Freelance Engineer Builds Flight-Cased ProTools Systems With MADI Interfaces

Freelance engineer and audio consultant Stuart Gillan has designed and built a portable, flight-cased ProTools system using the latest MADI interfaces from SSL and RME.
Using minimal Digidesign gear i.e. circuit boards and a Sync I/O for easy system control under ProTools, this highly flexible system fits into a 12U rack. Standard configuration is 64 inputs and outputs on MADI (fibre or bnc) or AES3 (db25 or xir) and 64 analogue mic/line inputs using an optional 12U rack with 64 channels of RME preamp. Inputs can be acquired from just about any source e.g. analogue or digital console, stage-box or splitter.
The entire system is 192kHz compatible and has time-code I/O. Maximum track count is 128 tracks at 48kHz, recorded on rackmount Seagate Firewire drives.
An RME ADI-8QS converter in the MADI stream, provides 8 x analogue outputs for monitors or headphone mixes and a Presonus Central Station provides headphone/monitor control as standard.
Following over 25 years as a freelance engineer in live, studio and broadcast audio and a ProTools user/owner for many years, Stuart Gillan began a career in systems design and consultancy. The remnants of a ProTools rig sitting on the shelf prompted this system design to be undertaken. It's proving to be a way of showing some knowledge of current technology and systems integration as well as hopefully earning its keep.
Further information is available at: www.soundscape-audio.co.uk.
(KMcA/JM)