SPS Post 4: DiGiCo SD10

SD10: Live Digital Console with Stealth Digital Processing™

The DiGiCo SD10 is capable of 96-channels with full processing, 12 of which can be configured as full Flexi Channels, allowing a total of 108 simultaneous input channels; 48 assignable busses - mono or stereo groups or auxes; 16x16 output matrix (up from 16x12); Dual Solo buss; Smart Key Macros, accessed via four layers of ten backlit keys; Snapshot control with relative update and offline facility; Onboard insertable FX and graphic EQs; the addition of 16 DiGiTuBes.

It has a 15" touch screen, and 37 motorized faders with high resolution bar graph meters. The surface is made of anodized aluminum overlaid with polycarbonate panels. Every fader, button and control knob is back-lit for working in dim conditions, and at the same time, the touch screen is bright enough under daylight conditions. The scribble strips are user-definable, and use RGB backlit LCDs.

The console is to be used with D-Rack, SD-Rack Stage rack and local I/O. The local I/O on rear of console has 8 mic ins, 8 line outs, 8 mono AES I/O, 2 MADI connections with redundant cabling connections, 16 GPI & GPO connections, with option to expand to 32 GPI and GPO, word clock synchronization with external devices.

There is the option feature set that can convert the SD10 into the SD 10B, specifically designed for broadcast.

Interfacing options include MADI, Optocore, Dante and analog connectivity. Up to 14 racks and five redundant-engined consoles on an optical loop can be connected.

For recording, there is DiGiCo's MADI-based multitrack recording I/O, a fully integrated system that allows all internal and Waves effects to be recorded as well.

SD10 Nitrous gives an expanded amount of processing power for EQ, compressors, FX. No fewer than 10 Dynamic EQ processors can run simultaneously, allowing expansion and compression on all 4-bands of the parametric EQ. Stealth Digital Processing allows for 24 graphic EQs to be inserted and controlled, 10 Stealth stereo effects units to be used from the 33 available, and allows for the processing units to be switched from scene to scene.

For even more effects, there is Waves integration available. With the Waves SoundGrid module added and the DiGiCo SD10 console linked to external computer, there will be the ability to use 16 ultra-low latency Waves stereo processor racks, plus TDM plugins after registration.

There is the ability to take the surface into an "offline" mode, and edit snapshots without affecting audio. The 40 user-definable Macros and snapshot flexibility help workflow efficiency.

It has two internal "Hot Swap" power supply units for redundancy, and two 75Ω redundant BNC connections for using the MADI protocol for digital audio transmission.

The console is similar to the SD7 in the way it uses Super FPGA technology with floating point processing for smoothness, accuracy and dynamic range. It can be said that the SD10 is at a level between the smaller SD8 and large-format SD7, in terms of both price and features.

I feel that this console has the layout that DiGiCo users and accustomed to, with added expandability and interfacing options, and yet will be more affordable than the industry-leading SD7. For a mid-range production, the SD10 would be a good option to consider.