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Sound Reinforcement - Forums for Live Sound Professionals - Your Displayed Name Must Be Your Real Full Name To Post In The Live Sound Forums => LAB: The Classic Live Audio Board => Topic started by: Kevin Maxwell on April 29, 2021, 09:52:17 AM

Title: Digital mixers firmware increased channel count?
Post by: Kevin Maxwell on April 29, 2021, 09:52:17 AM
What digital mixers have increased their channel count capabilities with firmware alone? I am not referring to the hardware necessary to add more preamps. The one I am aware of is the Avid SC48 it went from 48 channels to 64 channels with just a firmware update. Are there any other ones that come to mind? 
Title: Re: Digital mixers firmware increased channel count?
Post by: Brian Bolly on April 29, 2021, 09:59:17 AM
What digital mixers have increased their channel count capabilities with firmware alone? I am not referring to the hardware necessary to add more preamps. The one I am aware of is the Avid SC48 it went from 48 channels to 64 channels with just a firmware update. Are there any other ones that come to mind?

Digico SD series.  The major one was the Core 1 to Core 2 jump, but there have been others (SD12 to SD12-96 for example).  And it wasn't just input channels, it was also Matrix size, aux/bus count, channel processing capabilities, number of FX slots, and control group counts.
Title: Re: Digital mixers firmware increased channel count?
Post by: Kevin Maxwell on April 29, 2021, 10:28:16 AM
Digico SD series.  The major one was the Core 1 to Core 2 jump, but there have been others (SD12 to SD12-96 for example).  And it wasn't just input channels, it was also Matrix size, aux/bus count, channel processing capabilities, number of FX slots, and control group counts.

No hardware involved in that move from the Core 1 to the Core 2?
Title: Re: Digital mixers firmware increased channel count?
Post by: Miguel Dahl on April 29, 2021, 10:47:36 AM
No hardware involved in that move from the Core 1 to the Core 2?

It's only software upgrade, no hardware upgrade. But the Core2 upgrade is not free, or cheap.
Title: Re: Digital mixers firmware increased channel count?
Post by: Chip Sciacca on April 29, 2021, 10:47:42 AM
Hi Kevin
 no hardware changes needed to upgrade the DiGiCos from Core1 to Core 2.  The original SD9 shipped as a 48 x 16 console with 8 dynamic EQs, 8 Multiband Compressors and 8 Tube emulators and 8 FX and now through only software updates it is currently a 96 x 48 with 155 DYN Eqs, 155 Multiband Comps, 155 Tube emulators and 12 FX units making the return on investment great for the purchaser.



No hardware involved in that move from the Core 1 to the Core 2?
Title: Re: Digital mixers firmware increased channel count?
Post by: Erik Jerde on April 29, 2021, 11:04:13 AM
It's only software upgrade, no hardware upgrade. But the Core2 upgrade is not free, or cheap.

I’d argue that considering the value added it’s quite cheap compared to the alternative of buying a larger desk.  The SD8 going from 60 to 120 channels was huge and well worth the cost.
Title: Re: Digital mixers firmware increased channel count?
Post by: Miguel Dahl on April 29, 2021, 01:26:38 PM
I’d argue that considering the value added it’s quite cheap compared to the alternative of buying a larger desk.  The SD8 going from 60 to 120 channels was huge and well worth the cost.

I agree, so we don't need to argue :) I just didn't edit my post to clarify after I posted, your answer was sort of awaited. My reference for what I said was a "normal" FW/version upgrade of any kind, which most often are free.
Title: Re: Digital mixers firmware increased channel count?
Post by: Keith Erickson on April 29, 2021, 03:49:37 PM
What digital mixers have increased their channel count capabilities with firmware alone? I am not referring to the hardware necessary to add more preamps. The one I am aware of is the Avid SC48 it went from 48 channels to 64 channels with just a firmware update. Are there any other ones that come to mind?

Soundcraft Si Impact went from 32+4 stereo to 64+8 stereo with the V2 update...free of charge.  32x16 on the back and 2 card slots (64x64 & 64x32) for stage boxes or other I/O

Lots of desk for around $2500 MAP
Title: Re: Digital mixers firmware increased channel count?
Post by: Andrew Broughton on April 29, 2021, 06:47:30 PM
Related but I understand this is not an answer the original question...

I much prefer console designs that use a DSP with full capabilities and then you can choose the size of control console you like. (dLive, Rivage), rather than having to live with the console size you picked based on channel count.
Title: Re: Digital mixers firmware increased channel count?
Post by: Frederik Rosenkjær on April 30, 2021, 03:04:45 AM
The Yamaha Rivage PM7 went from 120 to 144 channels in december with firmware 4.7
Title: Re: Digital mixers firmware increased channel count?
Post by: Joris Jans2 on April 30, 2021, 08:58:32 AM
What digital mixers have increased their channel count capabilities with firmware alone? I am not referring to the hardware necessary to add more preamps. The one I am aware of is the Avid SC48 it went from 48 channels to 64 channels with just a firmware update. Are there any other ones that come to mind?
Digico SD serie
Digico S-21
Soundcraft SI mixers (impact comes to mind)
Title: Re: Digital mixers firmware increased channel count?
Post by: Jordan Wolf on May 04, 2021, 08:56:54 AM
Soundcraft Si Impact went from 32+4 stereo to 64+8 stereo with the V2 update...free of charge.  32x16 on the back and 2 card slots (64x64 & 64x32) for stage boxes or other I/O

Lots of desk for around $2500 MAP
I've used the Expression and Impact consoles a bunch and they are a good value, but I have always found the lack of keying/sidechaining and AMM absolutely astounding. I can't think of a digital mixer that doesn't have [at LEAST] those built-in. Surely a firmware upgrade would be all that is needed - I think doing that would put them in a unique spot due to the fairly high channel count (80 mix channels on the Impact).