‘Dual-Rack’ is a special setup mode for two iDR MixRacks.
It is to expand the number of input channels of an iLive system from 64 channels to 128, mixing to 32 mixes.
Any two MixRacks from the iDR family can be combined in this way, the system can then run stand-alone, be controlled by iLive Editor software on the network, PL remote controllers, and any iLive surface.
All parts of the system must be running V1.63 firmware or greater to set up ‘Dual-Rack’ mode.
How does it work?
Each MixRack has its DSP processing, 64 inputs x 32 mixes.
The units must be given unique names and IP addresses, this normally involves changing at least one of the MixRacks before they are connected together on the network and set up using a utility on the iLive Surface Touch-Screen, or Editor software on a computer.
The system is inspected for suitability (IP addressing, firmware versions, naming, digital I/O bridge compatibility), and then a ‘Master’ and ‘Slave’ status is created in the two MixRacks, the Master being the one which may be connected to an iLive Surface and will have its audio bridge for Surface I/O, PAFL & TB interconnection via Port-A.
The Master MixRack must also have a digital bridge for the 32 mixes from the Slave to the Master.
This connection is between Port-B of the Master to Port-A of the Slave, any format of iLive interface option can be used (currently EtherSound, MADI, or ACE) but if the Slave MixRack is one of the fixed-format types iDR-16, iDR-32, iDR-48, or iDR-64, then the link has to be ACE as port-A is fixed ACE in these units.
The setup automatically configures the Slave MixRack to have the same mix bus architecture as the Master and allocates these to appropriate channels of this Port-B~Port-A link. A large system of 128 input channels is created and these can be patched to physical inputs using the iLive Surface Touch-Screen or Editor interface.
Channels 1-64 can select from the Master MixRack inputs, Surface inputs, FX, or Port-A & Port-B free channels as sources.
Channels 65 and up can select only from the Slave MixRack inputs.
The Master MixRack 8 FX engines become the system FX, the FX on the Slave DSP are redundant.
N.B. FX can only be inserted into input channels 1-64, Slave MixRack inputs cannot source the Master 8 FX engines as insert points.
Outputs on the Master MixRack and Surface can be assigned directly from the Outputs menu on the Touch-Screen / Editor, signals can be sent via the Master Port-B link to the Slave MixRack, and then patched as sources from the Port-A tab of the Slave MixRack Outputs GUI.
This way the XLR outs of the Slave MixRack can provide alternative locations for system outputs if required.
NB. if the Slave MixRack is an iDR10 modular system with the CHK and MUTE LEDs, then these indicators would not function in this mode.