DiGiCo bridges SD7 and SD5 with Quantum638
DiGiCo bridges SD7 and SD5 with Quantum638
DiGiCo has announced its latest addition to the Quantum Range, the Quantum638 mixing console, with an optional Quantum638T version designed specifically for demanding theatrical productions. Combining the best elements of the SD7 and SD5 with the latest Quantum technology, the new desk gives theatre sound teams a familiar yet more powerful worksurface with quicker access to cue firing and Macros for musicals, plays, tours and installs where speed, redundancy and compact control are critical.
“We took the best elements of our time-tested SD7 and SD5, and combined them with the latest Quantum tech to create the ultimate Q6,” says DiGiCo managing director Austin Freshwater. “With its compact footprint and familiar operator-focused layout, the Quantum638 is an ideal worksurface for theatrical tours and installs, as well as live concerts, festivals, and houses of worship. Built for both today’s productions and tomorrow’s demands, our newest Quantum console provides a platform that feels familiar on day one, reducing operational effort under pressure and delivering modern capabilities without compromising trusted workflows.”
Positioned between the Quantum852 and Quantum338 Pulse, the console provides 256 input channels and 128 aux/sub-group busses alongside a 48x48 matrix. Processing includes 128 Nodal Processing instances, 64 Mustard Processing strips and 16 Spice Rack slots, with onboard Dante and a built-in Fourier Interface Card providing native compatibility with Fourier Audio's transform.engine.
Three 17-inch high-resolution touchscreens sit above 38 100mm touch-sensitive motorised faders, with additional displays providing metering and channel information. Enhanced Macro controls include four channel Macros that follow the selected channel through different console layouts, while assignable Macroder rotary encoders can control programmable parameters on the currently selected channel. A new InfoBar keeps information including snapshots, timecode and system warnings permanently visible.
The Quantum638 marks the first time that DiGiCo has offered a Quantum console in both single- and double-engine configurations, the latter of which can be run in single-engine mode.
“Engineers often have strong preferences one way or the other, so providing both options within the same platform is a significant step for us,” sais DiGiCo head of product Digby Shaw. “Customers who choose the dual-engine version can also operate it in single-engine mode if they wish, so it’s the best of both worlds.”
The desk is said to be particularly well-suited for the theatre market when paired with the manufacturer’s optional “T” theatre software extension, which adds adds Auto Update, Aliases, Players, advanced CG programming tools and Matrix Nodal Delays. With a footprint close to the SD7, DiGiCo is positioning the console as an upgrade option for theatres requiring greater processing capability without substantially increasing the space occupied by the worksurface.
Both engine configurations include dual DMI card slots and hot-swappable PSUs, while each engine provides a MultiMode Optocore interface supporting 504 additional audio paths at 48kHz and 96kHz. An optional second Optocore loop can double this capacity.
