PRODIGY.MC UNLIMITED
From DirectOut Technologies
A powerful multi-format audio interface and router, the PRODIGY.MC Unlimited interfaces analogue and AES3 audio with AoIP and Layer2 (L2) networked audio and/or MADI systems. It can operate with Dante, Ravenna/AES67/ST2110-30, AVB Milan or Waves SoundGrid, as well as all MADI standards.
The modular I/O design allows for up to 64 inputs and 64 outputs, which may be a mix of mic inputs, analogue line I/O and AES3 I/O. Numerous fail-safe features provide a high degree of resilience against signal or sync loss, data errors and similar potential disasters.
PRODIGY.MC Unlimited is the ideal solution for rental companies, live sound events, broadcasters and location recording where a stagebox or similar intelligent remote I/O breakout is needed. It can be easily reconfigured to suit different I/O and network requirements.
Overview
- Multi-format audio router and converter
- Maximum I/O capability: 320 inputs, 324 outputs
- Up to 64 analogue or AES3 inputs and outputs, via modules of eight channels
- Supports Dante, RAVENNA/AES67/ST2110-30, AVB Milan and Waves SoundGrid AoIP & Layer2 protocols
- Compatible with all MADI standards
- Highest level of resilience in operation, user-definable
- All sync options available, including external wordclock I/O
- Two headphone outputs on front panel
- Local control from front panel; extensive remote control options, including globcon
I/O Capability
- Networked Audio and dual-MADI slot:
- Up to 128 channels (format dependent)
- Dante, Ravenna/AES67 (ST2110-30/31 and ST2022-7 compliant), AVB-Milan and Soundgrid I/O modules available
- Dual MADI 128ch interface with HD-SRC as standard
- HD-SRC optional on all networked audio formats
- All networked audio modules have dual RJ45s plus SFP cage
- Two MADI slots:
- Co-axial, SC optical, SFP I/O modules available
- 48k/96k frame, 56/64ch, S/MUX supported
- All common sample rates from 44.1 to 192 kHz, with ±12.5% varispeed
- Eight baseband I/O slots:
- Eight bidirectional channels per slot
- Seven Mic/Mic-HD/Line analogue modules available
- AES3 modules, with or without input SRC
Read more about I/O options here
Resilience Features
- FastSRC™ – low-latency SRC on AoIP and MADI I/O, invaluable for rapid set-up
- 32 Input Managers – define a hierarchy of up to five alternative inputs and precise conditions for auto-switchover
- EARS – dual redundant multichannel/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
- 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
- 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
- Automator – script engine for customised commands and events
- Ember+
- OSC
- All future Control additions (enabled by firmware update)
Additional Processing
- FastSRC™ – low-latency SRC on AoIP and MADI I/O, invaluable for rapid set-up
- 32 Input Managers – define a hierarchy of up to five alternative inputs and precise conditions for auto-switchover
- 32 Summing Buses
- 8 channels of Loudness metering
- All future processing additions (enabled by firmware update)
The PRODIGY.MC platform is available in two other versions, Essential operates purely as a router-converter and is the most cost-effective PRODIGY.MC; Advanced adds FastSRC, Input Managers and Summing Buses to the core router-converter functionality. Both versions include the option to add the control protocols (EMBER+ OSC, SNMP and Lawo HOME), Automator or Loudness Metering, via optional licenses, if required.
PRODIGY.MC Unlimited is a modular audio convertor and routing matrix. It is an ideal choice when a remote, bidirectional “breakout box” is required at a large-scale concert, festival, or major sports event, whether for live sound or broadcast use. It is a great addition to a rental company’s inventory, as its modular I/O design allows it to be rapidly reconfigured to suit the event’s requirements.
PRODIGY.MC Unlimited is also an ideal partner for PRODIGY.MP or PRODIGY.MX multi-format converters and processors, in situations where multiple networked audio formats are in use.
PRODIGY.MC Unlimited 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 and Control options. 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:
PRODIGY.MC Unlimited caters for up to 64 baseband inputs and outputs in the form of 8-channel modules: these may be AES3, or mic or line level analogue as required. The unit interfaces this I/O to either Dante, Ravenna/AES67, AVB Milan or Soundgrid networked audio formats. Bidirectional conversion between MADI and the baseband audio and/or AoIP/L2 audio can be performed simultaneously. Fully free routing between any inputs and outputs is available on a per-channel or “block” basis.
Resilience:
Silence is anything but golden if it happens at a major live event with a vast audience. All PRODIGY units have multiple redundancy provisions for essentials like backup input and sync sources. Mirror Mode allows two units to be used in parallel, with settings and parameters from one being automatically duplicated in the other. The engineer can define the circumstances under which switching between units will be triggered. The changeover will be seamless, and the audience will be unaware of an otherwise disastrous failure.
DirectOut’s FastSRC, available on MADI and AoIP inputs and outputs, resolves many of the problems of integrating different audio systems – which may be asynchronous – when rigging time is limited. FastSRC lets you “plug-and-play”, ironing out minor sync differences 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 MADI2 I/O cards are available with DirectOut’s reference standard HD-SRC.
Dual MADI ports, sync source auto-switching and dual power supplies all reduce the likelihood of silence even further.
Read more about DirectOut’s approach to ultra-safe operation here
Controlling the PRODIGY:
PRODIGY.MC Unlimited’s front panel touchscreen allows many of the unit’s primary functions to be set up. Browser control via a dedicated network port is also provided. Additionally, PRODIGY.MC Unlimited is compatible with EMBER+ and OSC remote control systems, functionalities which may be activated via an add-on licence. Further, we strongly recommend the use of globcon freeware, a comprehensive control system designed exclusively 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 MIDI-over-MADI. However, globcon also enables the mapping of MIDI commands to many more PRODIGY parameters using Trigger Manager.
More complex control requirements may be serviced by Automator. This scripting engine enables the construction of multi-layered customised commands and events that may be triggered from operator input, external control commands, device events or status changes.
For connection to 3rd party control systems in broadcast and live sound installations, the PRODIGY.MP Unlimited is equipped with Ember+, OSC or SNMP protocols to simplify the integration process.