DiGiCo SD7 User Manual

SD7 Operation Manual

User Manual - Getting Started

To be read in conjunction with the SD Series Software Reference

User Manual Version D for Software Versions 4.0.680+

0-1

SD7 Operation Manual

Copyright © 2014 Digico UK Ltd

All rights reserved.

No part of this publication may be reproduced, transmitted, transcribed, stored in a retrieval system, or translated into any
language in any form by any means without the written permission of Digico UK Ltd. Information in this manual is subject to
change without notice, and does not represent a commitment on the part of the vendor. Digico UK Ltd shall not be liable for any
loss or damage whatsoever arising from the use of information or any error contained in this manual.

All repair and service of the SD7 product should be undertaken by Digico UK Ltd or its authorised agents. Digico UK Ltd cannot
accept any liability whatsoever for any loss or damage caused by service, maintenance, or repair by unauthorised personnel.

Software License Notice

Your license agreement with Digico UK Ltd, which is included with the SD7 product, specifies the permitted and prohibited uses of
the product. Any unauthorised duplication or use of Digico UK Ltd software, in whole or in part, in print or in any other storage
and retrieval system is prohibited.

Licenses and Trademarks

The SD7 logo and SD7 name are trademarks, and Digico UK Ltd and the Digico UK Ltd logo are registered trademarks of Digico UK
Ltd. Microsoft is a registered trademark and Windows is a trademark of Microsoft Corp.

Digico (UK) Ltd
Unit 10
Silverglade Business Park
Leatherhead Road
Chessington
Surrey
KT9 2QL
England
Telephone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]
WWW: http://www.digiconsoles.com

Manual Issue and Date: Issue D - April 2014 - For Version 4.0.680+ Software

Licence Agreement

"Product" : SD7 software product produced by Digico UK Ltd intended for use on Target Platform identified below.
"Target Platform": Digico SD7 Digital Console system.

In return for the payment of the one-time fee, the Customer (identified at the end of this Agreement) receives from Digico UK
Ltd a licence to use the Product subject to the following terms and conditions.

1. The Product may be used without time limit by the Customer on the Target Platform.

2. The Customer must register the Product with Digico UK Ltd. Registering the Product is deemed an acceptance of the terms and
conditions in this agreement.

3. The Product and its licence are not transferable, and the Customer is not permitted to onward-license to any third party. The Cus­tomer indemnifies Digico UK Ltd against any and all claims and actions arising from third party use of copies of the Product made by
the Customer.

4. The Customer agrees not to attempt to decompile the object code of the Product otherwise than in circumstances specifically provided
for by law, and then only after consultation with Digico UK Ltd.

5. The Customer agrees not to use, or licence the Product for use, with equipment other than the Target Platform.

6. The Customer agrees not to modify the Product without the prior written consent of Digico UK Ltd.

7. This Agreement applies to any enhancement or upgrades that may become available for the Product.

8. This Agreement does not transfer any right, title, or interest in the Product to Customer except as specifically set forth herein.

9. Digico UK Ltd reserves the right to terminate this Agreement upon breach, in which event Customer shall thereafter only be authorised
to use the Product to the extent that its contractual commitments to third parties require and then only where such commitments relate
to use of the Product as authorised in the foregoing provisions of the Agreement.

LIMITED WARRANTY - Digico UK Ltd warrants for a period of 1 year from the date of purchase of the Product, the Product will reason­ably execute its programming instructions when properly installed on the Target Platform. In the event that this Product fails to execute its
programming instructions during the warranty period, the Customer's remedy shall be to return the Product to Digico UK Ltd for replace­ment or repair at Digico UK Ltd option. Digico UK Ltd makes no other express warranty, whether written or oral with respect of this
Product.

LIMITATION OF LIABILITY - Except as otherwise expressly provided by law, (a) the remedies provided above are the Customer's sole
and exclusive remedies and (b) Digico UK Ltd shall not be liable for any direct, indirect, special, incidental, or consequential damages
(including lost profit whether based on warranty, contract, tort, or any other legal theory.)

