Product details
How it works
The Soundscape 32, together with one of the two supplied iBox 48-MADI-TA, connected via their three TDIF ports, make up the heart of the system. The Soundscape 32 is also connected to the host PC via the PCI Host Interface card, which must be installed in the computer (Host Interface card and cable supplied). The Soundscape Editor software is installed on the PC and is used to control the Soundscape system. So you get the software benefits of a large screen display, comprehensive editing facilities and the Soundscape Mixer, which is a fully user-configurable virtual console of unrivalled flexibility - ideal for routing your audio streams in a live setup - and the advantages of dedicated DSP-powered audio hardware such as zero latency, utmost reliability and pristine audio quality.
The Mixpander/9 card must also be installed in the host PC. It connects to the Soundscape 32 unit via its Expansion Bus port (cable supplied). While the Soundscape 32 itself has enough DSP power to run a basic mixer for 32 tracks, and handle more audio streams, with some group channels and a few effects and processors, the Mixpander allows you to take full advantage of the Soundscape software mixer, with dozens of instances of exclusive high-end plug-ins from the likes of our parent company SSL, or third party specialists such as TC Electronic, Drawmer or Cedar Audio. But that's not all… the Mixpander also provides 48 channels of audio streaming simultaneously in both directions between the Soundscape 32 and the host PC. This allows VST and VSTi plug-ins to be inserted at any point in the Soundscape Mixer (the VST and VSTi plug-ins run on the PC processor, so they do introduce latency and for this reason we would recommend using them at mixdown). And finally, the Mixpander is identified by Windows as a soundcard, so it can be accessed by any audio application running on your computer (for instance Gigastudio). The Mixpander is supported by true multi-client, MME, WDM, DWave, GSIF and ASIO-2 drivers.
The hard disk frame with removable caddy can be installed in the host PC to install a Soundscape formatted hard disk as a " virtual Soundscape unit", for an extra 32 record/playback tracks. These tracks use the Mixpander audio streams and work without latency, just like the "DSP tracks" of the Soundscape 32.
The Soundscape 32 unit is equipped with 2 balanced analogue inputs, 4 balanced analogue outputs, 2 AES/EBU / S/PDIF inputs, 4 AES/EBU / S/PDIF outputs (AES/EBU or S/PDIF selectable for each channel pair via internal jumpers) and 24 TDIF inputs and outputs via 3 TDIF ports. The first of the Soundscape iBox 64-MADI-TA unit connects to the three TDIF ports (TDIF cables supplied), so that these 24 inputs and outputs can be converted to MADI or analogue. The iBox 64-MADI-TA itself features 24 balanced analogue inputs and outputs and 64 MADI inputs and outputs (besides its 3 TDIF ports).
In a live situation:
- The Soundscape 32 and iBox 64-MADI-TA can be linked to the Front of House console via 28 analogue output channels (24 from the iBox plus 4 from the Soundscape 32).
- They can be linked to the stage setup via the second iBox 64-MADI-TA, connected to 24 of the first iBox's input channels.
This probably sounds a bit complicated… until you realize how easy it is to handle the routing to and from the inputs and outputs using the Soundscape Mixer! It's really simple to set up the configurable virtual mixer to receive 24 channels from the stage, record them, and/or send them to the FOH console.
If you wish to control the Soundscape DAW system from a laptop PC when working live, you can use the Parallel Port Interface cable to link it to an EPP compatible parallel port. However, please note that in this case you will not be able to install the Mixpander, which is a full size PCI card. VST/VSTi plug-ins and the extra, native recording/playback tracks will therefore not be available.
The Audio Toolbox provides a starter set of basic, DSP efficient yet good-sounding mixing tools, currently including: Dynamics (compression, limiting, gating, expansion), Chorus/Flanger, Multitap Delay and Dithering (the Soundscape Mixer also comes with M/S decoding, EQs and more).
The Time module is an essential set of audio editing tools for timestretching and time compression, pitch shifting and sample rate conversion.
Optional extras
This Soundscape Editor pack can be enhanced with optional extras including:
Soundscape users
Soundscape systems are the first choice of many high-profile users and facilites worldwide. For live applications, you can check out the "In Focus" interviews of Kasim Sulton, who is in charge of Meat Loaf's live shows as musical director (and bass player). You can also read other user interviews and see the full "Public User" list.
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