Optocore has announced a significant upgrade option to its M12 MADI switch, with a new feature known as ‘MADI Mirroring’.
The powerful M12 MADI router originally burst onto the scene back in 2015, with its internal FPGA-based architecture allowing features to be added in the future simply by issuing new firmware.
This has now been undertaken, largely at the request of Optocore customers. “We have received several similar requirements, and suggestions for implementation, and we have responded accordingly,” said Optocore’s Technical Sales Manager, Maciek Janiszewski.
And Optocore director, Tine Helmle added: “We see the primary focus of this product very much in installation, such as theatres,” citing Düsseldorf Schauspiel as a modern theatre with a progressive approach to sound design, adopting a multiple ring approach.
The aim of the new device is to mirror MADI ports, with the input patch from a single MADI port mirrored to another port. With the main and backup MADI streams both capable of being run to the M12 the device will switch the patch between the two input streams so that the audio feed is consistent on the output side, regardless of the input MADI stream used.
Switching between the main and backup MADI can be effected in two different ways—either based on lost signal detection or triggered by GPI (the RS485 port on the M12).
Continued Janiszewski: “This feature will be especially popular with DiGiCo SD7 Quantum users who can simply connect the MADI outputs from the ‘Engine A’ to the main MADI ports of the M12, and the MADI outputs from ‘Engine B’ to the backup MADI ports of M12. The M12 can then be used with other M-series devices or any Optocore output devices to distribute those MADI ports to either recording or broadcast feeds. If one engine is non-functional, the console will send GPO to the M12 which will switch all active MADI streams to the backup ones.
“This will keep recording and live broadcast both redundant and secure.”