HARDWARE COMPONENTS

VENUE is a modular system that can be custom-configured for a range of live sound applications. Its basic components include the D-Show™ mixing console, FOH (front-of-house) Rack (which houses the system’s mix engine), Stage Rack (with recallable, remote-controlled preamps), and multi-channel digital snake.

The system’s highly expandable architecture allows up to 96 mic inputs, 16 stereo effects returns, 27 buses, eight mono matrices, and eight stereo matrices, all of which provide a new level of flexible signal distribution. Stereo matrices can be treated as a monitor submixer and controlled remotely by the artist using the optional Digidesign® Personal Q™ (PQ) monitoring system. The powerful mix engine provides EQ and dynamics processing on every input channel, along with 24 assignable graphic EQs and built-in support for TDM plug-ins.

All mixing surfaces and racks offer dual-redundant power supplies and are purpose-built to measure up to the highest reliability standards in the industry. VENUE also offers direct hardware and software integration with industry-standard Pro Tools® digital audio workstations via a simple digital connection, without the need for any audio interfaces.



D-Show Mixing Console

The result of several years of design and ergonomic refinement, the D-Show™ mixing console was developed with input from leading mix engineers in touring sound, theater, houses of worship, and other fixed installations.

The console offers an intuitive and manageable interface to enable control of a large number of inputs from a smaller mixing surface while giving you the flexibility to expand the console surface with up to three Sidecars to reduce the need for layering or assignment by the user.

FOH Rack

The FOH Rack houses the D-Show™ digital mix engine, embedded control computer, and additional hardware option cards, providing connectivity at the mix position for inserts or auxiliary devices that need to reside near the engineer.

• Up to five DSP MIX engine cards for a total count of 45 DSP chips
• Analog and digital two-track connections
• Intercom facilities
• Outputs for near-field speaker monitoring
• MIDI connectors for remote control of outboard devices or MIDI Time Code synchronization of snapshot automation during a performance.
• Optional IOx card for additional analog and digital I/O
• Optional HDx or FWx cards for Pro Tools® recording and playback
• Optional second snake card allows connection of one additional Stage rack for increased mic inputs count

Stage Rack

The Stage Rack handles I/O for stage mic/line sources and output signals. A single Stage Rack accommodates up to 48 remote-controlled mic preamps and converters, and up to 48 outputs. The Stage Rack connects to the mix engine via the digital snake system. A remote head-amp architecture ensures that sensitive mic signals are converted to digital as close to the source as possible, preserving maximum audio fidelity.

• Up to 48 analog inputs with mic preamps (8 for each SRI card)
• Up to 48 analog outputs (8 for each SRO card)
• Up to 2 Stage Racks can be connected to a VENUE system for up to 96 channels of I/O and preamplification
• Optional Digital Stage Input (DSI) cards provide up to 48 digital inputs per rack*
• Optional Digital Stage Output (DSO) cards provide up to 48 digital outputs per rack*
• Optional Personal Q monitoring system

* A single Stage Rack supports up to a maximum of 48 channels of I/O (analog and digital)

Mix Rack

Mix Rack combines the functionality of the FOH Rack and Stage Rack into one compact rack, offering an integrated and more affordable audio I/O and DSP processing solution that works with D-Show and D-Show Profile consoles.

• 48 analog inputs with mic preamps (48 max.)
• 16 analog outputs (expandable up to 32 with optional output card)
• Two DSP Mix Engine cards (expandable up to three for a total of 27 DSP chips)
• Comes with D-Show 2.7 software and VENUEPack 3.0
• Compatible with D-Show and D-Show Profile
• Optional HDx card provides up to 64 channels of Pro Tools|HD® recording/playback
• Optional FWx card provides up to 18 channels of Pro Tools LE® recording/playback
• Optional AO16 Analog Output Card provides 16 line outputs (XLR)
• Optional XO16 Analog/Digital Output Card provides 8 analog line and 8 digital AES outputs
• Optional AT16 A-Net® Output Card provides 16 channels of A-Net output for personal monitoring
• Optional AI16 Analog Input Card provides 16 mic/line inputs (XLR) for replacement purposes

D-SHOW SOFTWARE

With the industry’s easiest, yet most comprehensive graphical user interface, D-Show™ software sets new standards in efficiency and workflow. Just a single button push or click from any screen gives you instant access to any function of the system. The powerful D-Show powerful filing system offers straightforward management of all files while also letting you back up or quickly transfer files to another D-Show console with a simple USB key. A standalone version of D-Show software is available for Windows XP, allowing you to prepare shows on a laptop and then transfer them to VENUE via a simple USB key.





Inputs

The Inputs tab provides a graphical interface for all controls directly related to a selected input. Quickly scan the status of all input level meters, mutes, safes, and solo switches, as well as all relative input fader positions. Route plug-ins, dynamic key inputs, and direct outputs, all from this window.




