So here is the idea I’m having:
using a SQ-Rack for monitors with all its 16 Inputs,
sharing these inputs with my SQ5 at FOH
and also using one DX168 (channels the band doesn’t need for IEMs, but I need for FOH).
Would that work?
I would say you would need an additional SLink card and would have to accept that the gains of the SQ-Rack are adjusted there and probably those of the DX168 too if you want to connect them to the SQ-Rack as well.
Yes, that would work but you indeed need an extra SLink card in the SQ Rack. The build-in Slink output can be connected to the DX168 and the extra Slink card is needed for the Connection between the SQ rack and your FOH SQ. The main preamps are controlled by the SQ Rack and via TieLines you can send al the inputs to the FOH-SQ5. In the SQ5 you can control the preamp via Trim-control.
You’ll need an SLink port to connect the two consoles together. This will “use” the built in port. This means that whichever console you also want to connect the DX168 to, you will need an additional SLink port by adding the SLink expansion card to the available slot. It doesn’t really matter which console you connect it to, the DX stage box I/O will be available on both consoles (assuming everything is routed correctly).
Thanks for your help.
So just to get everything right:
I get myself an Slink-Card, put it in the SQ-Rack, so I get 32 inputs on the stage. All gains are set on the SQ Rack and that is connected to the SQ5 at foh with Trim-Control to manage gain here.
Right?
Gain for local inputs is controlled locally, but the DX168 can be controlled by either desk – or both, but that’s generally a bad idea.
My question is why do you need the SQ-Rack at all? You can get the same number of inputs with a second DX168, you will have control of all gains at FOH, and you’ll save about $1,000.
Yes.
I would say the DX168’s gains can only be controlled by the console it’s connected to - in this case, by the SQ-Rack.
I don’t believe that is correct. The preamp gains on the stage box will only be available on the console that the stage box it plugged into. All inputs on all the consoles will have a digital trim control however, which is really how any gain changes should be made after the initial sound check where the preamps should be set to an appropriate gain and then left alone.
That is correct. The monitor SQ rack will have 32 analog inputs and 20 analog outputs and the FOH SQ5 will have 16 analog inputs and 12 analog outputs available. Any of this I/O can be made available on either or both consoles. It just comes down to how you decide to route it.
PS - it really doesn’t matter which port (between the built in SLink port or the added SLink expansion card) you plug the second console into and which port you plug the stagebox into. Either port can be used for either function. It will just need to be routed correctly. My earlier post could have made it sound like you had to connect the two consoles together using the built in ports. That is not an actual limitation of the system.