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Sigma with Bluefin

Live production and on-air broadcast operations demand the highest levels of reliability and suitability for purpose.  Sigma with Bluefin delivers both.

Providing the utmost in reliability, ergonomics and technical specifications, Sigma with Bluefin is based on the highly scaleable Alpha operating platform.

Sigma with Bluefin provides 320 channel processing paths enabling the Sigma to comfortably tackle many larger productions which would previously have required a more powerful console. These can be configured for up to 52 x full 5.1 surround channels.

This channel capacity is further enhanced by an identical buss structure to Calrec’s larger Alpha with Bluefin console, including 20 auxiliaries and 48 tracks. In addition the system provides a significant amount of delay to cope with the increasing synchronization problems, for example, resulting from mixed format HD/SD production. Bluefin signal processing provides 496 mono elements of up to 2.73 seconds of audio delay, which can be inserted at various places in the signal paths.

Typical console layout click here.

Channels / Groups

  • 320 channel processing paths packaged as 108 stereo and 104 mono channels, allowing up to 52 x full 5.1 surround channels
  • 8 x 5.1 surround, stereo or mono audio groups
  • All channels, groups and mains have 4-band EQ, 2-band filters, Compressor/Limiter and Expander/Gate
  • Separate 2-band EQ and 2-band filters for Dynamics side-chain
  • Up to 192 mono equivalent assignable inserts for outboard gear
  • All channels and groups can have a direct output or a mix-minus feed
  • Direct outputs can be pre EQ, pre fader or post fader
  • All surround channels and groups have surround direct outputs, with the option to downmix to stereo
  • Tracks can be fed from pre EQ, pre or post fader
  • Automatic cross fading facility, with user-definable fade out and in times
  • Additional VCA style grouping system
  • Every channel can route to every bus, at the same time, without restrictions

Busses

  • 2 main plus 2 sub-main stereo or 5.1 surround outputs with Compressor/Limiter
  • 20 auxiliary outputs, which can be 20 mono or 10 stereo
  • 48 outputs for multi-track or general purpose feeds
  • Simultaneous LCRS, stereo and mono outputs available from each 5.1 main output
  • Direct input available to groups, mains, aux and mix-minus busses

System

  • Up to 64 channel/group faders, with A & B layers of control, plus 2 dedicated main output faders
  • All faders are motorised and touch sensitive
  • A centrally assigned fader allows control of any fader from the optimum listening position
  • Comprehensive surround panning and monitoring with optional motorised joystick
  • User-definable panels for monitor selection and control
  • Flexible TFT screen-based meters with total user-configurability
  • Input delay from control screen or on control surface
  • Optional I/O expansion via a wide area interface such as MADI or Hydra, Calrec's sophisticated audio networking system
  • On board Flash ROM memory system allows 99 full console snapshot or partial memories
  • PC backup allows an unlimited number of memories
  • Sophisticated GPIO facilities

Resilience

  • Console operates independently of PC
  • Independent DSP operation ensures audio continuity even during PC or control reset
  • Console and racks boot from power on in less than 20 seconds
  • Full control system reset in less than 15 seconds with no loss of audio
  • Last settings fully restored on power-up or reset
  • Automatic change over to hot spares for power supplies, control cards and DSP card
  • All cards and modules are designed to be hot plugged
  • All cards and modules are designed to initialise on insertion