Outputs

The Outputs tab provides a graphical interface for all controls directly related to a selected output. In addition to being able to set plug-in and direct output assignments for a selected output, you can also patch and operate the on-board 1/3- octave graphic equalizers, adjust matrix mixes, and assign and monitor the membership of any aux, subgroup, or VCA.




Filing

The Filing tab takes you to D-Show software’s powerful file management system. Examine the currently loaded system configuration and manage all libraries, including console-wide settings, show folders, shows, factory and user preset libraries, and plug-ins. All library settings can be easily synchronized with, or moved over to, a USB storage key. In addition, the Filing tab allows you to access history files so you can undo errant actions and restore a console state to just minutes prior to the action.


Snapshots

The Snapshots page is command central for storing and recalling settings on the D-Show console in snapshot form. Build up to 999 snapshots that capture every console setting, then select the scope of the recall, which can range from changing a single channel parameter, fader position, plug-in setting, or MIDI function to resetting every single D-Show control, including the digital patchbay. Desired settings and changes can be distributed quickly and easily across selected scenes with an innovative propagate function and relative or absolute edit mode.

Patchbay

Use the Patchbay to effortlessly patch all VENUE inputs, outputs, and external devices, including Pro Tools recording systems. Name all inputs and outputs easily from the QWERTY keyboard to reduce setup times. Unique safety features prevent you from inadvertently “stealing” patches from inputs or outputs already in use in another part of the system. All patches and names can be stored on a per-scene basis allowing comprehensive use of snapshots for demanding festival situations.


Plug-ins

Use the Plug-ins tab to access the 100 plug-in slots that are distributed evenly across four user-defineable “racks.” Instantiate plug-ins for a given show or dictate patch order for the four plug-in slots per input and output.





Options

The Options tab gives you access to the nerve center of the VENUE live sound environment. Choose input counts and bus configurations. Enable HDx or Stage Racks as input sources. Choose pickoff points and sources for auxes, subgroups, and matrices. Set metering ballistics, solo, and channel safe settings. Verify all system component interconnections, and manage and install plug-ins on the embedded host computer. The Options tab gives you all this control and more under one very logical, simply organized page so you never lose your way during system setup.


PLUG-IN PROCESSING

One of the VENUE system’s most compelling features is its ability to use TDM plug-in effects. Since its introduction more than 10 years ago, the TDM plug-in architecture has become the de facto standard for high-resolution effects processing. Used on countless commercial recordings and in post production studios worldwide, TDM plug-ins have become essential tools for modern audio production. With exclusive access to these coveted plug-ins, VENUE is bringing the world of TDM effects processing to all live sound applications.

The vast majority of digital live sound consoles limit you to a single family of built-in EQ, dynamics, and effects-processing tools, or require external hardware to achieve a studio-quality mix. With VENUE, you can use the finest emulations of analog and digital outboard processing and innovative new signal processing tools available today.

VENUEPack Plug-Ins

Every VENUE system comes loaded with VENUEPack, an outstanding collection of some of the most sought-after TDM effects processing plug-ins from Digidesign and Digidesign Development Partners. To give VENUE systems even more processing power, VENUEPAck Pro, a selection of additional high-quality plug-ins comes bundled with the optional Mix Engine DSP card.

Factory Installed Plug-Ins

The factory installed plug-ins comprise an essential collection of high-quality real-time effects and utilities.

PRO TOOLS INTEGRATION

VENUE offers the most streamlined, reliable, and economical integration of industry-standard Pro Tools® recording and playback capabilities. Since VENUE can also serve as the audio interface for Pro Tools, you can make professional 128-track recordings without the need for additional I/O or preamps — saving tens of thousands of dollars in additional dedicated interfaces.

Virtual Soundcheck

Easily produce live multi-track recordings that are ready for further editing and mixing in a commercial studio or stereo mixes that can be distributed immediately — all without having to worry about sound-compromising file conversions or time-consuming file transfers. Using Pro Tools as a playback source, you can augment live performances with studio tracks or conduct “virtual soundchecks” to refine console settings without the presence of performers.

HDx

Select the HDx option for an easy, direct connection between the D-Show mix engine and a Pro Tools|HD® system. With this option, you have access to up to 128 simultaneous tracks of recording or playback without the need for additional audio interfaces.

FWx

Connect VENUE to a desktop or laptop computer running Pro Tools LE™ software via a simple FireWire connection to record or play back up to 18 tracks simultaneously. No additional audio interfaces are required.


VENUE SPECIFICATIONS




D-Show Main Unit Mechanical Specifications

D-Show Profile Mechanical Specifications

D-Show Sidecar Mechanical Specifications

D-Show Main Unit plus Sidecar Mechanical Specifications

D-Show Stage Rack Specifications (Maximum Configuration)

D-Show FOH Rack Specifications (Maximum Configuration)

Audio Specifications

- VENUE Consoles

- Stage Rack

SRI Analog Input Card

SRO Analog Output Card

DSI Digital Input Card

DSO Digital Output Card

- FOH Rack

FOH Rack IO (Standard)

FOH Rack IOx (Optional)

Console Connections

Snake