Knowledgebase:
Example of Patching SQ to SQ
Posted by Alex Skinner, Last modified by Nicole Higgins on 28 February 2020 02:25 PM

Getting Started

Using the built in S-link and optional S-link cards, there are various methods that you can use to share audio between devices, giving you more remote I/O options or more than one surface to work from.

SQ to SQ via Slink

This is the simplest way to expand your system to two SQ surfaces. For example, you may be using one SQ for multi-track recording and one for a live broadcast feed, in which case your gain structure and dynamics are likely to be very similar. Start by linking the SQ surfaces together via the built in Slink with a Cat 5 cable. This allows for 128 x 128 channels of shared audio between consoles. On the first SQ, the inputs and outputs need to be assigned to the local sockets. Patching tie lines from the first desks local sockets to the second desks S-link sockets, allows for shared audio.

 

Here is an example of how to connect and patch one SQ to another:

Monitor Console

FOH Console

Monitor console patching:

Input channels 1-48 assigned to IO port 1-48 –
GX input sockets assigned to SQ input channels

Mix out (Stereo Aux 1-7) assigned to IO port 1-14 –
SQ monitor mixes assigned to GX outputs

IO port IP sockets 1-48 tie lined to SLink OP sockets 1-48 –
GX input sockets tie lined to FOH

SLink IP sockets 1&2 tie lined to IO Port OP sockets 15&16 –
FOH LR mix tie lined to GX outputs

FOH console patching:

Input channels 1- 48 assigned to SLink 1- 48 –
Tie lined GX input sockets assigned to SQ input channels

Mix out (LR) assigned to Slink 1&2 –
FOH LR mix to monitor console, then tie lined to GX.

 

Please note:

Any SQ can be connected to any SQ.

Any compatible stage box combination can be used in this configuration. You can find supported configurations here.

Any SLink port can be used for any compatible connection.

Using More than One Slink

Due to the Optional I/O Port on the back of the SQ, you can use one Slink card per desk alongside the built in Slink. Using the built in Slink, connect the SQ surfaces using a Cat 5 cable. This allows the two desks to share 128 x 128 channels of audio with each other. By using a Slink in the I/O Port of the first SQ and a Cat 5 cable connected from this to the ‘A’ port of the DX stage box, once patched, the inputs and outputs of the DX Stagebox can be recognised on the first desk from the I/O Port and on the second desk from the tie lines. By linking another DX box via the ‘B’ port of the first DX unit using a Cat 5 cable, you can use more tie lines to patch the inputs and outputs of the stage box to the second SQ.