SCORPIUS

ON-AIR digital broadcast mixer

The Scorpius is a fully digital On-Air mixer. Its concept originates from the top-range broadcast consoles available on the market today. The core of the Scorpius is a sophisticated DSP engine. This processing engine involves the latest developments in DSP technology by Texas Instruments. An intense cooperation between T.I. and D&R has resulted in a digital audio mixer offering tremendous DSP power and a superb sonic quality.

Although the Scorpius is a digital console, it is operated with the same comfort as a conventional analog broadcast mixer. No fundamental concessions have been made towards reliability, high speed controller-response and system stability.

SYSTEM DESCRIPTION.

Over 24 stereo inputs are connected to a digital cross-point router and accept various formats of audio. This router actually is an integrated programmable patch-bay allowing you to send any of the input signals to any desired processing channels of the DSP’s. These processing channels consist out of a full parametric Eq-section and dynamics control application. The signal output by the DSP channel can be routed to main stereo busses. Every main bus is stereo and has dedicated analog outputs, but the bus signals can also be routed to a digital output as well. The bus routing is taken care of by means of a second cross-point matrix.

 Monitoring functions are handled by a third router, allowing you to realize any desirable monitoring preference 

HIGH LIGHTS.

• Less then 0,5 milliseconds propagation delay

• Digital I/O’s are 16/20/24 bit and supports sample frequencies from 32KHz to 96KHz

• Sample rate converters on all digital inputs

• EQ and Dynamic control on all processing channels

• All faders are labeled

• Real time info displayed on every module

• Integrated programmable digital patching system

• Remote connector per input. (GPIO’s)

• Remotes with Start, Stop (pulse/continuously)

• Auto Red light function

• Cue reset

• Fader, Switch or Cue start

• Timer and clock functions

INPUTS.

The Scorpius accepts all standard input formats ranging from microphone signals, analog line, AES/EBU, S/P-DIF coaxial, S/P-DIF optical. The mic inputs are electronically balanced and provided with individual phantom power switches and insertion points. Two N-1 connections give you the option to directly connect a hybrid to the console. 16 balanced inputs allow for connection of analog sound sources, 8 input accepting AES/EBU, 6 inputs designed for S/P-DIF coaxial and 2 S/P-DIF optical.

ROUTERS.

The audio-paths within the Scorpius are programmable due to the presence of three routers. This eliminates the need for an external patch-bay. The first matrix is situated between the input modules and the DSP. It allows a custom configuration of the various inputs into the 16 processing channels. A second router is located between the DSP and the consoles digital outputs. The third router is a high-end analog matrix and it enables you to create any monitoring configuration with great flexibility.

PROCESSING.

Signal processing takes place in two DSP’s. Processing uses precise floating-point calculations at a word-length of 32 bit. All audio signals throughout the console preserve their 24 bit resolution from the input conversion . Even 16 bit data streams, like CD-players, have 24 bits reserved. This way the audio data always preserves the sonic characteristics of the original input signal. Processing includes as well EQ as dynamics control.

The Eq section of the Scorpius consists out of a three band full parametric equalizer. All bands provide a boost/cut of 18 dB max. A Q-factor between 0.1 and 3 can be set within a frequency range from 10H to 20KHz. This applies for all bands. The LF-control features a special function. When attenuating, the LF band functions as a shelving filter. But when amplifying the LF band transforms the shelving function into a bell shaped curve. This prevents amplification of any unwanted subsonic frequencies.

DYNAMIC RANGE CONTROL.

The dynamic range control is a highly intelligent compressor. A lot of effort has been spend on creating a user-friendly yet effective dynamics control algorithm. One single control sets the amount of compression applied. The absence of ratio’s and thresholds allow fast and ‘instant-result’ adjustments during on-air situations.

BUS SYSTEM.

The 16 processing channels are fed to the main busses by means of a digital output router. The four system busses are: Program bus, Sub bus, Cue bus and Aux bus. The signal on each bus always appears in analog form on the dedicated output.

OUTPUTS.

The output router implements the option to output a bus in digital format. There are 6 AES/EBU or coaxial and 2 AES/EBU or optical outputs at your disposal that can be addressed via software. Every main buss has its own dedicated analog output. The Scorpius features eight assignable outputs in AES/EBU format, another six in S/P-DIF coaxial and two S/P-DIF optical.  Finally there is an output for control room monitoring and an output for studio monitoring. A custom signal configuration can easily be set up.

The totally software-controlled Scorpius secures absolute stability due to the industrial standard Windows NT© operating system. An optional TFT- Screen (1024X768) gives real-time information about the status of your system and the settings currently in use. This includes meters; routers control; channel and processing settings; etc.