Allen&Heath iDR0 - Manual (Page 6)

6 iDR0 User Guide
Welcome to the iDR0 MiniRack
The iDR0 is a compact, rack mountable unit housing the ‘brains’ of the iLive digital mixing system. It
features a 64 input x 32 bus architecture with full channel and mix processing together with 8 internal
effects processors. Unlike the bigger iDR10 unit, the iDR0 has no provision for fitting audio input and
output cards. Instead, it gets its audio via the EtherSound digital audio network. This provides a
compact solution for split FOH/monitor/recording applications or for stand alone systems where all
the audio is available at the rear of the iLive Surface.
The two main applications for the iDR0 are:
Split FOH/Monitor - Two iLive systems are linked using a single set of microphone preamps loaded
into one rack. One system uses an iDR10 which has 10 slots for loading the input and output
modules including the mic preamps. The second system uses the smaller iDR0 which has no audio
slots and gets its channel sources from the first via an EtherSound ‘digital splitter’. This can be more
convenient, space saving and cost effective than loading two sets of preamps and using a bulky
analogue splitter. One engineer has control over the preamp gains affecting both systems, while the
second engineer has digital channel trims to make additional adjustments.
Compact stand alone mixer - The more compact iDR0 MiniRack can be used in place of the larger
iDR10 MixRack to create a high quality small format mixer with all its audio inputs and outputs
available on the rear of the Surface. Four card slots allow up to four input or output modules to be
fitted providing a total of 32 sockets. For example, a typical format may be 24 inputs and 8 outputs.
If you take into account the 8 internal stereo effects processors this provides the equivalent of an
analogue console with 24 mono inputs plus 8 stereo inputs (returns) and 16 outputs (including the
effects sends). In addition, further inputs and outputs may be connected via other EtherSound input
and output devices.
The 2U case houses three plug-in modules – the iDR-64 ‘Rack-Extra’ DSP mix engine, CPU control
module with network, MIDI and PL-Anet interfaces, and RAB remote audio interface module with two
EtherSound network cards fitted as standard, digital clock, and a headphones output at the rack.
The ESA network transports audio to and from the Surface rear panel card options, while ESB
provides a 64 channel digital snake to connect to another MixRack or EtherSound recording device.
The user can map selected signals to and from the 64 channel EtherSound audio network. The DSP
processes 64 input channels, 32 mix outputs and up to 8 internal effects, with full processing
available at all times on all inputs and outputs.
Two CAT5 connecting cables are required between the iDR0 and iLive Surface, one for Ethernet
control, the other for EtherSound audio. One CAT5 cable is all that is needed to connect between
two racks to link the audio between iLive systems.
The iDR0 has an internal, universal voltage mains supply, and allows connection to the Allen & Heath
iPS10 rack mount psu if redundant supply backup is required.
GETTING STARTED…
A single sheet Getting Started guide (publication
AP7284) is available for the iDR0. For your
convenience it is reprinted here. Whilst it does give
you a very quick way to start configuring and using
iLive we do recommend that you read through the rest
of this guide to learn more about the system first.