Summary of the content on the page No. 1
iLive Fixed Format Systems
Getting Started Guide
Publication AP7141
This guide is intended to help the new user quickly learn to configure
and operate the fixed format iLive audio mixing system. Fixed format
and modular iLive components are fully compatible with each other
letting you mix and match any combination of MixRack and Surface
according to application and budget.
Summary of the content on the page No. 2
Safety Instructions Before starting, read the Important Safety Instructions printed on the sheet supplied with the equipment. For your own safety and that of the operator, technical crew and performers, follow all instructions and heed all warnings printed on the sheet and on the equipment panels. System operating firmware The feature set of the iLive is determined by the firmware (operating software) that runs it. Firmware is updated regularly as new features are added and improv
Summary of the content on the page No. 3
Table of Contents Introduction ............................................................................................................................................... 5 System components.............................................................................................................................. 6 T Series control layout ......................................................................................................................... 7 R Series control layout
Summary of the content on the page No. 4
Basic system The MixRack (mix engine and most of the I/O) can be positioned on stage, and the Surface (control and local I/O) at the FOH mix position. A single CAT5 cable up to 120m long transports control and local audio between them using the ACE port. Systems Adding more control Plug into a Network port at the MixRack or Surface to add simultaneous control using one or more laptops running iLive Editor software. Use wired or plug in a router for wireless connection. Add t
Summary of the content on the page No. 5
Introduction The fixed format iLive is an evolution of the flagship modular iLive digital live mixing range with all the performance and power of its bigger brother in a compact and affordable, easy to use package. It separates the DSP mix engine from the control surface allowing the rack to be positioned on stage and the surface at the FOH (front of house) mix position, linked by a single long distance CAT5 cable carrying control and local FOH audio between them. The fixed format iLive S
Summary of the content on the page No. 6
System components The MixRack is the heart of the digital audio processing system, housing the 64x32 DSP mix engine together with control and audio networking interfaces. The 64x32 architecture can be configured for mono/stereo and type of mix (group, aux, mains, matrix). The system provides full dynamics, EQ and delay processing for all inputs and masters, 8 built-in ‘RackExtra’ effects and 16 DCA groups. The FX returns add to the 64 input channels to allow up to 72 sources to the
Summary of the content on the page No. 7
T Series Control layout Channel Processing Strip Analogue style control TouchScreen For status display, section with dedicated rotary controls, switches and system setup and memory management. meters for the channel or mix preamp, HPF, gate, PEQ, To see an alternative graphical view of compressor and limiter/de-esser. Press the strip SEL the processing for the channel or master key to access the processing of the channel or master currently selected make sure none of the assigned t
Summary of the content on the page No. 8
R Series Control layout TouchScreen keys When these keys are off the Soft Keys 8 user assignable keys screen displays system status. When these keys are off and a strip SEL is active the screen presents the associated channel processing. Use these keys to Channel Processing Select Press this access system setup and memory management. key to access the processing for the These override the channel processing view. selected channel using the TouchScreen. Controls for the prea
Summary of the content on the page No. 9
Step 1 – Connect and power up The Control Surface Connect Surface to MixRack Network settings Plug a CAT5 cable up to 120m * (400 feet) iLive communicates over a TCP/IP network. between the Surface and MixRack ACE ports. There are 3 main components – the MixRack, Surface and TouchScreen (built into the surface). An 80m drum of suitable cable is available from These and any other network devices such as a Allen & Heath (part number AH7000). wireless router and
Summary of the content on the page No. 10
Switch power on Switch on the MixRack and Surface by pressing their rear panel power ON switches. If you need to switch them on one at a time then switch on the MixRack first. The system remembers the settings on power down. These are restored next time you switch the system on. Secure the mains cable in Boot up time the clip provided here. MixRack It takes around 15 seconds for the DSP to start passing audio with the same settings current at last power dow
Summary of the content on the page No. 11
