows:
• Quad Left – Right – LS – RS routing to matrices 1, 2, 5 and 6.
• Surround Left – Right – Centre – Surround routing to
matrices 1, 2, 3, 5 and 6.
• 5.1 surround Left – Right – Centre – Sub – LS – RS routing to matrices
1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6.
Network
The network of the PRO X utilises the physical connectivity of Ethernet
(EtherCon® connectors and Cat 5e/copper cable), but replaces its data protocol
with AES50 protocol (implemented as SuperMac) and the HyperMac high
capacity system, which are more suited to high quality, low latency audio
distribution. The use of the AES standard allows straightforward interfacing with
any third party hardware that also utilises this connection.
Network connections carry digital audio, control data and standard Ethernet
trac bi-directionally down a single cable. Cat 5e cable is used for the ‘local’
connections and the single digital ‘snake’ (equivalent to a 384-channel analogue
multi-core) between control centre and Audio System Engine. The combination
of audio, control, clock and third party Ethernet data in a single network means
that the hardware interfaces on a single RJ45 connection.
Reliability (redundancy)
All critical system connections and most components incorporate integral backup
and recovery strategies such as redeployment of resources, N+1 redundancy or dual
redundancy etc. A modular approach to software, hardware and physical construction
also aids reliability and simplies servicing. The following lists some examples:
• The Audio System Engine incorporates N+1 redundant power supplies and
3 modules, with a redundant 4th module included. The standard failure
recovery for modules will be redeployment of critical roles typically causing
loss of some less important inputs. The 4th module allows the system to
operate as N+1 and there will be no loss of function after redeployment.
• The router is contained in the same rack and incorporates dual HyperMAC
connections in and out.
• The control centre contains dual redundant master controllers, dual GUI
screens and N+1 redundant power supplies.
This resilience strategy provides high reliability performance at a reasonable cost
because it is designed in from the start and not as an afterthought.
Control software
The operating system of the PRO X is Linux, which is an open-source, stable,
proven operating system (OS). Linux is used in many mission-critical applications
worldwide and has allowed MIDAS’ software engineers to write a ground-up
system that contains no ‘hidden’ or unused code. This has resulted in an
ecient, compact application, which is quick in operation, quick booting and
comparatively easy to debug.
Two copies of the master control software run on separate processors to provide
resilience to failure.
GUI
The PRO X has two, daylight-viewable, LED screens that provide fast zone and
channel strip status indication. Although any screen can display any information,
in the standard conguration, screen information relates to module location.
So, the mix bay screen displays the channel strip and fast zone while the master
bay screen displays the channel strip, input fast zone (four inputs) and all meters.
The screens are controlled from the primary navigation zone at the bottom of the
master bay via two trackballs.