The Reincarnation of the D5 Live: DiGiCo SD5

Over the last ten years the British audio console manufacturer DiGiCo has made huge advancements in technology. The D5 Live series was discontinued, but a praised live audio console. DiGiCo decided due to the advancements made, they would be re-releasing the D5 Live as a new addition to their SD line, as the SD5. With the release of their Stealth Digital Processing, the SD5 comes with the same state of the art proprietary mixing technology included in all the new SD model consoles. The progression of Stealth, and DiGiCo’s “green” mentality, SD5 is setting the standards for high-end console applications. The SD5 incorporates the Hidden-Til-Lit or HTL technology, which by use of sensors can determine usage, and make the control surface lit, and active upon touch. Three TFT LCD screens occupy the surface, while the two outer are for monitoring channels, auxes, matrixes, etc. The inner screen is for utilizing the home menu page that can navigate you to effects, graphic equalizers, and other essential plug-ins.

In my personal opinion I feel like it’s the SD line’s processing capabilities is what makes it so special, it is quite appealing aesthetically, but it’s quintessential speed and power is what makes it shine. Running 2 GB fiber optic lines internally, with the capability to service 448 channel in and outs that processes at 96kHz its functionality is unsurpassed. MADI controlled proprietary SD Rack allows for greater I/O usage. SD5 comes with 124 input channels, 56 buses, and the ability to mix in full 5.1 surround sound. The SD5 has 24 assignable dynamic effects, stereo time based effects, and 32 graphic EQ’s assignable to any channel.  With the new merger of Waves, DiGiCo now offers all Waves effects packages in their consoles.

During my time as a Full Sail student in Show Production and Touring I ran what was called “Open Digital Labs.” These were labs available to students Tuesdays and Thursdays welcome to all Show Production students. The digital labs offered you the chance to mix on all the digital consoles available in Live 1 at Full Sail Campus. These consoles included the Avid Venue series, and the DiGiCo SD7, as well as the SD8. Becoming quite familiar with the integration and configuration of the DiGiCo SD line I’m quite interested in seeing more information released on the SD line. The seamless mixing, and lightning fast speeds makes DiGiCo the leading name in digital consoles. 

References:

http://www.prosoundweb.com/article/digico_unveils_the_new_sd5_live_audio_mixing_desk_at_prolightsound_2012/?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter#When:13:09:13Z

http://www.digico.biz/index.shtml