Step 2 – Load a ‘Template Show’ as a starting point The iLive has a fully configurable audio architecture and control layout and socket patching letting you customise the way you work. It would be a daunting task for the new user if we gave them a ‘blank canvas’ to start from scratch. Instead we have provided a set of ‘Template’ Show memories which give you a choice of classic console format to load in as a quick starting point. These emulate the familiar architecture and logical layout
Summary of the content on the page No. 12
Step 3 – A few things to know before starting Before working with the iLive familiarise yourself with its control layout and operating principles. Two important keys SEL SEL - Select the channel processing. View and adjust the parameters for that channel. Within the processing section PAFL use these keys to open individual processing blocks on the screen, or press and hold to send the signal at that point to MUTE the PAFL system. These keys are also used when copying or resetting pr
Summary of the content on the page No. 13
Set your operating preferences PAFL – Choose: Additive or auto cancel mode when you press more than one PAFL key. Options for the MIX and SEL keys to follow PAFL key presses. For example, pressing a single key can route the signal to the PAFL monitor, open its channel processing and present its mix and assignments on the strips. PFL level trim balance relative levels between PFL and AFL. Main mix to PAFL monitor level. Set to ‘-inf’ (off) to silence the monitor when no PAFL is se
Summary of the content on the page No. 14
Step 4 – Name and colour channels Having chosen a Template show as your starting point, and set your operating preferences, you may wish to prepare for your show by naming your inputs, mixes and DCAs, and applying colour to help identify them by type or to highlight important channels. You can name channels with up to 5 characters entered from an on-screen touch keyboard. You can colour each or ranges of channels with one of 6 colours or no colour. This colour is displayed as the backligh
Summary of the content on the page No. 15
Step 5 – Work with the channel processing Channel Processing Block SEL PAFL MUTE MI MIX X * Processing SEL keys Due to its compact size, the smaller iLive surfaces do not Access the Preamp, EQ and dynamics provide all the physical controls. Press a strip SEL key. Press the key again to turn it off or Access these parameters using press another to access a different channel. the TouchScreen. * You can press and hold any SEL key in the Processing Block to tempora
Summary of the content on the page No. 16
Step 6 – Work with the mix SEL Press a strip MIX key. PAFL The current mix status is displayed in the lower part of the strip LCDs. Mix sends are presented MUTE on faders or encoders. The name of the current mix selected is displayed in the lower status bar MI MIX X of the screen. Note – Make sure you are working with the correct mix. After making your adjustments remember to turn off the MIX key or return to your main mix. Turning off the MIX key automatically retu
Summary of the content on the page No. 17
Channel MIX view - Sends to all masters from one channel STEREO AUX MASTERS CHANNEL IEM1 PAN STEREO STEREO LR LEV IP AUX AUX AUX AUX AUX CH 1 PRE WDG1 WDG2 IEM1 IEM2 FADER PAN PAN PAN LR LRLR Current mix status CH PRE PRE PRE PRE FADER 5 ON = channel is ROTARY SHIFT assigned PRE = Channel send is set pre- P PR RE E/ /PO POST ST F FA AD DE E SEL SEL SEL SEL SEL fader. 3 ASS ASSI IG GN N MIX MIX MIX MIX MIX MIX MIX MIX MI MIX X 2 1 Mix sends (Aux, FX, Matrix) may be 4 configu
Summary of the content on the page No. 18
Work with the FX iLive works with FX in a similar way to analogue consoles, using a send and return path, for example reverb or delay Spatial Modelling Reverberator effect. You can also configure inserted effects such as a flanger or reverb on a single channel. Gated Reverb Inserted FX Patch the FX unit into a channel or mix 2 Tap Delay ON master signal path. Automatic Double Tracker Dry Wet Chorus IN OUT FX Insert Flanger Channel Signal Path Symphonic Chorus FADER MIX P
Summary of the content on the page No. 19
Using DCA groups A DCA is the digital equivalent of the analogue console VCA group. iLive features 16 DCA groups. To assign channels to a DCA group, select the DCA master MIX key. Hold down ASSIGN and press channel MIX keys to toggle ON or off. Alternatively open the DCA master ROUTING screen using its SEL key. Note - Make sure you turn off the DCA master MIX key or select your usual MIX after you have finished assigning the groups. Pressing a DCA master PAFL key mixes all assi
Summary of the content on the page No. 20
Channel Ganging Ganging lets you link selected processing and mix parameters between input channels or masters, for example SEL the EQ, gate and compressor of a stereo keyboard, or the GEQ of the L and R main mix. Ganging does not include the PAFL input Preamp (gain). MUTE To enter Ganging Setup mode and view and assign ganged MI MIX X input or mix master channel parameters, select the TouchScreen MIXRACK / Ganging page. Ganged channels must be compatible input or mix types. Up to
