Card Function Overview
The local rack card frame contains the following components.
(Top Row)
GPIO Card with Relay Contacts
Provides a second, independent set of GPIO, which will be controlled by the GPIO page of the Control
Surface. The inputs are opto-isolated and the outputs are SPST relay contacts. For a pin-out list see chap-
ter 16.
Bridge Card
Provides the connection from the Local Rack to the Control Surface. Houses a QNX embedded processing
system which controls all the audio processing in the rack.
DSP Pro (2 off)
Houses 12 x Hammerhead SHARC chips, which process all audio for the system.
Audio Clock
Provides clock connection to external equipment, both in and out. The wordclock input options are Video
clock, standard wordclock or AES/EBU sync clock. Any of these can be used as a wordclock source for the
console. The console permanently outputs standard wordclock and AES/EBU wordclock for sync purposes.
(Bottom Row)
Line In
Each card provides 8 x transformer isolated analogue inputs at line level. The card has a signal present
indicator for each input. Analogue to digital conversion is handled by a 24 bit ADC.
Line Out
Each card provides 8 x transformer isolated analogue outputs at line level. Card provides 8 x DAC. Clock
received from backplane. The 3
card is used for the analogue monitor outputs, and to send phones L & R
rd
to the control surface.
AES/EBU Card Input SRC
Card handles 8 x AES input and 8 x AES output. Inputs are sample rate converted so no external clock is
required. Inputs have signal present indication. Sample Rate Conversion (SRC) can be disabled using
internal jumpers if required.
HD Card
Communicates with the first DSP Pro on the top row of cards. It passes digital audio along with control
data and status information about the cards loaded into the frame. Each pair of links can handle up to 96
channels in both directions. The HD card is responsible for working out what cards are loaded into the
system and configuring it accordingly. The RECONFIG button on the front panel of the Local Rack will force
a re-polling of the loaded cards to reconfigure the console.
Mic Card
Provides 4 x Mic input for Talkback and local Mic input. The card has 8 indicators, 4 indicators for signal
present at the mic input and 4 indicators for the phantom power status.
MADI Card 1
This card is used to connect the Local Rack to the Stagebox. This card passes up to 64 channels of audio
in each direction between the stagebox and local rack, normally configured as 64 ins and 32 outs. The
card also sends control data to the stagebox, as well as receiving information about the status of the
stagebox cards. The second input on the card can be used to increase sample rate to 96kHz (this will also
require additional DSP and isn't available yet) or provide redundancy. It also carries clock and control data.
The 9-pin D-type connector can carry independent RS422 serial data from local rack to stagebox. Lock
LED indicates clock lock between local rack and stagebox. Wordclock output can be used as a W/C source
when connecting two consoles to one Stagebox.
MADI Card 2
A second MADI card is fitted to the right of the first card. This second card is used for connection to an
external MADI device, such as a MADI recorder, and will always be fitted with optical connectors. It is
possible to select either 56ch or 64ch MADI mode, depending on the connected device.
Merger Card
The D-type connectors on this card are not used. This card is used only for internal communications.
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Soundcraft Vi6™ User Guide