New Software for Spirit's Digital 328

February 11, 2000 -- Spirit By Soundcraft announces the recent availability of a software update for its Digital 328. The new Version 1.5 adds numerous features to the already groundbreaking all-in-one digital mixing console.

Software can be downloaded free of charge from the Spirit web site (www.spirit-by-soundcraft.co.uk) to a Mac or PC, and then via a Spirit cable from the computer to the Digital 328. An Adobe PDF document on the site ("Upgrade Notes") details the complete procedure. Furthermore, all new 328s shipped will include this software as standard.

New features include:

32-channel MIDI Controller Mode: In this mode, the faders can be used to send MIDI Control Change messages to external synths, virtual mixer environments, effect units, compatible DSP plug-ins, lighting controllers, and practically any other device capable of receiving MIDI. You can also see the real-time value of the encoder being operated in the Select Page for true remote operation.

64 MIDI Controller Memory Locations: Now users have 64 separate areas to store pre-programmed MIDI controller set-ups, each with their own user-configurable settings and names. Immediate access to the 64x32 matrix of controllers means that the Digital 328 is capable of controlling over 2000 separate parameters in your environment, whether on the road with your laptop, in the studio, live on stage, or from front-of-house.

64 Dynamics Memory Locations: Store up to 64 dynamics presets and recall them whenever required. They are accessed from a new page when in DYN/FX mode, and can be named for speed and ease of use.

Jump to Last Snapshot: From within the snapshot menu, you can now jump from any snapshot back to the last active snapshot by pressing the "<" and ">" keys simultaneously—moving back to re-program quickly and efficiently.

Faster Boot-up Time: The console now boots up almost twice as fast as the previous version—fully optimized code.

Improved ADAT Data Metering: The ADAT/TDIF metering issues that some users have reported are now resolved.

Note On Transport Controls: Many of today’s leading sequencers can interpret MIDI Note On commands and translate them into remote transport controls for the software. The Digital 328 now features a MIDI Note On selection, which can be configured for these sequencers.

Flip Bank Mode: Now users can control Digital Multitrack Inputs and Mic/Line Inputs on the same fader bank. The new Flip function allows eight channels of each input bank to be active on the currently displayed automated faders.

LCD Contrast and LED Brightness Recallable with User Set-up: Now you have the ability to store a preferred LCD Contrast for the Display and LED Brightness for every LED on the console. These are accessed by pressing the "<>" keys simultaneously when in MENU mode. These values are stored in any of the 26 USER SETUP locations along with all other information regarding the current configuration of the 328.

Real Channel Names in Dynamics Page: The 328 now allows channel naming for instant awareness of the channel being adjusted. These channel names now carried through to the dynamics page to make programming simpler.

Solo Trim: When in MASTERS mode, the 16th fader now operates as a solo trim, adding as much as 10dB to the solo level.

Tape Port Wordlength and Sample Rate: Adjust the resolution of your digital outputs for 24, 20, or 16-bit operation. Configure the digital "flags" on each output to ensure maximum connectivity with external hardware. Now, when a sample resolution lower than 24 bits is selected, the correct dither is automatically applied.

Channel Linking: The facility to link odd/even input channels and tape returns has now been added. This includes linking the AUX SENDS, EQ, Routing configurations and other associated parameters. These are configured via new ‘Chan Link Set-up’ menu page. To Link channels simply hold down the Group/Channel Link button and select the odd or even channel to link and unlink.

True stereo group linking: This is now fully implemented for Groups 1-8. Even/Odd groups can become stereo "linked" pairs. Now when individually linked channels are bussed to the master groups, the stereo channel assignment remains intact. This turns the mixer into a True Stereo Bus mixer, giving increased support for stereo "bus" mixing techniques.

MIDI Control of Lexicon Effects and Dynamics: Have control of all Lexicon effects and dynamics processor parameters from your sequencer.

Blend reverbs, lengthen delays, and "morph" your effects settings—all in real time. The 328 also now sends automation messages for the effects, and these messages can be recorded and played back to dynamically automate processing.

Snapshot Sort by Timecode: Not only can snapshots be recalled by timecode, now they can be sorted and displayed by timecode. Users can now insert a snapshot scene into a pre-programmed arrangement without having to reprogram the entire snapshot memory.

