Digico UK Limited SD5 Digital Mixing Console

DiGiCo SD5: The heir to an icon

Just as the iconic D5 Live once fuelled the growth of digital mixing, now the DiGiCo SD5 adds the immense power of Stealth Digital Processing and floating-point Super FPGA technology to the feature set that changed the world of professional audio.

A total of 37 faders are laid out in three easy-to-operate banks of 12 with one master fader plus three 15-inch full colour TFT touchscreens for immediate access to functions and multi-user applications. Two Interactive Dynamic Metering (IDM) displays offer the same at-a-glance operation as the SD7, while the centrally located master screen is incorporated into the meter-bridge, so the engineer’s attention remains where it belongs – on the artist.

With the SD5, you define the workflow: recall or save presets on the channel strip; recall or save snapshots using the master screen or simply use the dedicated switches on the surface. Special functions can be assigned and accessed instantly via 40 Smart Key Macros, accessed via four layers of 10 RGB backlit keys.

Under The Hood

With up to 253 processing channels at 48kHz/96kHz, the SD5 is reassuringly powerful. Standard channel processing across inputs and outputs includes Channel Delay, Single and Multi-Channel Presets, Hi- and Lo-pass filters @ 24dB/octave, four-band parametric EQ (eight on the outputs) with band curve selection, Dual insert points, and DiGiCo’s renowned DYN 1 (Compressor, De-esser or Multiband Compressor) and DYN 2 (Gate, Compressor or Ducker).

In addition, 253 Dynamic EQ processors are available on any input or output channel, delivering dynamic processing over the four standard parametric bands, plus 253 Multiband Compressors and 253 DiGiTuBes. All channels deliver the same pure signal path and feature set, so no matter how you set up your console, you never lose any resources. Within the master section are 32 gangable 32 band graphic EQs, 32 stereo effects (selectable from a palette of 33), and 36 control groups (VCAs). Using snapshots, engineers can switch between complete configurations at a touch.

In addition, the SD5’s 128 configurable busses are all assignable as mono/stereo groups or auxiliary busses, while even more configurability comes courtesy of a 24 x 24 output matrix, dual solo busses, and an LR/LCR/5.1 Master Buss. Unlike all other digital console manufacturers, you don’t lose Aux or Group Busses when using the Matrix as they are in addition, including the Master buss.

I/O

The rear of the SD5 houses a wealth of I/O, including eight mic inputs, eight line outputs, eight mono AES I/O, four redundant MADI ports, and one Optocore loop. This equates to an incredible 1,264 I/O connections on a single optic loop with just one work surface.

Get instant access to 32 fully integrated low-latency Waves stereo MultiRacks, each with up to eight plug-ins per rack, by fitting an optional DiGiCo SoundGrid module linked to external SoundGrid or DiGiGrid servers, giving a total of 128 additional I/O.

Specifications:

