d&b audiotechnik has announced a series of integrations between the DS100 Signal Engine – the heart of its Soundscape 3D audio system – and digital mixing consoles from DiGiCo, Avid and Lawo. The announcement was made at live mixing sessions at Prolight + Sound 2018, which showed the console workflows and mixed live multitrack recordings at a large-scale demonstration venue.
This follows earlier announcements of integration partnerships with QLab show control systems, TTA Stagetracker and VST plugin formats.
The newly announced collaborations open up bi-directional interoperability with the DS100 via plug-ins operating on the Open Sound Control (OSC) protocol. Using a plug-in, engineers can work with their existing console and DAW workflows, but bring the settings for object-based positioning and room emulation directly onto the console surface for each individual channel. The positioning settings can then be stored in the mixer’s scene memory.
The d&b Soundscape plug-ins will be available for the complete DiGiCo SD-Range, the Avid VENUE S6L and the Lawo mc. The integration with Avid will also include a plug-in for leading DAW software Pro Tools.
“Soundscape represents a significant evolution in the creation of sound environments and how audiences experience sound,” said Ralf Zuleeg of d&b audiotechnik. “To bring that power to our customers in the real world, we understand that Soundscape must integrate smoothly with existing audio control workflows. Through the implementation of plug-ins utilising VST, AU and AAX formats and the OSC protocol, we ensure that the creative process for the designers and mixers is at one with their vision for the sound design.”
Lucas Zwicker, technical product manager from Lawo, noted: “We wanted to improve the workflow when working with multi-loudspeaker installations by bringing console and loudspeaker matrix closer together. With having R1 directly in our console’s GUI and adjusting the parameters of Soundscape objects right out of the selected channel strip, we can now achieve this.”
DiGiCo managing director James Gordon said: “DiGiCo has worked closely with d&b on numerous world tours and large-scale theatrical productions, so integrating with the d&b Soundscape to maximise its creativity is something our clients would expect to see from us.”
Al McKinna, director of live system product management at Avid, added: “Avid is excited by the creative possibilities offered by the deep onboard integration that the d&b Soundscape offers our customers. Immersive audio systems are set to transform the live sound industry and we are excited to partner with a pioneer in this field to aid the proliferation of this revolutionary technology.”
The DS100 Signal Engine is a high-performance audio processor with Dante networking and a 64 x 64 level and delay matrix, which features extensive input and output processing and two optional software modules that enable object-based mixing and acoustic room emulation capability.
