Digico's new SD12 console was introduced at the Winter NAMM Show held January 19-22, 2017 in Anaheim, Calif.
In their 15 years on the digital mixer scene, UK-based Digico has become known for making powerful, high-quality mixers for touring companies, theaters and larger houses of worship. They've also pushed into lower price points with their S series mixers in recent years, making Digico an option to smaller churches. At the recent Winter NAMM Show, Digico unveiled their new SD12 mixer, a mid-level, compact digital console that pulls in features from both their higher-end and less-expensive models. For churches with a healthy mixer budget and advanced requirements, the SD12 represents a new opportunity to use some of the high-end features Digico is known for in the touring, broadcast and theater markets.
While the new SD12 is currently shipping, we won't have an opportunity to review it until late spring or summer. Here's what we do know: At first glance the new SD12 features two high-resolution 15-inch touchscreens that are 50% larger than the screens on the Digico S21 or S31. While the new SD12 is a compact mixer surface, the mixer's interface as much about screens as faders and knobs. These large screens allow for quicker access to mixer parameters, as well as the ability to dedicate the right-hand screen to master functions or even have two operators at the console. Knobs adjacent to each screen line up with specific on-screen parameters in various modes and are designed for an intuitive collaboration between touch screen and hardware rotary encoders. If you long for more screen real estate, an “overview” output will connect to a third monitor to show channels and levels at a glance. Having two full-size screens puts the SD12's interface a step above the less-expensive Digico S-series mixers and many other mid-level consoles.
Digico is big on color and visual feedback, and the SD12 brings in some of the visual interface features of its larger brethren. LED RGB color rings around rotary encoders allow knob color to change based on function and context. Digico's HTL (hidden ‘til lit) technology finds its way down from the higher-end consoles, using these color rings to visually highlight or downplay control areas based on mode. Add to this vivid level metering on faders, dedicated gain reduction and gate status indicators from the larger SD7/SD5. We suspect churches unfamiliar with the colorful Digico world will be pleasantly surprised at how the SD12 is a feast for the eyes. More than just pretty, though, the SD12's color cues should make the interface more intuitive and faster to use.
Digico designed the SD12 to integrate well into nearly any production environment.
Beneath the touchscreens sit two banks of 12 faders with level metering and LCD channel name indicators. On the far right side of the SD12 sit two faders assignable to any input or output; these have stereo level metering. Above these master faders sit controls for the board's snapshot automation, solo busses, and five banks of five user-definable macro buttons.
Processing power of the SD12 is considerable, giving it the ability to juggle 72 inputs, 36 aux/group busses, a 12x8 matrix and LR/LCR buss--all with a full complement of processing at 48 kHz or 96 kHz sampling rate. Signal processing includes 12 stereo effects units, 16 graphic EQs, 119 dynamic EQs, 119 multiband compressors and 119 Digi-TuBe processors. The latter are designed to offer tube-like harmonic distortion with controls for drive and bias. Input count and processing appear to be generous for a console at this price point, though having the option to turn some of the 36 busses into inputs would be a plus.
Audio I/O on the SD12 is minimal: eight analog inputs and outputs, plus four AES pairs in each direction. What it offers in lieu of analog jacks is a wide variety of digital networking options to connect to stage boxes, other mixers and a diverse complement of gear across many audio standards. With dual DMI card slots that offer support for MADI, Dante, Waves SoundGrid, A-Net, Hydra 2 and more, there's almost nothing the SD12 can't connect to. Optional Optocore support allows the SD12 to sit on a digital audio network with other SD-series mixers. Finally, a UB MADI port allows recording of up to 48 individual channels for live recordings or virtual soundchecks.
It's plain to see that Digico set out to make the SD12 integrate well into nearly any production environment, something churches with sophisticated systems will really appreciate.
Beyond audio networking, the SD12 offers a number of remote control options. An iPad SD remote app gives remote control over mixer functions, working both as a remote controller and an extension of the existing touchscreens (for additional macros, for example). Offline software allows for mixer setup from a computer with no mixer attached. Remote control protocols include OSC, Ross, 16-pin GPIO for audio-follows-video and show control, serial/MIDI (for MMC and MTC), MIDI remote and OLab support. With so many control languages spoken, SD12 is able to integrate with most automation and control systems.
With a list price near $40,000, the SD12 isn't for every house of worship. Those shopping this price range, however, should definitely put the SD12 on a short list of mixers to test. We look forward to doing the same ourselves.
