Digital Desk Dilemma

[MobileMikey]

Hi all, im a theatre foh engineer based in ireland and im looking for some advice on which new digital desk to purchase. Iv been using an LS9 for the past 2 years or so and its almost perfect for the work I do, apart from not having VCA channels.

Now its time for an upgrade. Iv been doing some research on the I-live 112 and Digico SD9 desks, and I must say I'm quite disappointed. They are both great desks but neither have sufficient local inputs for my needs. Generally I use about 16-20 radio mics and 5-10 other inputs on stage. I need to have the RM tuners beside me in the booth, but the SD9 only has 8 local inputs, & the 112 has about the same in jack inputs.

Any sales people I have spoken to say 'just get 2 stageboxes, 1 for booth, 1 for stage, problem solved' Surprise surprise eh?

Unfortunately my budget won't stretch that far.

So im looking for any advice or suggestions as what to do? Because of my location its near impossible for me to get my hands on either desk. All I have is the manufacturers website to reference, and TBH they are not really informative, so maybe im overlooking something?

 

All Comments and suggestions are welcome

thanks

mick

[Wilflet]

Presumably with the ls9 your using an analogue multi to get the stage inputs in?

If this is the case position the stage rack at foh for the new desk. existing analogue multi brings stage inputs to you as before, radio racks there, and youve access to all your inputs in one place.

[MarkPAman]

I assume that you already have an analogue multicore in place for the LS9. Could you either:

1. use it to connect the mics on stage to a digiital stage box in the booth
   
2. run it backwards to plug the radio mics into a digital box on stage
   

Then get a second box when budget becomes available in the future.

 

E2A - beaten to it!

[MobileMikey]

Presumably with the ls9 your using an analogue multi to get the stage inputs in?

If this is the case position the stage rack at foh for the new desk. existing analogue multi brings stage inputs to you as before, radio racks there, and youve access to all your inputs in one place.

 

 

yes that is the obvious solution, but I was hoping to do away with the analogue multi completely, I hop from venue to venue a lot & its a pig to drag around and run to FOH position. Id like to run a nice little cat5 instead. The Ls9 has 32 analog inputs on the back of the desk, so why cant Digico and A&H? Is there like an expansion card that can be gotten for either SD9 or 112?

[Solstace]

Mick,

 

Looks to me like your iLive experience was with a T-series control surface. My understanding is that their iLive 112 (as opposed to T112) can be configured with up to 32 ins or outs locally, and has some processing built-in. Essentially it's like the T-112 but with the IDR processing built in and some input card spaces to configure how you want.

 

I'd guess that partnering this with an iLive IDR or xDR rack on stage would give you the ins/outs you need there. Join them together and away you go.

 

What budget do you have?

[MarkPAman]

At PLASA, I seem to remember being shown/told about a box giving an extra 16 inputs to the Allen & Heath mix racks via CAT5 at a reasonable price. I don't know if it's available yet, but a chat to A&H would probably be worthwhile.

 

As to why you don't get that many local inputs, it's the cost of pre-amps & D/A. You need to buy these wherever they are in the system, & having them separate from the desk makes things more flexible.

[MobileMikey]

Mick,

 

Looks to me like your iLive experience was with a T-series control surface. My understanding is that their iLive 112 (as opposed to T112) can be configured with up to 32 ins or outs locally, and has some processing built-in. Essentially it's like the T-112 but with the IDR processing built in and some input card spaces to configure how you want.

 

I'd guess that partnering this with an iLive IDR or xDR rack on stage would give you the ins/outs you need there. Join them together and away you go.

 

What budget do you have?

 

I wasnt aware of that, I must look into it, that would solve the problem but for a mid-range console you'd expect them to be as standard? My budget is in the region of 10k euros plus VAT

[dougjm]

Is the upgrade you're looking for an audio based one or just to remove the analogue multicore from the situation? A yamaha ethersound card and SB168ES would give you 16in 8 out on stage with a cat5 multicore and keeps the LS9 at FOH with it's 32in 16out - I'm sure this is way cheaper than a new desk but you may have audio reasons for wanting to move away from the LS9.

[ghance]

Digidesign Venue SC48

 

(if M7CL-32 too big?)

[MarkPAman]

My budget is in the region of 10k euros plus VAT

 

That will get you a Roland M400 (or M380) + 2 1608 boxes.

[nb705]

Digidesign Venue SC48

 

(if M7CL-32 too big?)

 

+1 for the SC48, rider friendly, sounds good and a decent ROI

[drecks]

Hi all, im a theatre foh engineer based in ireland and im looking for some advice on which new digital desk to purchase. Iv been using an LS9 for the past 2 years or so and its almost perfect for the work I do, apart from not having VCA channels.

Now its time for an upgrade. Iv been doing some research on the I-live 112 and Digico SD9 desks, and I must say I'm quite disappointed. They are both great desks but neither have sufficient local inputs for my needs. Generally I use about 16-20 radio mics and 5-10 other inputs on stage. I need to have the RM tuners beside me in the booth, but the SD9 only has 8 local inputs, & the 112 has about the same in jack inputs.

Any sales people I have spoken to say 'just get 2 stageboxes, 1 for booth, 1 for stage, problem solved' Surprise surprise eh?

Unfortunately my budget won't stretch that far.

So im looking for any advice or suggestions as what to do? Because of my location its near impossible for me to get my hands on either desk. All I have is the manufacturers website to reference, and TBH they are not really informative, so maybe im overlooking something?

 

All Comments and suggestions are welcome

thanks

mick

 

Hi Mick, iv be using the Roland m400 with 2* 16:8 and 1*40 stage boxes and find them quick to setup and de-rig, iv used upto 36 radio mics no prob to it.

Derek

Midlands Ireland

[StevieR]

Another option may be to look at the Radio Mic system. Does the one you have support a PC based remote management system such as the Sennheiser or Shure systems? If so, then you can leave all the receivers at the stage end (which is better for reception) and tie them directly into the stage box. A separate CAT-5 feed can then be used to monitor and configure them from FOH.

 

Just a thought...