This agreement is made under the Laws of England.

LICENCE NO:..................... ..........................................................

REGISTRATION DATE: ..... ..........................................................

0-2

SD7 Operation Manual

Contents

1.1 The Console ............................................................................. .......1-1

1.2 Manual Overview ..................................................................... .......1-1

1.3 Before You Start ....................................................................... .......1-2

1.3.1 Worksurface Layout .............................................................1-2

1.3.2 Layers and Banks.................................................................1-3

1.3.3 Using the Control Surface ...................................................1-3

1.3.4 The Assigned Channel.........................................................1-4

1.3.5 The Master Fader ..................................................................1-5

1.3.6 Channel Types ......................................................................1-6

1.4 Hardware Configuration.......................................................... .......1-7

1.4.1 Connections..........................................................................1-7

1.5 Software Configuration ........................................................... .......1-8

1.5.1 T emplates ..............................................................................1-8

1.5.2 Session Structure Overview ................................................1-8

1.5.3 Audio I/O Overview................................................................1-9

1.5.4 Opto V220 (DiGiRacks) and Opto V221 (SD Racks) .........1-10

1.5.5 Automatic Conforming .......................................................1-10

1.5.6 Network & Mirroring ...........................................................1-10

1.5.7 Single SD Console System ......................................... .......1-11

1.5.8 Manual Conforming of Racks ............................................1-12

1.5.9 Rack Sharing ......................................................................1-13

1.5.10 Assigning Faders to the W orksurface..................... .......1-14

1.6 Saving and Loading Sessions ....................................................1-15

1.7 Audio Sync .....................................................................................1-16

1.8 Routing Basics ....................................................................... .......1-17

1.8.1 Selecting Inputs & Outputs ................................................1-17

1.8.2 Ripple Channels .................................................................1-18

1.8.3 Channel Names ..................................................................1-18

1.9 Channel Processing .............................................................. .......1-19

1.9.1 Dynamic EQ ........................................................................1-19

1.9.2 Multiband Dynamics ...........................................................1-20

1.9.3 Auxiliaries ............................................................................1-21

1.10 The Matrix ............................................................................. .......1-22

1.11 Control Groups..................................................................... .......1-23

0-3

SD7 Operation Manual

1.12 Multi-channel formats.......................................................... .......1-24

1.13 Solo Setup............................................................................. .......1-25

0-4

SD7 - Getting Started

1.1 The Console

The Digico SD7 consists of a worksurface with dual redundant audio engines and a range of onboard inputs and outputs. This
can be connected to multiple Input/Output Rack Units by optical fibre and/or MADI links, which carry all the audio input and output
signals.

The console worksurface consists of 3 sections that can be configured to control up to 254 input/output channels, up to 36
VCAs, 128 busses and 32 Matrix Inputs and Outputs.

The left and right sections have 12 assignable faders and 12 sets of assignable on-screen channel controls, the centre section
has 24 assignable faders and 2 pairs of assignable master faders.

The console's buss architecture is dynamic, and can support mono, stereo, LCR, LCRS and 5.1 configurations.
Multiple console setups can provide:
Front of House and Monitoring with shared stage racks and gain tracking.
Remote control of one console from another console or from a laptop computer.

1.2 Manual Overview

This manual provides an overview of the desk, and describes some of the basic operating principles which the user will need to
understand in order to run the desk.

For full details on all SD software functionality please refer to the SD Series Software Reference Manual available for download
at www.digico.biz

The following typographical convention used in this manual: An arrow bracket (>) is used to indicate a sequence of button
pressing. For example, Layout > Fader Banks indicates that the

Fader Banks button is accessed by first pressing the Layout button.

