Meyer Sound Laboratories introduced the Galileo 616 loudspeaker management system. The Galileo 616 is a 6 input/16 output, fully-digital matrix processor that collects in a single box all of the facilities required to drive and align sound reinforcement systems employing multiple zones. The device will include digital implementations of popular features developed over years by Meyer Sound for its acclaimed analog processors, including atmospheric compensation.
Housed in a 2U rack-mount package, the Galileo 616 processor can be used as a standalone device operated directly from its front panel, or in conjunction with a laptop or other personal computer via Ethernet. The Ethernet connection presents a broad variety of control possibilities, such as the use of wireless laptop computers and tablets to control the device, enabling the user to walk around a venue while adjusting parameters on one or more Galileo 616 units. Full bidirectional communication insures that the user is always able to instantly view current settings, whether operating the Galileo 616 from the front panel or a laptop computer (Windows or Macintosh).
The device’s six analog inputs are on balanced XLR connectors feeding state-of-the-art A/D converters operating at 24-bit resolution and sample rates up to 96 kHz. Three of the inputs can be switched to operate as standard stereo AES/EBU digital audio inputs, also capable of operating at sample rates up to 96 kHz (using double speed mode). Simultaneous use of analog and digital inputs is supported up to a total of six input channels. Full matrix operation allows any combination of mixing and routing from inputs to outputs.
The 16 outputs offer the same robust line driving capabilities as those of Meyer Sound’s analog line driver products, allowing the Galileo 616 to easily drive Meyer Sound self-powered loudspeakers to full output. Other features provided for optimizing the performance of Meyer Sound loudspeakers include the M Series array compensation functions of the LD-3 and a library of presets for configurations of both line array and point-source array products.
The Galileo 616 is designed to afford a broad upgrade path for future interfacing options. The Galileo 616 will provide direct interfacing to Meyer Sound’s SIM® 3 audio analyzer system, such as the ability for the SIM 3 analyzer to treat the Galileo 616 as a switcher, automatically selecting source signals for the analyzer. Interfacing through popular existing or future digital audio networking schemes will also be possible.
A carefully crafted user interface gives the unit the quick, intuitive operation required for live use. Each input sports a 26 LED ladder meter, plus mute and select buttons/indicators, while each output has a bi-color level LED and mute and select buttons. Three high-resolution encoder knobs are used to make parameter adjustments, which are shown on the 128x64 pixel liquid crystal display.
A monolithic, 1 GHz vector DSP architecture employs a direct DMA audio path to maximize processing power and guarantee fixed low-latency performance, no matter how much processing is applied. High-quality algorithms at 32-bit floating-point resolution are used to implement a large assortment of processing, including up to two seconds of delay, CP-10 parametric and VX-4 program filters (a four-band version of the VX-1), and LD-3 subwoofer crossover and atmospheric compensation filters.
The Galileo 616 also will introduce Low Frequency Beam Steering for widening low-frequency coverage patterns. A library of beam-steering presets will be provided for large-scale M Series products, such as the MILO high-power curvilinear array loudspeaker, M3D line array loudspeaker, M3D-Sub directional subwoofer and 700-HP ultrahigh-power subwoofer. Other steerable subwoofer configurations will be user-selectable and configurable.
Contracting applications are also supported, as well as concert and touring applications, with features like user-programmable lockout, which lets the unit be configured to restrict access to a selected set of parameters or presets.
The Galileo 616 will ship in first quarter of 2005. For further information, visit www.meyersound.com.