[In 11.2.1] Planning for Live Input

[Mike Daniell]

An enhancement being planned for SCS 11 is support for Live Input cues. There was some discussion on this in the Forum topic SoundMan-Server in SCS 11. I am now planning a phased implementation of live input cue support and would like comments from users interested in this functionality.

Phase 1 would include:

• Defining live inputs in Production Properties / Devices / Live Inputs.
• The ability to set an input gain control on each channel (similar to the new gain control on outputs).
• The option to create groups and subgroups of inputs.
• A Live Input cue and subcue type which when activated will 'turn on' selected input channels and/or input groups or subgroups. Levels can also be set per channel/group/subgroup, with fadein available.
• Level Change cues may operate on any Live Input cue.
• SFR cues may stop (turn off) or fadeout any Live Input cue.

Features to be added in later phases would include (not necessarily in this order):

• EQ control of inputs.
• Delay.
• Support for a selected range of Control Surface equipment.

Comments and further suggestions welcome. If you're interested in using Live Inputs then I'm particularly interested in hearing how you want to use feature - or, basically, why you want the feature!

PS My thanks to Charlie Richmond and Loren Wilton of Richmond Sound Design, and to Carl Underwood, for their valued contributions to the live input requirements and design.

[charlier]

I think you have capsulised what we discussed quite well, Mike! I'm tempted to jump into some of the later phase ideas now but will restrain myself..... Suffice it to say that SoundMan-Server already supports all of the features Mike has described and it's really a matter of having him create the best GUI to present, control and program these features as we move ahead!

Thanks Mike!

[Boswell]

We have reached the limit of our desk (K2/24) but need to expand the inputs,
Our options are
1. buy a bigger desk (expensive)
2. daisy chain a smaller FX8 desk into the K2 (clumsy, takes up room and the additional inputs would not be midi controlled by SCS)
3. use the 10 inputs available on our soundcard (Roland UA101) and control them via SCS11 & a control surface.

Guess which way we will go?

[charlier]

We have reached the limit of our desk (K2/24) but need to expand the inputs,
Our options are
1. buy a bigger desk (expensive)
2. daisy chain a smaller FX8 desk into the K2 (clumsy, takes up room and the additional inputs would not be midi controlled by SCS)
3. use the 10 inputs available on our soundcard (Roland UA101) and control them via SCS11 & a control surface.

Guess which way we will go?

*Like*

[ryanchris2009]

I've just updated my copy of SCS and noticed the Live Input option and that it is not available at the moment. I understand, mostly from reading this thread, that it will be phased into the program in later versions. But I've got a few questions.

1) Will the Live Input cue only be useable through SoundMan-Server or could we use it with any audio device that has inputs?
2) What license level will this be available for?

I'm intrigued by the idea because I do a lot of dance showcases with this program (light and sound design simultaneously), where only one or two mics are necessary. This cue type would be fantastic for me as it would allow me to essentially set my levels for the mic on my non-midi desk, then build the mutes into the cue stack and not have to worry about it quite as much.

[charlier]

1) Will the Live Input cue only be useable through SoundMan-Server or could we use it with any audio device that has inputs?

I can answer this part of the question: Yes, it will require SoundMan-Server but we are working on a pricing schedule that will make the version of SM-S that is bundled with SCS much more affordable than the pricing on our (Richmond Sound Design) web site.

[Mike Daniell]

2) What license level will this be available for?

SCS Professional and higher license levels will accept Live Inputs.

The development of the Live Input interface will commence shortly, when (a) bugs in SCS 11.0.0 have been fixed and released, and (b) we have finalised the SoundMan-Server pricing and distribution arrangements.

Clarification: The number of Live Input channels supported will depend on your license level. The limits have not yet been determined, but will probably be Professional: 4 live inputs; Pro Plus: 16 live inputs. The Platinum license level is likely to be tiered to provide support for increasing numbers of inputs and also outputs.

[Mike Daniell]

If you're interested in live input and would like to take part in a discussion on how this feature is being implemented in SCS, please email me or respond in this thread. Live input will require the use of SoundMan-Server, but as advised elsewhere there will be an attractive SM-S pricing package released for SCS users when live input itself is released.