ProAudio Review - April 2008 - (Page 54)

EUPHONIX Continued From Page 52 EASE OF USE The S5 Fusion control surface is extremely easy to learn and use, with its truly intuitive interface and screen display. It provides plenty of visual feedback, with convenient high-resolution LED meters beside each channel fader. A new charcoal finish for the channel-strip panels improves legibility and display contrast. Euphonix’ unique illuminated and touch-sensitive knobs instantly reset when settings are changed or recalled from memory. The center of each knob includes a switch that can be used for certain select functions, and/or to punch-in automation. A Spill function provides easy access to multi-format sources, by unwrapping them onto adjacent faders for trim and update. A total of 240 SnapShots of static console settings can be stored and recalled, together with 48 Layouts for different surface configurations. The external PatchNet router/patch bay accommodates from 256-by-256 for the base system to 1,024x1,024 signal paths for a fully loaded DSP SuperCore. Of course, comprehensive surround panning and monitoring is provided as standard, plus up to 7.1-channel metering via TFT high-res displays at the top of each channel that also map EQ, dynamics, pan and routing. Machine control also is available for Soundmaster, Colin Broad, Tamura and JSK systems. INSIDE THE MODULES The S5 Fusion control surface is supplied standard with three different types of modules: CM401-T Master Control Module with talkback; CM408-T eight-fader Channel Strip Module (three in the basic 24-fader setup); and CM411-J Joystick Module. Optional modules include the CM403- F/J Film Monitoring Panel with twin Joystick Module (to replace the CM411-J module) and a CM409-F Blank Module. While the standard frame supports a total of five modules, a larger frame accommodates seven modules. The surface connects to the equipment rack via standard Cat5 Ethernet cables, enabling remote location. MADI ports handle the primary I/O highways. The banks of channel strips are laid out much like a traditional analog topology. Each source offers two A/B inputs, phase reverse and gain trim. If mic pre-amps have been specified, the strip now features additional remote controls for remote gain, high/low input impedance, high-pass filter, phantom power on/off, etc. The four-band 20 Hz to 20 kHz parametric EQ section offers ±24 dB of gain (switchable shelving for upper and lower bands) and local variable EQ control. It is extremely flexible and sounds like Euphonix EQ; what’s more to say? Filters can be set to high pass, low pass, band pass or notch mode. Usefully, the later includes Q control and a “boost/listen” function that enables the audio to be auditioned without the filter in-circuit while identifying the problem frequency range – maybe a 60 or 120 Hz hum, or an unexpected noise problem. The dynamics section includes a combination compressor, expander and gate with hysteresis, key input and side-chain filter. An assignable section handles sends to 16 aux buses and group assign to 32 mix busses with multiformat panning, plus two direct outputs selectable pre/post-fader. Sources to each channel strip can be mono signals up to 7.1channel stems; the processing elements can be The S5 Fusion is a full integration of multichannel mixing and DAW playback for post, film, and broadcast. inserted in virtually any order between input and output, including 20 seconds of delay. Usefully, a choice of APL, PFL and SIP solo modes are available. Up to 32 mix buses can be configured as multichannel stems - Mono, Stereo, LCRS, 5.1, 6.1 and 7.1, plus custom configurations - for different production formats, such as a stereo mix section with two individual busses and a 5.1-channel stem. The targeted signal can be routed to all busses in that stem with/without pan inserted. Usefully, it is also possible to route to individual busses – a.k.a. Direct Assign – for each stem. (Maybe the center bus of a 5.1-channel stem.) Up to 16 mix stems may be configured and named. Pan mode available for multichannel stems comprise Front Pan, Surround Pan, Rear Pan, Boom Level, NonBoom Level, Divergence, Focus and Rotate. Stereo or surround sources – maybe a 5.1-channel pre-mix or audio sub-group – can be controlled from a single control strip referred to as Multi-Format Master, which dramatically simplifies routing. The 16 Aux Sends can be configured in mono or stereo pairs, with Aux Masters controllable from the center section. Single or dual meters above each channel strip can be set to monitor levels for Mix, Group or Aux bus. Metering is accurate to within 0.25 dB from 0 dBfs to -48 dBfs with clip indication. A handy green bar located to the left of each meter shows the approach to peak level. When set to be Multi-Format Master controlling stereo or surround stems, the metering automatically changes to reflect that mode. Up to 24 meter presets can be stored and recalled. Using the supplied eMix application, the Fusion’s seven processing sections - delay, metering source, insert point, EQ, filters, dynamics, fader and mute - can be arranged in any order, even as audio is flowing through the signal paths, the only limitation being that at least two adjacent channels must be re-ordered at a time. (Maybe EQ to follow dynamics, insert after the EQ or dynamics, and metering after the fader on channels one and two, or channels 1 thru 8?) Swap buttons enable single or multiple strips to switch between two layers, allowing 24 strips to control 48 sources. In addition, most critical sources can be moved to the central sweet spot – maybe dialog elements to the left and music sources to the right - with different layouts being saved for later re-use, complete with all appropriate knob and fader settings. The CM401T Master Module includes not only a fully assignable channel strip but all of the necessary master facilities, including monitoring, communications, bus masters solo, transport and automation controls. Selectable solo modes include Solo-In-Place (SIP), After Pan Listen (APL), Pre Fader Listen (PFL), Fader Backstop PFL and Solo Safe – useful for isolating effects returns from Solo-In-Place. A bank of eight knobs and function switches control the master faders between Group, Mix and Aux Bus Masters. A Master Fader handles controls of Mix Section output levels. In addition to the various console monitor sources up to 7.1-channel, as many as 24 external devices can be accessed from the center section. The monitor matrix automatically selects the appropriate format to match the source. Each of the monitor outputs - CR, Mon A, B, C, D – features individual level and source select buttons with eight-character labeling plus Dim and Mute. The primary Control Room can be routed to the Main Monitors, Alt 1, or Alt 2; this output also can be folded down – maybe 5.1 to LCRS, stereo or mono. (How these multichannel outputs combine, and the appropriate level adjustments, are usefully controlled via a bank of 24 user presets.) Other functions include talkback, listenback, oscillator and slate. In addition to SnapShots – up to 240 per title - all important S5 Fusion parameters can be automated dynamically to timecode, including faders settings, EQ, pans, aux send levels, dynamics and DSP in/out. Automation is writable in sections or as continuous moves throughout the length of a Title. Read/write modes include Isolate, Read, Write Absolute, 54 | ProAudio Review | April 2008 Subscribe to the Digital Edition of Pro Audio Review http://www.myparmag.com www.proaudioreview.com http://www.proaudioreview.com http://www.myparmag.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of ProAudio Review - April 2008

ProAudio Review - April 2008 Contents A Little More Recognition Please Studio News and New Products API 1608 16-Channel Analog Console TASCAM X-48 Digital Audio Workstation SSL Matrix Super Analogue Console Toft Audio Design Series ATB Analog Console KRK Systems Exposé E8B Powered Monitor Broadcast News and New Products ZOOM H2 Portable Digital Recorder Producing Surround Sound at 50th Grammy Awards JBL LSR4312SP Linear Spatial Reference Powered Subwoofer Audio Production For Gaming Euphonix S5 Fusion Digital Post Production Console NAB Hot Gear Soundcraft Vi6 Digital Live Production Console Go To A Show! Contracting News and New Products Studio Consoles Studio Wireless Microphones Alicia Keys “Superwoman”

ProAudio Review - April 2008

For optimal viewing of this digital publication, please enable JavaScript and then refresh the page. If you would like to try to load the digital publication without using Flash Player detection, please click here.