• General Specifications
  • Faders 37 x 100mm touch-sensitive, motorised
  • Screens 3 x 15” LCD high – resolution touch screens
  • Meterbridge 2 x Custom Mounted LCD high-resolution TFT-LCD screens
  • Up to 253 Input Channels
  • Busses Up to 128 plus masters Aux / Group busses with full processing – LR/LCR/5.1 Master Buss
  • Matrix Up to 24 Input / 24 Outputs with full processing
  • Control Groups Up to 36, selectable for VCA-style, Moving fader, Mute Group
  • Graphic Eq 32 x 32-band, Gain +/- 12dB
  • Internal FX Up to 32 stereo effects comprising up to 16 floating point reverbs and up to 24 delay/chorus/pitch/enhancer
  • Local I/O 8 x mic/line I/O, 8 x AES I/O
  • MADI interface 4 redundant interfaces, BNC connectivity
  • Standard Optics (Dual Loop – Optional)
  • Sampling rates 48kHz / 96kHz
  • GPIO: 2 x DSub37
  • Ext Sync Wordclock, AES, Video, MADI, Optics
  • SD5 Dimensions: 1465 mm (w) x 838mm (d) x 458 mm (h)
  • SD5 Weight: 116Kg /256lbs. (235Kg / 518lbs. with flightcase)
  • SD5 Flightcase: 1600 mm (w) x 600mm (d) x 1200 mm (h)
  • Power Requirements 90V-260V, 50-60Hz, 532VA (340W)
• Audio Specification
  • Sample Rate: 48kHz or 96kHz
  • Processing Delay: 2ms Typical @ 48k (253 Channels, Stage Input Through L-R Buss to Stage Output) 1.1ms @96k
  • Internal Processing: Up to 40-bit, Floating Point
  • A>D & D>A: 24-bit Converter Bit Depth
  • Frequency Response: +/- 0.6dB (20Hz – 20kHz)
  • THD: <0.05% @ Unity Gain,: 10dB Input @ 1kHz
  • Channel Separation: Better Than 90dB: (40Hz – 15kHz)
  • Residual Output: <90dBu Typical
  • Noise: (20Hz – 20kHz)
  • Microphone Input: Better Than -126dB: Equivalent Noise
  • Maximum Output Level: +22dBu
  • Maximum Input Level: +22dBu
• Processing Channel Specification
  • Input Channel
    • Name: User-Defined / Presets
    • Channel Selection: Mono / Stereo / Multi
    • Input Routing: Main & Alternate Input
    • Analogue Gain: -20 to +60dB
    • Phase: Normal / Reverse
    • Digital Trim: -40 to +40dB
    • Delay: >1 Sec (Coarse & Fine Control)
    • DiGiTuBe: Drive 0.01 – 50.0
    • Bias 0 – 6
    • LPF: 20 – 20kHz, 24dB/Oct
    • HPF: 20 – 20kHz, 24dB/Oct
    • Insert A: (Pre EQ/Dyn) On/Off
    • Equalisation:
      • 4 Band EQ: Parametric or Dynamic (Low/Lowshelf, Lower-Mid/Lowshelf, Upper-Mid/Hi Shelf, Hi/Hishelf)
      • On/Off
      • Freq; 20 – 20kHz
      • Gain; +/- 18dB
      • Q: 0.1 -20 (Parametric) / 0.10-0.85 (Shelf)
      • Dynamic EQ On/Off
      • Over/Under
      • Band On/Off
      • Threshold; -60 – 0dB
      • Attack; 500us – 100ms
      • Release; 10ms – 10s
      • Ratio; 1:1 – 50:1
    • Dynamics 1:
      • Single or Multiband (3-Band)
      • Compressor: On/Off
      • Threshold; -60 – 0dB
      • Attack; 500us – 100ms
      • Release; 10ms – 10s
      • Ratio; 1:1 – 50:1
      • Gain; 0 to +40dB with
      • Autogain Option
      • Link; Any Channel/Buss
      • Hi Crossover; 20Hz – 20kHz
      • Lo Crossover; 20Hz – 20kHz
      • Knee : Hard, Med, Soft De-Esser: Threshold : 20us – 20ms
      • Release : 1ms – 100ms
      • Ratio : 1:1 – 50:1
      • Ess-Band : Listen On/Off
      • Ess-Band Filter Freq / Width: 20Hz – 20kHz
    • Dynamics 2:
      • On/Off
      • Gate / Ducker: Threshold; -60 – 0dB
      • Attack; 50us – 100ms
      • Hold; 2ms – 2s
