Overview

FOR SOUND DESIGNERS AND SYSTEMS INTEGRATORS

In its Soundhub-S format the TiMax2 control software provides sound designers with an advanced real-time audio showcontrol machine for running live shows, events and attractions. The Soundhub-R version gives systems integrators and contractors a comprehensive set of audio routing, mixing, processing and playback resources with versatile remote control options.

Each SoundHub system incorporates a scaleable multi-channel audio matrix and mix engine to handle multiple sources and multiple zones in a variety of performance and presentation AV installations ranging from museum, themed attraction, boardroom, hotels, bars and clubs through to theatre, opera, cruise ships and house of worship.

The compact 2U TiMax SoundHub chassis provides 16 input and 16 outputs in analogue or AES3 format which is expandable up to 64x64. Optional industry-standard audio networking interfaces include Cobranet, Ethersound, Dante and MADI. The system also provides input and output parametric EQ for source sweetening and room tuning, and built-in random access audio playback up to 64-tracks.

Every matrix crosspoint provides level adjustment for source mixing and zone distribution plus the TiMax speciality of individual crosspoint delay adjustment for creating multiple static or dynamically variable Haas-effect audio localisations.

Accurate audio localisation is vital for directing a group of listeners to a specific performer on stage, a museum exhibit, or a presentation speaker. This helps a system provide intelligibility and message impact on top of uniform sound distribution. When combined with the revolutionary TiMax Tracker system, the TiMax2 Soundhub makes performer’s audio smoothly follow them round the stage with unparalleled accuracy and clarity.

The TimeLine based sound effects and showcontrol environment provides dynamic delay-matrix audio localisation and panning to create authentic and highly immersive surround soundscapes for atmos, spot effects and music.

All this is programmed and configured with an external computer which can then be removed to allow the user local or remote access to presets and other functions under multi-level password security.

Features

• 16 x 16 programmable audio matrix base platform

• Expandable up to 64 x 64 in a single 2U chassis, networkable into much larger systems

• Analogue or AES3 digital I/O plus optional Cobranet, Ethersound, MADI and Dante

• Internal hard disk 16 up to 64-track audio playback server and effects

• Multiband parametric input and output equalisation

• Routing and EQ libraries transferable between Shows

• Delay matrix for static and dynamic audio localisation and panning

• Multi-client PC and Mac software for show programming and control

• SoundHub-R and –S both controllable by TiMax Tracker

• Advanced smooth delay-panning algorithms for ultimate transparency

• Standalone operation for Cue/Preset recall and Zone level control

• Colour LCD screen with simple front panel controls and menus

• 32 assignable input and output level control Groups

• MIDI, SMPTE, GPIO, XML control and triggering

• Wired or wireless networked IP control from multiple computers, AMX, Crestron, iPad

• Flexible input and output AES3 sample-rate gearbox

TASK-BASED PROGRAMMING AND CONTROL SOFTWARE

A PC and Mac compatible software suite allows the systems integrator and sound designer to program all source and zone routing, level and EQ configuations to Presets. S-Version adds a comprehensive TimeLine based audio showcontrol programming and object based panning, with combined snapshot Presets and Cues.

An overall System Preset allows permanent speaker management changes to be stored as they get incremented during rehearsals, such as level trims and EQ settings for individual speaker zones and subs for example. The System Preset is loaded each time the Show is opened, and automatically initialises values for Output level, EQ and delay as well as global parameters such as matrix crossfade times. Other Cue-driven snapshot Presets can still be programmed to alter these Output parameters on a scene by scene basis.

All programming functions appear totally “task-based” to the user, using drag’n drop with minimal keystrokes and no CAD-style block-diagram programming. Familiar control functions such as Group faders, meters, EQ displays and libraries plus Cue Lists can be spread out across multiple screens.

Single or multiple TiMax2 Soundhub units can be accessed simultaneously from any number of PC or Mac clients via a simple zero-config plug ‘n play system. Multiple units can be networked to appear as one large system or as a set of separate sub-systems. Individual user passwords allow View, Operate or Edit access to pre-defined sub-systems ranging from a single channel up to an entire networked system.

• Object-based delay-panning and control

• Multi-channel sound effects editing and management

• Comprehensive host and slave showcontrol resources

• Advanced embedded TiMax Tracker functionality

S-Version allows Cue events to be programmed against individual Cue timelines or an overall Show timeline. To help you during rehearsals, linked Cue and Show cursors advance across the Show’s drag ‘n drop multi-track waveform window to display the timings of Cue events. A set of progress bars on the Cue PlayList mimic this activity to keep you informed during the show.

A Cue can contain single audio events or composites of multiple audio events, with overlapping multichannel playback, looping, panning and level automation. Showcontrol Events are visually displayed on their own timeline bar within each Cue where they can be independently time-slipped relatively other cue events, audio clips and showclocks.

Available Cue Triggers and output Events include mappable MIDI parameters and MIDI timecode plus Go Cue, Stop Cue and internal Show Clock to perform simple or complex Follow-On and Wait commends. All this in addition to the GPIO, XML and Date Time triggers available in the R-Series.

All Trigger and Event activity can occur without a computer attached to the unit, so one or more TiMax SoundHub-S units can function as a truly standalone showcontrol slave or host system. It can even kick the Show off itself at the same time every day, plus have special Shows stored to play just on certain dates or tailored for specific times of day. Showcontrol events such as MIDI Prog, Not, MTC Start/Stop, ShowClock Start/Stop, Go Cue follow-ons etc can be arranged to trigger at any time during the progress of any Cue, and Cues can carry multiples of Events at user-defined intervals. A special Pre-Load event can be used to ensure multitrack music content plays perfectly in sync.

Programming of spatialisation and panning effects uses a unique virtual object called an Image Definition comprising a set of matrix level and delay parameters configured to create a desired localisation. Animated multichannel pans are programmed in two distinct and complimentary fashions: TimeLine panning, by placing Image Definition objects onto a waveform to use it as the timeline for the pan; or PanSpace programming where you drag the mouse to create pan effects more organicall.

Download a TiMax2 SoundHub Brochure from our PDF Store

FRONT PANEL CONTROL

A series of simple front panel screens, soft switches and rotary encoder allow the user to recall various pre-programmed master configurations as a series of Shows.

CONNECTIONS:

Analogue I/O card:
16 in & 16 out line level in groups of 8 balanced signals on female DB25’s (Tascam pinout)
Headroom: +22dBu; Dynamic Range: 114dB; THD+Noise <0.002%, 20-20KHz; Latency <2ms

Digital I/O card:
16 in & 16 out AES3 on separate DB25’s plus 16 analogue outs on two DB25’s. (Tascam pinout).

Sync selectable from AES3 input, or external Word Clock source via BNC, or internal 48KHz or 96KHz clocks. Input and output SRC’s allow multiple sample-rates across different AES inputs and outputs

OPTIONAL Cobranet, Ethersound, Dante, 64 in & 64 out in pairs of 32 on CAT5. Each module 32 channels.

OPTIONAL MADI 64 in & 64 out in pairs of 32 on BNC and Optical. Each module 32 channels

MIDI In/Out two sets

Ethernet for PC/Mac control and XML remotes or showcontrollers. Auto-config plug ‘n play default with static IP and forced IP modes.

POWER SUPPLY:

Inlet on fused IEC connector(s)

130W universal voltage 80-265VAC at 50/60Hz

Conforms to European LVD, UL, CSA, Nemco safety requirements
Filtered to conform to CE requirements