PL10 working

I tested the PL10 device, and it works brilliantly. Using the 8 rotary knobs, you can control the levels of your channels, the aux sends for each channel etc. The 16 push knobs at the top allow you to select different scenes. For now, just a picture showing the levels for the first 8 channels on the tablet and on the PL10.

One problem I found was that when the tablet is unplugged, the PL10 stops responding for almost a minute. This is a problem since I planned to use the PL10 as backup in case the tablet has some problem. I've been told that A&H is aware of this problem and is working really hard on fixing it.

Soon, I'll do some digging around on the network protocols to see what is actually happening on the cables.

IDR32 and PL10 arrived

Today the IDR32 and PL10 arrived!

The tablet and IDR32 work!

First test is connecting the tablet to the IDR32 with a network cable. The process is fairly simple: connect the tablet to the IDR32 with the network cable, set the IP address of the tablet to 192.168.1.10 (netmask 255.255.255.0) and run the ilive editor.

Some problems did occur. First, I had to update the firmware of the IDR32 to match the editor (V1.70). Second, when I connected the system said something about a connection error. There were no problems at the next try, but this is something to keep an eye on in the future. Finally, it seems that the pad is turned on default for the input channels. When connecting my SM58, I had to turn up the gain significantly to get any signal and the resulting background-noise was terrible. Of course, when I figured out the pad was turned on the problem was solved.

Now we have a nice system and can start playing with wireless, the PL10, multitrack, etc!

The firmware needs updating

Updating the firmware is simple

First connection attempt failed

Second attempt succeeded

Don't forget to turn of the PAD!

IDR32 and PL10 are on its way

We have ordered the IDR32 and PL10 @ TMaudio, and they will arrive tomorrow or the day after! We are really looking forward to testing this system, the tablet is already in place and we also have some poor-mans multi-track playback system.

ilive IDR32, tablet, ipad, T112 demo

On Wednesday, Gijs and me traveled to Utrecht to meet Martijn from TMAudio. He responded to my e-mails inquiring about the possibilities of using a mixrack and tablet by inviting us over to play with the system. In three hours time, we learned a lot about the system and the possibilities.

Martijn is showing Gijs the ipad app

I must say, the ilive system sounds incredible and has real good potential. Martijn started of by showing us the T112 surface in combination with the IDR32 mixrack. All processing is handled by the mixrack and the surface is just one very big remote with many nice and shiny buttons and faders. Another way to control the mixrack is using a laptop or tablet using the ilive editor software. Also, there is an app for the iphone (iTweak) that has the ability to change basic channel levels and EQ. Finally, there will be a nice ipad application that has the ability to perform many of the editor functions. You want to use the ipad over the tablet because it has multi-input, which allows you to change the levels of multiple channels simultaneously. Martijn is working closely with Allen & Heath of the development of this app and therefor has a beta version of this app, allowing us to actually try it out. When the app is released (in 2 month time), it will be a really nice way of controlling the mixrack!

T112

The control of the mixrack is performed using a computer network connection. This means that you can also use a wireless router that connects to the mixrack and use your ipad and tablet from anywhere in the room or stage. The ilive surfaces are also connected using a cat5 network cable to the mixrack, but use a different protocol (ACE) which combines the control with some channels of audio. These audio channels allow the surface to receive the PFL and allows some local input/output (at the back of the surface). These audio channels are not possible when using the ipad or tablet.

In three hours time, Martijn showed us a lot about the system and we were able to make a basic mix on the T112, the tablet and the ipad using the multitrack we brought with us. It is a bit slower to build a mix from scratch then using a normal surface with faders and such. However, when the basic mix is made, the control is more then adequate to mix the rest of the show. In our case, we will need to perform a sound-check once (and spend much time on that to make it right), save it, and recall it whenever we need it.

We ordered the IDR32 with the PL10, which is a small controller you can connect directly to the mixrack. This controller gives us direct access to all channel levels and aux sends, in case something goes wrong.

I'll write much more information when we receive the IDR32!