      • Release; 5ms – 5s
      • Range; 0 – 90dB
      • Key; Any Source
      • Key Listen
      • Freq/Width; 20 – 20kHz Compressor: On/Off
      • Threshold; -60 – 0dB
      • Attack; 500us – 100ms
      • Release; 10ms – 10s
      • Ratio; 1:1 – 50:1
      • Gain; 0 to +40dB with Autogain Option
      • Link; Any Channel / Buss
      • Hi Crossover; 20Hz – 20kHz
      • Lo Crossover; 20Hz – 20kHz
      • S/C Source : Any Source
      • S/C Listen : On/Off
      • S/C Filter Freq/Width: 20Hz – 20kHz
    • Insert B: (Post EQ/Dyn) On/Off
    • EQ/Dyn order: EQ/Dyn or Dyn/EQ
    • Mute: Channel Mute / Hard Mute
    • Solo: Solo Buss 1 / Solo Buss 2 / Both, Auto Solo
    • Channel Safe: Input, EQ, Dyn, Aux, Pan, Fade/Mute, Inserts, Buss, Directs,
    • Full Safe
    • Output Routing: Buss, Insert A, Insert B, FX
    • Direct: On/Off, Pre-Mute / Pre-Fade / Post-Fade, Level +/- 18dB
    • Fader: 100mm Motorised Fader ∞ to +10dB
  • Aux / Group / Matrix Output
    • Aux / Group / Matrix Output
    • Name: User-Defined / Presets
    • Phase: Normal / Reverse
    • Digital Trim: -20 to +60dB
    • Delay: >1 Sec (Coarse & Fine control)
    • DiGiTuBe: Drive 0.01 – 50.0
    • Bias 0 – 6
    • LPF: 20 – 20kHz, 24dB / Oct
    • HPF: 20 – 20kHz, 24dB / Oct
    • Insert A: (Pre EQ/Dyn) On/Off
    • Equalisation:
      • 8 Band EQ: 4 band Parametric and 4 band parametric or Dynamic (Low/Lowshelf, Lower-Mid/Lowshelf, Upper-Mid/Hi Shelf, Hi/Hishelf)
      • On/Off
      • Freq; 20 – 20kHz
      • Gain; +/- 18dB
      • Q: 0.1 -20 (Parametric) / 0.10-0.85 (Shelf)
      • Dynamic EQ On/Off
      • Over/Under
      • Band On/Off
      • Threshold; -60 – 0dB
      • Attack; 500us – 100ms
      • Release; 10ms – 10s
      • Ratio; 1:1 – 50:1
    • Dynamics 1:
      • Single or Multiband (3-band)
      • Compressor: On/Off
      • Threshold; -60 – 0dB
      • Attack; 500us – 100ms
      • Release; 10ms – 10s
      • Ratio; 1:1 – 50:1
      • Gain; 0 to +40dB with Autogain Option
      • Link; Any Channel / Buss
      • Hi Crossover; 20Hz – 20kHz
      • Lo Crossover; 20Hz – 20kHz
      • Knee : Hard, Med, SoftDe-Esser: Threshold: 20us – 20ms
      • Release: 1ms – 100ms
      • Ratio: 1:1 – 50:1
      • Ess-Band: Listen On/Off
      • Ess-Band Filter Freq/Width: 20Hz – 20kHz
    • Dynamics 2:
      • On/Off
      • Gate / Ducker: Threshold; -60 – 0dB
      • Attack; 50us – 100ms
      • Hold; 2ms – 2s
      • Release; 5ms – 5s
      • Range; 0 – 90dB
      • Key; Any Source
      • Key Listen
      • Freq/Width; 20 – 20kHz
      • Compressor: On/Off
      • Threshold; -60 – 0dB
      • Attack; 500us – 100ms
      • Release; 10ms – 10s
      • Ratio; 1:1 – 50:1
      • Gain; 0 to +40dB with Autogain Option
      • Link; Any Channel/Buss
      • Hi Crossover; 20Hz – 20kHz
      • Lo Crossover; 20Hz – 20kHz
      • S/C Source : Any source
      • S/C Listen : On/Off
      S/C Filter Freq/Width: 20Hz – 20kHz
    • Insert B: (Post EQ/Dyn) On/Off
    • EQ/Dyn Order: EQ/Dyn or Dyn/EQ
    • Mute: Channel Mute / Hard Mute
    • Solo: Solo Buss 1 / Solo Buss 2 / Both, Auto Solo
    • Channel Safe: Trim, EQ, Dyn, Fade/Mute, Inserts, Outputs, Full Safe
    • Output Routing: Outputs, Insert A, Insert B, FX
    • Fader: 100mm Motorised Fader ∞ to + 10dB