1-1

SD7 - Getting Started

A
A

ALT Input Switch

Assignable R otary Scrollers

Meter View Switch

Q

C

Video & Talkback

Phones

Sol o 1 & 2 Controls

rs

rs

1.3 Before You Start

There are certain general operating principles and terms that should be understood before continuing to use this manual.
Please read this chapter carefully before proceeding.

1.3.1 Worksurface Layout..............................................................

Left & Right Sections

Input Gain and Phase

Rotary Resolution

2nd Function

Aux Scroll

Option/All

ssignable Rotaries and Switches
ux / Pan / Dynamics/FX Controls

Mute and Interactive LCD

Function Bu tt on

Channel Fade rs

Centre Section

High and Low Pass Filters

4 Band Dynamic Parametric E

Multiband Dynamics
Threshol ds & On / Off

Channel Inserts A & B On/Off
Direct Out On/Off

Dedicated Aux Rotari es
Joystick

Hard Mute & Full Safe
Channel Scroll & Undo/Redo

Layer Switch

Channel Fade r Banks

A/B Engine Switch

Rotary Resolution

Screen Scrol l

Channel Fad ers/Mutes &

Graphic EQ Controls

LCD Function Buttons

hannel Faders/Mutes &

LCD Functi on Buttons

Dynamic Automation
Snapshot Controls

Monitoring Matr ix

Macros
Fader Flip

Channel Fader Banks &
Assignable M as ter Fade

Channel Fader Banks &
Assignable M as ter Fade

1-2

SD7 - Getting Started

1.3.2 Layers and Banks .................................................................

The SD7's worksurface is divided into Layers and Banks. Each Bank contains twelve channels, and the channels which are
currently active on the control surface are defined using the fader bank and bank layer buttons to the right of the Channel Strip
section’s faders:

A ‘bank’ is a set of twelve faders, and a ‘layer’ contains up to six ‘banks’. There are up to 3 ‘layers’ in each section of the desk,
allowing up to 216 channels to be accessible on each worksurface section.

Pressing the bank layer button, located above the fader bank buttons, toggles between layers.

To access a bank of faders within that layer, press the appropriate fader bank button. To switch all three sections of the
console to the same bank level, press and hold one of the fader bank buttons.

The specific channels which are contained within each Bank is defined in the Layout > Fader Banks display. By default, the
Input channels will be assigned to Layer 1 on the left and right sections of the console. The different output channels will be
assigned to Layer 2 and also to the upper centre section. Control Groups will be assigned to the lower centre section. These bank
assignments can be customised by the user and saved in a session at any time. Holding any bank or layer button down for a
couple of seconds will switch all 3 worksurface sections to the same bank level or layer.

1.3.3 Using the Control Surface ....................................................

There are two main ways in which all of the functions of the SD7 are accessed:

1. The touchscreen display, which can be controlled directly using a finger, or by using the keyboard and mouse

2. The physical encoders, switches and faders.

Note that when touching the screen directly, you may find it easier to use a finer point than your finger.
However, in order to prevent damage to the screen, it is important that you only use devices specifically
designed for touching screens (such as a pda stylus), and that you never press down hard on the screen.

A number of functions can be accessed in different ways, allowing users to operate the console using whichever interface they
prefer. This manual will describe accessing on-screen functions by touching the screen directly and not by using the mouse.

All of the physical controls found in the centre section are described in full within the relevant section of the manual and many
require no further introduction.

The Master screen has a row of grey buttons accross the top, which are used to access a range of configuration displays.
Pressing these buttons opens either a further drop-down sub-menu or a pop-up display. If a drop-down menu is opened, pressing
on one of its entries will open a pop-up display. The buttons lighten to indicate that their sub-menu or pop-up display is open. A
number of the buttons within each pop-up display generate further pop-ups.

Generallly, buttons within the pop-ups are coloured grey when their function is inactive, switching to a colour when their function
is active. Pressing on a text box opens a numeric or QWERTY keypad which can be operated directly by pressing the screen or
via the console’s external keyboard.

