PRODIGY.MP ESSENTIAL
From DirectOut Technologies
A highly configurable audio router and format converter designed to form the central audio hub at a large-scale event.
The PRODIGY.MP Essential accepts networked audio protocols such as Dante, Ravenna/AES67/ST2110-30, AVB Milan and Soundgrid as well as baseband formats including MADI, AES3 and analogue I/O.
Its design incorporates numerous fail-safe elements, and can provide a very high degree of resilience against signal or sync loss, data errors and similar potential disasters. It can be upgraded at any time with further I/O modules; licence options are also available to add or increase processing capability.
Overview
- Multi-format audio router and converter
- Maximum channel count: 416 inputs, 420 outputs
- Modular I/O system – wide choice of options
- Highest level of resilience in operation, user-definable
- FastSRC – low-latency SRC on networked audio and MADI I/O, invaluable for rapid set-up
- Fully assignable crosspoint router
- Extensive range of DSP options available via software licence
- Sync sources: internal or external wordclock, video, AES3, MADI or networked audio input
- Two headphone outputs on front panel
I/O Capability
- Two networked audio and MADI slots:
- Up to 128 channels per slot (format dependent)
- Dante, Ravenna/AES67 (ST2110-30/31 and ST2022-7 compliant), AVB-Milan and Soundgrid I/O modules available
- HD-SRC optional on all formats
- All networked audio modules have dual RJ45s plus SFP cage
- Dual MADI 128ch SFP or BNC interfaces with HD-SRC as standard
- Two MADI slots:
- Co-axial, SC optical, SFP options available
- 48k/96k frame, 56/64ch, S/MUX supported
- All common sample rates from 44.1 to 192 kHz, with ±12.5% varispeed
- Four baseband I/O slots:
- Eight bidirectional channels per slot
- Seven Mic/Mic-HD/Line analogue modules available
- AES3 module, with or without input SRC
Read more about I/O options here
Resilience Features
- EARS – dual redundant playback auto changeover
- Mirror Mode – copy a defined set of unit parameters (or even the entire configuration) to a second unit for backup or parallel operation
- 32 Input Managers – define a hierarchy of up to five alternative inputs and precise conditions for auto-switchover
- Auto sync source priority – auto sync source reselection in event of sync failure
- MADI redundancy – dual I/O ports
- Dual PSUs
Read more about DirectOut’s approach to ultra-safe operation here
Control Options
- Front panel controls – via touchscreen
- Web server – independent control network for control of primary unit functions from a browser
- globcon – powerful GUI freeware for enhanced and comprehensive control
- LTC reader – trigger any action from timecode
- MIDI – direct control of inputs or control mapping via globcon Trigger Manager
- GPIO – 2 in/2 out
- Ember+ (via licence option)
- OSC (via licence option)
- Automator (via licence option) – script engine for customised commands and events
- SNMP (via license option)
- Lawo Home (via licence option)
Optional Additional Processing (via Option Licence)
- 16 x 4 and 8 x 8 mix matrixes* and 32 summing buses*
- 8, 16 or 32 channels of EQ with FIR/IIR filters, dynamics and delay*
- Loudness metering
- Automix
*these processing options are standard on PRODIGY.MP Advanced
Read more about DSP options here
The PRODIGY.MP platform is available in two other versions, Advanced and Unlimited, which reduce the need for software licence activation. An upgrade package is available to convert a PRODIGY.MP Essential to a PRODIGY.MP Advanced, which adds comprehensive DSP, including EQ (FIR and IIR), dynamics and delay, plus Mix Matrixes and freely-assignable Flex Channels. All PRODIGY versions use the same basic hardware platform and have identical I/O capabilities.
The DirectOut PRODIGY.MP Essential is both an audio format convertor and routing matrix. It has been designed to be the central audio hub at major music productions, festivals, sporting events and similar live sound and/or broadcast installations, both fixed and temporary. It will be of particular interest to the increasing number of broadcasters adopting remote production of such events. Its fully modular I/O and ability to be reconfigured with additional processing as required makes it an ideal choice for rental company inventories.
PRODIGY.MP Essential shares many of its features with other DirectOut products, which is why we have written several “White Papers” on the subjects of Resilience, I/O modularity, Control options and DSP expansion. Please follow the links to learn more: these pages will give you a good idea of the many important design features that make the PRODIGY range so flexible and powerful.
Routing and I/O Options:
In summary, PRODIGY.MP Essential can convert freely between all common AoIP, Layer 2 networked and baseband audio formats: MADI, Dante, Ravenna/AES67/ST2110-30, Soundgrid, AVB Milan, AES3, plus mic or line level analogue, as required. Routing may be that of an entire multichannel source, or on a per-channel basis.
Resilience:
Great importance is placed on the need for utterly bullet-proof operation at major live events or live broadcast: making PRODIGY the audio core will enhance the reliability of the entire system. All PRODIGY units have multiple redundancy provisions for essentials like backup input and sync sources. You can use two units in parallel with automatic duplication of settings and parameters, and also configure them to switch between units under pre-defined circumstances. The changeover will be seamless: for live productions this means that the audience will be unaware of an otherwise disastrous failure. If the event is being recorded or broadcast, a second feed to a backup multitrack recorder is simple to set up, and multiple feeds can be created for broadcasters with different native audio formats.
DirectOut’s FastSRC, available on MADI and networked audio inputs and outputs, resolves many of the problems of integrating different audio systems in a complex situation where rigging time is limited. FastSRC essentially lets you “plug-and-play”, ironing out any minor differences in sample rate between systems during setup. Once the sync structure is established and the system goes live, FastSRC can be bypassed. For situations where permanent sample rate conversion is required with no compromise in quality, the networked audio and 2-port MADI I/O cards are available with DirectOut’s reference standard HD-SRC.
Read more about DirectOut’s approach to ultra-safe operation here
Controlling the PRODIGY:
PRODIGY.MP Essential offers several options for control of its many functions, but we strongly recommend the use of globcon freeware. globcon (pronounced “globe-con”!) is a comprehensive control system designed for DirectOut products. It provides the user with a very clear graphical interface, and allows easy access to all aspects of the unit’s configuration and operation, as well as providing constant system monitoring.
There are also a number of options for control via MIDI. Control of input connections is available via either the onboard MIDI ports or MIDI-over-MADI. However, globcon also enables mapping of MIDI commands to many more PRODIGY parameters using Trigger Manager.
Automator (enabled via licence activation) delivers more powerful control options, building complex, multi-step control sequences that may be triggered from operator input, external control commands, device events or status changes.
Processing Options:
DirectOut’s flexible approach to upgrades means that PRODIGY.MP Essential can have its specification expanded as and when required: additional DSP elements such as mix matrixes, summing buses, EQ, dynamics, loudspeaker management, FIR/IIR filtering and delay, can be added in blocks of 8, 16 or 32 channels by simple licence activation.
If you think you may have future applications which could exceed the PRODIGY.MP Essential’s capability, you may wish to consider the PRODIGY.MP Advanced or PRODIGY.MP Unlimited variants. The additional processing options – and other features – included as standard on these units may prove them to be a more cost-effective option.