The D Rack is the stage box most DiGiCo systems are built around, and the reason is the input count against the cable count: 32 analogue mic inputs and 16 analogue XLR/AES outputs, connected to the console by a single Cat5e MADI run.
What is on it
Thirty-two analogue mic inputs. Sixteen analogue outputs on XLR, configurable between analogue and AES. A Cat5e MADI port. Two power supplies for redundancy. Operation is plug and play — the console finds it rather than the other way round.
The card in the desk is the part to check
The rack talks MADI over Cat5e, so the console needs the matching card. On our own hires the D Rack goes out with a DiGiCo DMI MADI CAT5 card more often than with anything else, which is worth knowing before the day rather than on it. Put the card on the order with the rack.
Redundancy is a choice, not a given
Two PSUs only help if they are fed from two places. If the show justifies dual supplies, say so and we will make sure the power side is specified to match rather than both cables landing in the same 4-way.
What to tell us
- Which console it is going to, and whether it has a MADI card.
- Input and output counts — sixteen outputs configurable means deciding which are AES.
- The Cat5e run length between stage and FOH.
- Whether you want both power supplies fed independently.
- Any stands, tails and distribution you want prepped with it.
We hold one D Rack, so it is worth asking early if your dates are fixed. We can supply it on its own or as a configured system with the console, the card and the cabling.