Pop-ups are closed by pressing the box in the top right-hand corner of the pop-up, marked CLOSE or CANCEL (or by pressing
CAN on keypad pop-ups).

1-3

SD7 - Getting Started

To the right of the Master Panel is a single encoder marked Touch-Turn (shown below). This is used to access any rotary
controls within the Master Panel. To assign the Touch-Turn encoder to a particular on-screen pot, touch the pot to be assigned.
You will notice that a coloured ring appears around the on-screen pot, indicating that it is assigned to the Touch-Turn encoder.
The colour of this ring is unique to that control, and is also reflected in the base of the Touch-Turn encoder, providing further
indication of which pot is currently assigned to it.

1.3.4 The Assigned Channel .........................................................

One of the channels in the Channel Strip panel is displayed in gold, indicating that it is currently the Assigned Channel. This means
that it has been assigned to the worksurface controls and can be configured in detail, as described below. To Assign a channel,
touch anywhere in the channel on the screen except the Aux Send area of the input channels. Alternatively, use the ch left and
right buttons at the bottom of the channel worksurface controls to scroll through the channels in the panel:

Note that these left and right arrows are duplicated in the channel Setup and Output displays.

Note also that the Channel List display provides another method for assigning a channel to the worksurface
controls.

Once a channel is Assigned, all of the controls for that channel which are not displayed within the channel strip itself can be
accessed via secondary pop-ups, displayed by touching inside the relevant area of the channel. These pop-ups include controls
such as input and output routing and signal processing parameters.

A number of the physical rotary encoders on the control surface can be assigned to different on-screen pots. In order to ensure
that it is clear which function is assigned to which encoder, the assigned on-screen pot will have a coloured ring around it which
will be reflected in the colour of the light around the base of the encoder on the control surface.

The twelve encoders and buttons immediately above the Channel Strip panel (shown above) refer to the channels with which
they are aligned. These controls are concerned with the channel input, located at the top of the Channel Strip panel.

The three rows of encoders and buttons immediately below the Channel Strip also refer to the channels with which they are
aligned. Normally, these control the level and on/off status of the three highlighted aux sends, but can have a number of functions
assigned to them. Touching on an aux send on the screen will assign that aux and the ones immediately below it to the aux
encoders. Six aux sends can be displayed in the Channel Strip panel at any one time. If more than six aux sends have been
created in the session, the scroll button outside the bottom left-hand corner of the screen can be used to scroll the display
through the remaining auxiliaries:

1-4

The controls to the right of the Channel Strip panel allow the Assigned channel to be adjusted:

SD7 - Getting Started

The top half of the channel worksurface controls (down as far as the insert a, insert b and direct buttons, as shown above)
control the signal processing parameters which are displayed in the pop-ups accessed by touching in the appropriate section of
the active channel. The bottom half of the channel worksurface controls is concerned with output routing.

To the left of the Channel Strip panel are more channel controls: When pressed, the 2nd function button allows access to
different parameters:

1) Stereo Aux Pan and Pre/Post switching

2) Hard Mute of a channel

3) Switching of LR or LCR panning

4) Fine adjustment of Delay settings on output channels

2nd function is indicated by a green 2nd Function display appearing in the bottom left-hand corner of the screen, as well as by
the 2nd function button lighting with a ring of green.

The Option/All button has 2 main functions:

1) When pressed and released, any channel that is a member of a gang will be temporarily isolated from that gang.

2) When pressed and held, any parameter that is adjusted on a single channel will also be adjusted in the same way on all
of the channels in that bank

1.3.5 The Master Fader..................................................................

By default, the lower master faders are both assigned to the master group output, which is the lowest stereo group output by
default. In addition, the master faders can be assigned to the solo buss outputs. The ASSIGN FADERS function can be used to

assign any other function to these faders.

1-5