DiGiGrid | IOS-XL SoundGrid Audio Interface

Running Various DAWs Simultaneously Using a Single DiGiGrid IOS-XL

Use this configuration for running audio signals from multiple DAWs simultaneously and mixing them in real time.

• DiGiGrid IOS-XL
• Host computer with Native DAW
• Computer 2-4 – Native DAWs
• 1 GB network switch

In this setup, a single Cat 5e or Cat 6 Ethernet cable connects each of the four computers to the DiGiGrid IOS-XL’s Ethernet switch.

Each computer that is part of a SoundGrid network uses the SoundGrid driver to stream audio into the network. In the above configuration, the main host computer running the SoundGrid Studio Application patches between all host computers within the network and configures their ASIO/Core Audio driver inputs and outputs.

DiGiGrid IOS-XL has a built-in SoundGrid DSP server that provides unequaled offload capabilities.

The table below indicates the number of plugins that can be inserted into StudioRacks and loaded to DiGiGrid IOS-XL before the system reaches DSP overload (85%) or fails to play audio fluently (clicks, dropouts, corruption).

The maximum number of plugins that can be tested given system limitations is 512 mono and 256 stereo (64 and 32 StudioRacks, respectively).

Plugin benchmark results may vary slightly from one system setup to another.

While most plugins perform most efficiently at 44.1 kHz, a few perform as or even more efficiently at 96 kHz thanks to their upsampling or to non-sample-rate-dependent algorithms.

* Plugin’s peak DSP usage level is much higher than its average level. Make sure to monitor peak levels on the DSP meter in the eMotion ST mixer.

** Plugin introduces high latency.

Comparison with Avid HDX

The benchmarks below illustrate the processing power of the IOS-XL’s built-in SoundGrid DSP server compared with Avid HDX.

Comparison with UAD Apollo

The benchmarks below illustrate the processing power of DiGiGrid IOS-XL’s built-in SoundGrid DSP server, compared with Universal Audio’s UAD-2 quad core DSP card. UAD benchmarks are taken from UAD’s website. The numbers in the chart refer to mono instances @ 44.1 kHz.

DiGiGrid IOS-XL features 8 mic/line inputs with broadcast/studio-quality preamps; 8 line outputs; 2 headphone outputs; and MIDI I/O, S/PDIF, and AES ins and outs.

IOS-XL also features a built-in network switch. To connect more SoundGrid-compatible components to your system, all you need is a single Cat 5e/Cat 6 Ethernet cable.

General Specifications 

• Internal SoundGrid DSP Server (SoundGrid Extreme V3 Server equivalent)
• 8 channel mic/line ins (XLR/TRS combo)
• 8 channel line outs (TRS or 25-pin D-con)
• 4 SoundGrid RJ45 Ethernet ports
• AES/EBU or S/PDIF I/O (switchable)
• Optional sample rate conversion on AES / SPDIF inputs
• 2 headphone outputs with front panel analog level controls
• 1 AC input
• 1 USB port (for software upgrades/support only.)
• 2U rack-mounted
• Supported sample rates: 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96 kHz (176.4 and 192 kHz will be supported in the future)
• Word clock I/O
• Clock synchronization via Word Clock input, AES/EBU, SPDIF, SoundGrid (Sync over Ethernet)), Internal
• MIDI I/O
• Reset switch

Analog Inputs

• Input Impedance: Mic: 2K5 / Line: 8K0 Ohms
• Gain Range: Mic: 0 dB to +52.5 dB in 7.5-dB steps / Line: -10 dB to +42.5 dB in 7.5-dB steps
• Fine control provides an additional 0dB to 7dB in 0.5-dB steps
• Maximum Input Level: Mic: +26 dBu / Line: +36 dBu
• Mic Equivalent Input Noise: > -126 dB (150 Ohm source, gain +59.5 dB)
• Harmonic Distortion: Typically < 0.01% @ unity gain, -10dB input @ 1 kHz
• Frequency Response: +/-0.5 dB (20 Hz to 20 kHz)
• Channel Separation: Better than 90 dB (40 Hz to 15 kHz)

Analog Outputs

• Maximum Output Level: +22 dBu
• Residual Output Noise: <90 dB (20 Hz to 20 kHz)
• Frequency Response: +/-0.5 dB (20 Hz to 20 kHz)
• Output Impedance: 50 Ohms
• Channel Separation: Better than 90 dB (40 Hz to 15 kHz)
• Harmonic Distortion: Typically < 0.01% @ unity gain, -10dB input @ 1 kHz

Weight and Dimensions