U.K.—Theaters, smaller churches, live music venues and the corporate rental sector are just some of the markets DiGiCo says it is targeting with the launch of its new SD8 digital audio console. Using the same Super FPGA technology as the larger SD7, announced last year, the SD8 offers a more compact and affordable package without, according to DiGi- Co, compromising on quality or
DiGiCo’s new SD8 digital audio console processing power.
“A lot of our customers have been asking us to produce a smaller console, but we didn’t want to use cheaper filters, controllers, or mic preamps,” James Gordon, Managing Director of DiGiCo, told SCNAsia. “What we’ve done instead is to take a different approach to manufacturing which has enabled us to price the SD8 very competitively. Not only is it the cheapest console we’ve ever made, it’s also cheaper than any comparable desk from other manufacturers.”
The SD8 is being assembled on a dedicated production line in Scotland, and Gordon commented: “Rather than use extruded aluminium, as we have before, the SD8 has a steel chassis which is easier to manufacture in volume. But the main thing for us is that is still extremely powerful, with up to 60 mono or stereo channels—the equivalent of 120 channels on a DSP console.”
The first SD8s are expected to ship later this month, with Gordon summing up by saying: “The console breaks new ground for us as a company and will require a different approach from our distributors, but both they and we are incredibly excited about the new markets it could take us into.”
