Dual-Rack input
expander
You can link 2 MixRacks to expand
to 128 input channels feeding the 32 mix buses using the Dual-Rack function. It does not increase the number
of mix buses.
One MixRack becomes the
'MASTER', the other the 'SLAVE'. Any size of MixRack may be linked in this
way.
Audio is linked by connecting
Slave Port A to Master Port B Link 1. Control is linked by connecting a Slave NETWORK port to
Master NETWORK port using a separate CAT5 cable, or by bridging the network over ACE as shown
below:
Note -
-
The MASTER processes CH 1
-64
-
The SLAVE processes CH 65 -
128
-
The Surface connects to the
MASTER MixRack
-
Surface audio is within
CH1-64
-
Fit compatible cards in Master
Port B and Slave Port A
-
Use Slave Port A (ACE for fixed
format MixRacks)
-
Dual-Rack takes over Master
Port B channels 1-32 inputs
-
Inserted FX are only possible in
the MASTER
-
Channels in different MixRacks
cannot be ganged
-
Both MixRacks are controlled by
one Surface
-
Surface and both MixRacks are on
the same network
-
Assign Surface strips from
either MixRack
-
Preamps in one MixRack cannot
assign to the other
-
Each MixRack must have a unique
Name
-
Each MixRack must have a unique
IP address
-
Both MixRacks must run the same
firmware version
-
This version does not support
Dual-Rack mic split
-
This version does not support
offline Editor
MASTER Port
B inputs 1-32 are
reserved for receiving buses from the SLAVE. Inputs 33-64 are user assignable. Outputs
1-64 are user assignable to route signals from the MASTER to the SLAVE if required.
SLAVE Port
A outputs 1-32 are
reserved for linking its buses to the MASTER. Outputs 33-64 are user assignable to
route other slave signals to channels or sockets on the Master. Inputs 1-64 are user
assignable to patch outputs from the MASTER to the SLAVE if required.
SLAVE Port
B is available for
networking audio between systems, to other devices or for recording. It is not used for
Dual-Rack combining.
Note - Setting a SLAVE resets its parameters. If you
want to keep the settings in the MixRack then archive a User Show before configuring it
as a SLAVE.
How to set up
Dual-Rack:
-
Set unique IP
addresses for each
MixRack before connecting them together. If you are not sure reset all addresses and
then change the address of the MASTER MixRack to 192.168.1.4 (instead of 1.1)
before connecting the SLAVE. Use the Surface UTILITY / Network / Network
Settings screen.
-
Set a unique
Unit Name for
each MixRack. This identifies each rack in the system. For example, you could call
them 'Master' and 'Slave', or 'Rack1-64' and 'Rack65-128'.
-
Check the
MASTER Port B Mode setting in the MIXRACK / Mixer Pref screen. Typically choose 'Redundancy Off: In1-64 from
Link1'. See here for information.
-
Link control
and audio between the two MixRacks. Audio links via
Slave Port A to Master Port B. Control links via the Network. Link using two cables.
Or, if you are using a single cable ACE connection then remember to plug in the short
CAT5 cable provided to bridge the network over the Master Port B ACE
connection.
-
Add the
SLAVE. Go to
the Surface UTILITY / Network / Dual MixRack
Setup screen.
Information on the Master is displayed. Touch Add Slave to open up a list of available MixRacks on the
network. Highlight a rack and touch Inspect to display its information. Apply to add the MixRack as the Slave.
The MixRack reboots and resets its parameters.
-
Patch audio
to sockets on the SLAVE if required by routing signals via Port B
of the Master. Select the MASTER from the drop down menu in the Surface / OUTPUTS
screen and map the required sources to the port
channels. Map them from Slave Port A to its output sockets by
selecting the port sources to the sockets.
Note - If you want to use Slave Port B for other audio
networking check the Master Port B ACE Mode setting is correct for your application. Go to the Mix Rack Setup / Mixer
Pref / Port A/B Setup screen and choose one of the three Port B Mode
settings. These affect how many inputs are available from Slave Port B. A description is
provided for each.
Note - A MixRack that is currently set as a Slave will not
reboot as a Master. If you are unable to change its status using the Dual MixRack
Setup screen
then reset its network settings to restore normal operation as a
Master.
Note - A Show archived on a Dual-Rack system stores settings from
both MixRacks. If you re-use the Show on a single rack system and then re-archive it
from that system, the SLAVE MixRack data will be lost.
For more information on the
Dual-Rack feature and its system architecture please refer to the Allen & Heath web site.