PRODIGY.MX ESSENTIAL
From DirectOut Technologies
A highly configurable audio router and format converter designed to form the central hub for multiple audio networks at broadcast and production facilities or large-scale live events.
The PRODIGY.MX Essential accepts AoIP protocols such as Dante, Ravenna/AES67, AVB/Milan and Soundgrid as well as MADI. 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 and control capability.
Overview
- Multi-format audio router and converter
- Maximum channel count: 1,664 inputs and 1,668 outputs
- Modular I/O system – user’s choice of options
- Highest level of resilience in operation, user-definable
- FastSRC™ – low-latency SRC on MADI I/O, invaluable for rapid set-up
- Fully assignable crosspoint router, with summing buses
- DSP options may be added at any time
- Sync sources: internal or external wordclock, video, AoIP or MADI inputs
- Two headphone outputs on front panel
I/O Capability
- Six AoIP/MADI slots:
- Up to 256 channels per slot (format dependent)
- Dante, Ravenna/AES67 (ST2110-30/31 and ST2022-7 compliant), AVB Milan, Soundgrid and MADI modules available
- MADI modules may be 2-port (2 x BNC/2 x SFP with HD-SRC) or 4-port SFP
- HD-SRC available as option on AoIP and 4-port MADI I/O
- All AoIP modules have dual RJ45s plus SFP cage
- Two further dedicated 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
Read more about I/O options here
Resilience Features
- Mirror Mode – copy a defined set of unit parameters (or even the entire configuration)to a second unit for backup or parallel operation
- 64 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
- HCONTROL8 – 8 channel/12 layer mixer-style remote hardware control surface
- LTC reader – trigger any action from timecode
- GPIO – 2 in/2 out
- Ember+, OSC, SNMP, JSON-API (via licence options)
A more fully-featured version, PRODIGY MX. Advanced, is also available with more extensive DSP capability. The PRODIGY.MX Unlimited also includes this DSP capability, plus all the various processing and control license options as standard. Further platforms in the PRODIGY range are PRODIGY.MP and PRODIGY.MC, which offer one (MC) or two (MP) AoIP and two MADI I/O slots, plus numerous options for interfacing with analogue and AES3 audio. Each exists in three versions; upgrade packages between versions are available.
The DirectOut PRODIGY.MX Essential is a multi-format audio convertor plus a routing matrix. It is designed to be the central hub for network audio in broadcast installations, at major music productions, festivals, sporting events and other live sound 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.MX 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.MX Essential can convert freely between all common maudio formats as required: MADI, Dante, Ravenna/AES67, AVB Milan, Soundgrid. 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
Read more about DirectOut’s approach to ultra-safe operation here
Controlling the PRODIGY:
PRODIGY.MX 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 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
A hardware remote controller, the HCONTROL8, is styled as a compact 8-fader mixer with 12 operational layers. Interfacing with globcon, it gives direct user control of individual audio channel levels, and many of globcon’s further functions (including snapshots).
HCONTROL8 is bidirectional, and includes per-channel meters.