Hi A&H!
Wondering when there’s going to be more cards for the dLive? So far only the GigaAce and the Waves V3 will take full use of the 128/96khz capability, correct?
I don’t want to buy adapter and old Madi card, if there is a more capable and dLive specific card coming 
Regards, Tor
Hi Tor,
We are developing a fibre version of the gigaACE card, and a new 128ch 96kHz MADI card. I don’t have an ETA for MADI yet but definitely not this calendar year.
That is awesome Nicola. Will this MADI card also have Optical MADI? That would be a HUGE plus for Soundcraft Realtime Rack users
Regarding the Waves V3 card, I really hope you are planning to integrate preamp control from soundgrid/LV-1, that would really make your DM racks stand out!
Does GigaACE work via copper/fibre convertor? If so wouldn’t it be good to implement this already in GigaACE card? Or you prefer 2 cards instead - one with RJ45, other with fibre? For example, I have Auvitran convertor, that has nice MADI card with all possible interfaces.
ddff
Yes, gigaACE can work with fibre converters, see here:
https://support.allen-heath.com/Knowledgebase/Article/View/1152/0/gigaace-and-dx-networking-and-fibre-optics
The fibre optic version of gigaACE will have both EtherCon and F.O. ports.
Thanks for the info. Will the dual interface gigaACE card be significantly more expensive?
By the way, is gain tracking already implemented in FOH/MON split via gigaACE?
ddff
Hi Nicola.
So I have ordered a Waves V3 card. But I am a little curious about cable lengths and channel counts. Is the Waves V3 card supposed to be able to carry 128 Channels of 96khz audio on just a single Cat5e? And if so, what would be the maximum cable length? You should put up a manual/documentation on the website.
Regards, Tor
Hi Tor,
The Waves V3 manual and quick setup guide are on the Waves website here. On their website you can also find recommendations on cable specs and lengths but in short, 100m over CAT5e / CAT6.
Is the Waves V3 card supposed to be able to carry 128 Channels of 96khz audio on just a single Cat5e?
Yes! I too had to see it to believe it
Thanx! Now I’m even more excited
Gents, please, is there any update regarding gigaACE FOH/MON split? Is there some kind of gain tracking/compensation? If not, is it coming? What about 2 surfaces to one mixrack (half channels FOH, half MON)- is that still being considered?
ddff
To be honest, I find the whole idea of a digital split absolutely silly as long as A) There is no mention of gain tracking. And more importantly B) There is no DSP ONLY rack in the dLive range. Sorry, but I just think that is a HUGE mistake - I dont want to have to buy a DM32 just to have it fed with gigaACE split, and taking up 7Units in the rack. Then I’ll prefere the analog split any day.
Well, analog splitter with 64ch will be way bigger than 7U. The DM0 would be nice, but if agenda of having Mon split just with gigaACE card in single DM rack has some time line, then it’s a big bonus.
At the moment I’m using Dante, but quite often I run out of channels and patches become more complex with new Dante devices come into the game.
ddff
My 48 channel analog split takes up 3 units… On the opposite side of the rack even. So no, it will make no difference. The only really good thing would be launching a DM0 or DM16, maximum 4u rack space.
@ddff_lv Dual Surface and gain tracking are in the plan, but unlikely to happen within the next 6 months.
Nicola, any plans to implement preamp control from the waves LV-1 Software?
Regards, Tor
ahmm, you didn’t understand the Waves LV-1 approach? It’s a mixer by itself. You only need converters to run this. The whole dLive would be overkill
I don’t know what you are referring to, but your comment doesn’t make sense.
LV-1 from waves is a digital mixer yes, but it needs inputs. An obvious setup would be to have a dLive rack (with or without surface) on stage for monitor mixing, and using Waves V3 card to send to a FOH LV-1 setup. All I am suggesting is that it would be very useful to then be able to have control of the DM mixrack preamps and provide gain tracking from within the LV1 mixer. Especially if there is not a dedicated monitor engineer.
But why would you not use the dLive software at FoH? You could split 64 channels internally to have independent processing (and PAFL) at FoH. Is there anything the LV-1 does, that Director doesn’t?
Right now I am using director with a touchscreen setup and 2 x IP8, doing what you are suggesting. And I will be doing FOH and IEM with a 64/64 split on the dLive, supplementing with a few inserts via Multirack soundgrid, and a Digigrid IOS for I/O at FOH.
While it is fine, director simply is not nearly as well laid out and comprehensive GUI as the LV-1, and for a compact touch based FOH setup, the LV-1 is just a better option. So at some point I will move to the Waves Lv-1 or buy a surface. Depends on what I experience the following months of touring - but I would like for this setup to be able to tour in a very compact and flight-friendly package. Hence, no surface to begin with.
Furthermore there are a few things I would like to see evolve in the Director/IP8 possibilities.
What about Dante?
There’s a 128 x 128 at 96khz PCIe card available since dante’s inception - surely its easy enough to make this card work?
