MX32 AES inputs

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ctclark1
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MX32 AES inputs

Post by ctclark1 » Sat Oct 06, 2012 11:27 am

The Digitool MX32 has two separate AES inputs. However as I'm here playing with the software (I tend to do this before making recommendations to buy certain pieces of equipment, so I can get a feel for how they work/what can be done, etc), I did change the dropdown to MX32 so I have all 16 channels of inputs and outputs showing on the matrix, but there doesn't seem to be any way to differentiate which AES input is being used when I switch channels over from Mic/Line to AES L/R. How is this done (or is the second AES input not fully functional yet?)

Also, in both MX16 and MX32 modes, it appears to let me select more than one set of inputs to AES - I'm currently looking at the window puzzled that I have three channels (1, 3, 5) all selected as AES L - does this simply mean that the AES input would get sent to all three of these in the matrix? Or would the Digitool end up throwing some kind of error were I to actually connect to one and try to program it this way? And if it just sends the AES to all three, that returns to my original question on the 32 - how do you assign the second AES input to the matrix?

Sorry for the lengthy question - I'm strongly looking towards recommending this as a replacement for our very aged X-Frame at work and just want to make sure I understand it fully before I do and then discover that something doesn't work as I had hoped it would. (We had two X-Frames, and lost one early on this year to a blown DSP, so we've been very careful to "tiptoe" around the other one so we didn't lose that at a critical time with no backup components).
Chris - Lead Technician/Audio Specialist
Technical Services Coordinator @ Darien Lake Theme Park Resort

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JoshM
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Re: MX32 AES inputs

Post by JoshM » Fri Oct 12, 2012 1:49 pm

Hi Chris,

I have finally received some clarification on how those AES inputs are supposed to work. Be aware, this description is correct for the Digitool HD software version 1.2.7 or newer. If you have an older version, there is a bug with how things are displayed.

So, you have one AES input for the first 8 channels and another AES input for the second 8 channels. If you want to use the AES 1 input, you will select on any of the odd channels to use the AES L input, then on the next higher even channel you should select the AES R input. If you attempt to select the AES L input on an additional odd input, it will not work. You can only assign an AES input to ONE pair of channels at a time and AES Input 1 only works on channels 1-8 while AES Input 2 only works on channels 9-16.

This is a slight quirk, but I assume if you are using the AES inputs, you are either not using the analog inputs or are using fewer of them. So, remember that each AES inputs replaces a pair of analog inputs.

Hopefully this is clear, if not, I'll try to describe it better.

Thanks!
Josh
Josh Millward
Danley Sound Labs
Burnt Orange Studios

ctclark1
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Re: MX32 AES inputs

Post by ctclark1 » Fri Oct 12, 2012 11:29 pm

"1.2.7" - is that firmware on the Digitool or the DHD software on my computer? Only download for computer I can find is 1.09... Granted as I mentioned I don't have the device yet so that's not a biggie at the moment. (Though if I'm reading correctly, the bug you mention in the older software only refers to how the AES inputs are displayed when chosen, not anything else to do with how the configuration is actually done, correct?)

So AES1 is routed to whereever I assign AES L and AES R in channels 1-8, and then the same for AES2 in 9-16... Understood, and doable.

And yes, I knew that the AES inputs where basically taking away a pair of analog inputs, also fine.

Thanks as always Josh. This is just one of the reasons I lean towards Peavey products whenever I can at work - great tech support before and after the sale. (Even when dealing with our 14+ year old X-Frame, which is what the MX32 is being slated to replace in one venue, the X-Frame will then be moved to "less critical venue" duty... 14 years and its still going strong, but after our other X-Frame in said less critical venue failed a DSP chip earlier in the summer, I'd like to avoid the possibility of that happening in our main venue.)
Chris - Lead Technician/Audio Specialist
Technical Services Coordinator @ Darien Lake Theme Park Resort

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JoshM
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Re: MX32 AES inputs

Post by JoshM » Sat Oct 13, 2012 3:18 am

ctclark1 wrote:"1.2.7" - is that firmware on the Digitool or the DHD software on my computer? Only download for computer I can find is 1.09...
I am pretty sure this is in reference to the "Digitool HD" software for your computer. It is a new build and it was uploaded to the web server. It should be live whenever the website updates. Regardless, it is a higher revision than either the unit's Firmware and the PC software.

So, the short story is, check back soon for more website updates and download the latest version!

You should note, if you attempt to "double assign" an AES input to channels 1&2 and 7&8, it will only be assigned to the first one you assign, the second assignment will remain on the Analog inputs. This holds true for the 1-8 and 9-16 channels separately.
Josh Millward
Danley Sound Labs
Burnt Orange Studios

ctclark1
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Re: MX32 AES inputs

Post by ctclark1 » Sat Oct 13, 2012 10:03 am

Copy that.


Thanks again Josh!
Chris - Lead Technician/Audio Specialist
Technical Services Coordinator @ Darien Lake Theme Park Resort

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JoshM
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Re: MX32 AES inputs

Post by JoshM » Sat Oct 13, 2012 1:12 pm

ctclark1 wrote:Copy that.
Thanks again Josh!
No problem Chris! I'm glad to help.

That new Digitool platform is a mighty nice product. I hope the rest of the marketplace finds it to be as excellent as I do. The old DigitoolMX was pretty popular, but I'm hoping this will be able to out-do it. I expect it will replace your old Original X-Frame and give you more functionality at a fraction of the price.

Good luck and have fun out there!
Josh Millward
Danley Sound Labs
Burnt Orange Studios

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