Internal Oscillator: An internal oscillator has been added to allow for the calibration of external devices.

Linked Consoles - Slave Fader and Meter Select: An option has been added to allow the meter and fader-bank selections on linked consoles to operate independently or together from either console.

MIDI Dump In Placement: Place an incoming preset or scene dump into a location that you specify. Don’t worry about erasing that "special" preset when dumping in a new one.

Superclock™ Compatability: Users of Digidesign™ hardware can now feed the console with Superclock™ (256xWordclock).

Improved Lexicon Effects Routing: The first Lexicon processor (FX1) can now be routed into the second (FX2), allowing a serial FX configuration for the ultimate in flexibility and performance.

Dynamics Bypass: Using the "<" and ">" Key combination, users can now toggle the dynamics bypass mode, allowing A/B comparison or "off-line" editing of dynamics.

Digital Two-track Inputs: AES/EBU and S/PDIF input can now be routed to 2Trk Input.

Other Updates:

All FX parameters are now fully operational.
EQ/DC offset problem fixed.
Dynamics "source-channel" is now fully operational.
Improved metering on Tape Returns so that transients are displayed accurately.
The 328 now "time-stamps" snapshots, so that a snapshot that has been saved and reloaded via MIDI will not now recall at the originally intended SMPTE time.
The ‘Next’ key with "sort snapshots by timecode" active now recalls the correctly numbered snapshot.
Wordclock Lost messages no longer "pile-up"—only the most recent wordclock warning message will be displayed.
Wordclock errors that occur at a rate of five losses in a five-second period will reset the console to INTERNAL wordclock. The 328 will continue with this setting until the user changes it.
The SysEx data header has been adjusted to conform to certain sequencer packages.
The NEXT SNAPSHOT command is now in relation to the last recalled snapshot, not the displayed snapshot in the LCD screen.
Recalling factory defaults now resets the UNDO/REDO buffer status.
"Select Page" editing now works in Query mode.
The Dynamics button now functions in Query mode.
Tape machine type now appears as a title when editing Tape machine parameters.
New improved DSP code.
Tape output dithering has been added.
The Even channel of a linked pair is now correctly sent to tape on a Snapshot recall.
The AUX Optical Output (the third ADAT Port) now sends the 2mix on the first two ADAT channels.
NRPN control for linking channels has been implemented.
A MIDI Bulk dump of single scenes is now possible.
0.5dB increments are now possible for Aux sends in the Select page.
A separate list for FX1 and FX2 presets has been added.
Snapshot recall of Dynamics Source has been improved so that the destination track is not automatically set.
Snapshot list is now updated when a snapshot is recalled via MIDI or timecode.
Names are now displayed for the correct DA88 setting of wordclock phase.
The new Factory Default for MIDI recall is "On".
The new Default for MIDI Dynauto mode is "read/write".
The new Default for Chan Copy Pan is "Off".
On linked desks, the slave SPDIF / AES/EBU input can no longer be routed to 2Trk.
Group and Channel Linking functions now operate correctly with linked desks.
Recalling Factory Defaults now restores original names on a slave desk.
Makeup Gain now becomes inactive when the Dynamics are bypassed.
Bank swapping in query mode is now possible.
Console now responds to program change 126 (factory defaults).
SIP (Solo In Place) now correctly lights all relevant mute buttons in all banks.
The Dynamics processor destination track is now longer boosted when the sidechain level goes low.
The dynamics gate no longer boosts the signal when gate depth is 0dB.
STE1/2 & FX1/2 levels can now be displayed with the LCD screen in Select mode.
The LFO that drives the flanger and chorus is now correctly implemented.
The FX parameters have been reorganized into a more logical sequence.
A user setup can now correctly be dumped into a user setup location.
Snap to Time now works correctly after 24-hour SMPTE wraparound.
Linked channels on linked desks now stay linked after power-down / snapshot recall.

For Spirit Digital support in the United States, please contact spiridig@harman.com. The new e-mail address for Spirit support in the UK is spiritsupport@soundcraft.com.

Visit Spirit on the web at www.spiritbysoundcraft.com.