Venue Profile or DigiCo SD8-24?

[Mikey]

If you do an i-Live or any other dante capable console you can transport audio throughout the campus via existing network hardware. No expensive proprietary equipment involved. Just purchase licensing and as long as you have a 1GB switch you can move up to 512x512 @ 48kHz.

I know one local sound co. using dante in their rigs. Even makes an M7 sound presentable.

Gets you the best of everything. You get a real control surface and desk, CAT5 snake, transport your audio anywhere you have network access. You can record tracks in most audio software with virtual soundcard.

[Brad Weber]

The Dante Virtual Soundcard is very interesting, up to 64x64@48kHz on a computer via the Ethernet port and standard Ethernet topology and hardware. Around $150 for a software license, however many of the Dante enabled hardware products come with a license. Compare that to $1,500 for an RME MADI card with the same channel count and $2,000 for an RME 8x8 MADI bridge.

Right now the biggest drawback with Dante is probably that there are a limited number of typically more expensive hardware devices employing it. However, I believe that with companies like A&H, Yamaha, Whirlwind, Dolby, Lab Gruppen, Focusrite, EV, Peavey, Symetrix, Lectrosonics, XTA, etc. already being licensees, Dante (and AVB) compliant devices will become more common, driving down the interface and hardware costs to make it a very cost competitive option.

[Alex Stroke]

Dante is a good working solution there is issues with the latency. Whirlwind has been working with us on there products and it also very flexible system to use. LightViper has some real excellent products.

Alex

[turbomitch]

Brad, the copper split wouldn't (easily) allow expandability to multiple locations across the campus. The post preamp issue should end up being a non-issue if we match consoles in the main venue and the video venue. Also, Setting gain structure in our main auditorium would be fine for any multi-tracking either at the console or in our Dub room.

Alex, my concern with a SAC is that our volunteers won't be comfortable without an interface. We have thought about mixing in a SAC and just subbing that into a local console (so they can also easily have local inputs for youth and such). Honestly, I have just never used a SAC personally so I will admit my ignorance as to their ease of use and sound quality. Also, in researching SACs, I haven't found one so far that looks like it has been developed enough to where I would trust it for week in week out use.

We're not "married" to any board just yet. I just know that I like the D-show based consoles and haven't really heard any major cons about them. I will also say that I have not heard any major cons against the DigiCo or A&H iLive systems either. I would just love the ability to pull up a recorded service and be able to use that as training for our volunteers and I know how easily the Avid boards interface with ProTools.

[Alex Stroke]

They ability to train is very important, and pulling up previous recordings make that possible. We enjoy that feature on our SAC systems I have train class on Monday with 6 new people. We also use previous Praise and Worship to set monitors after the Worship team leaves.

As for not seeing a SAC system that looks like it might work. Looks can be decieving, its the core of the build that matters. If I was in your area I would drop off a system for you to try out for a couple weeks or take a look at my web page, pm me for the address if you would like to take a look.

Alex