DIGITAL MIXING SYSTEM User Guide For firmware Version V1.
Limited One Year Manufacturer’s Warranty This product is warranted to be free from defects in materials or workmanship for period of one year from the date of purchase by the original owner. To ensure a high level of performance and reliability for which this equipment has been designed and manufactured, read this User Guide before operating. In the event of a failure, notify and return the defective unit to the place of purchase.
IMPORTANT - Read these instructions before starting: Safety instructions Before starting, read the Important Safety Instructions printed on the sheets supplied with the equipment. For your own safety and that of the operator, technical crew and performers, follow all instructions and heed all warnings printed on the sheet and on the equipment panels. System operating firmware The function of the GLD is determined by the firmware (operating software) that runs it.
Packed contents, registration and accessories Safety Sheets GLD Mixer AP3345 – English AP7287 – French AP8513 – Chinese User Guide AP8561 • Read this before starting Mains lead • Check this is correct for your territory Safety Sheets GLD-AR2412 AudioRack AP3345 – English AP7287 – French AP8513 – Chinese CAT5 cable 2m (6.
Table of Contents Read before starting .................................................................................................... 3 Packed contents, registration and accessories ....................................................... 4 GLD systems ................................................................................................................ 6 Introduction ...................................................................................................................
GLD mixer only 8 in (4 mics), 10 out 4 mics at mixer Systems Can use I/O module option for networked audio Standard system 32 in (28 mics), 22 out 24 mics at rack, 4 mics at mixer GLD-80 or GLD-112 x1 GLD-AR2412 x1 Connect to dSNAKE Compact system 16 in (12 mics), 14 out 8 mics at rack, 4 mics at mixer GLD-80 or GLD-112 x1 GLD-AR84 x1 Connect to EXPANDER Expanded system 40 in (36 mics), 26 out 32 mics at racks, 4 mics at mixer GLD-80 or GLD-112 x1 GLD-AR2412 x1 GLD-AR84 x1 Connect to dSNAKE Fully expa
The GLD can interface directly with the Allen & Heath ME Personal Mixing System to allow musicians, performers and presenters to control their own monitor mix without using up GLD mix buses. Visit the Allen & Heath web site to find out more. Daisy chain connection One or more ME-1 personal mixers can connect to any GLD dSNAKE port (dSNAKE, Expander, Monitor).
Introduction GLD is an affordable live sound digital audio mixing system from Allen & Heath. At its low price point and with its intuitive user interface and ‘plug n play’ connection it provides the perfect upgrade for users of analogue mixers such as the Allen & Heath GL Series, and for small to mid-sized venues, tours and rental companies looking for an affordable yet fully featured and configurable professional digital solution that is easy to learn, operate and maintain.
System block diagram The block diagram here shows the audio signal flow and processing through the GLD mixer. The GLD-AR2412 and GLD-AR84 AudioRacks provide inputs as shown in the ‘Remote Inputs’ box, and outputs as shown in the ‘Remote Outputs’ box. These signals connect to the GLD via the dSNAKE or EXPANDER ports. Note the options available for AUX sends, FX sends and global Direct Out. Configuration possibilities are shown for the MIX masters.
Input and output sockets The diagram here shows the interconnection and socket numbering of the fully expanded system. Each socket has a unique number. The physical socket numbers are shown below. Any input socket or source can be patched to any of the 48 channels. Any mix or other GLD signal can be patched to any of the output sockets. The default is one-to-one mapping, ie. Socket 1>CH1, Socket 2>CH2 and so on.
I/O Port fitted with MMO card option Up to 64 GLD inputs and 64 outputs can be assigned to an audio option card fitted to the GLD rear panel I/O Port.
The GLD Family GLD-112 The larger mixer with 28 faders and 14 SoftKeys. 3 Fader Banks each with 4 Layers = 112 strips Shelf for iPad GLD-80 The smaller mixer with 20 faders and 10 SoftKeys. 2 Fader Banks each with 4 Layers = 80 strips The mixers differ only in size, number of faders and SoftKeys. They both provide the same 48 channel, 30 bus, 20 mix output architecture. They have similar rear panel layout with 8 inputs, 10 outputs, dSNAKE and local Expander ports.
GLD Mixer controls Channel Processing Strip Analogue style processing control section presenting the main controls for the Preamp, HPF, Gate, PEQ and Compressor. Press the strip Sel key to access the processing for the input or master assigned to it. Further parameter control is available using the touch screen Processing screen. Routing select key to display the assignments and sends for the Selected strip in the touch screen while in Processing mode.
GLD Mixer rear connectors GLD sockets can be patched using the I/O screen. 4-pin XLR Lamp socket. We recommend the use of the Allen & Heath LEDlamp with built-in dimmer. Cooling fan. Do not block this opening. The LOCK indicator lights when the audio is sync locked dSNAKE link This is the GLD mixer to AR2412 AudioRack link. It carries audio inputs from skt 132 and outputs to skt 1-16. It also carries the audio sends to the AudioRack MONITOR port.
GLD-AR2412 Main AudioRack Input sockets 24 balanced XLR inputs for microphone and line level sources. The preamps are built into the AR2412 rack and their Gain, Pad and 48V phantom power is remote controlled from the GLD mixer via the dSNAKE link. The output of the analogue preamps are converted to digital format and transported via dSNAKE to be processed and mixed at the GLD mixer.
GLD-AR84 Expander AudioRack Input sockets 8 balanced XLR inputs for microphone and line level sources. The preamps are built into the AR84 rack and their Gain, Pad and 48V phantom power is remote controlled from the GLD console via the EXPANDER link. The output of the analogue preamps are converted to digital format and transported via a Cat5 cable to be processed and mixed at the GLD mixer.
Connect and power up Connect the AR2412 AudioRack Plug a CAT5 cable into the dSNAKE port at the rack and mixer. This is the main system link. Connect the AR84 AudioRacks Plug a CAT5 cable into the EXPANDER port of the AR84 and the EXPANDER port of the AR2412 or GLD mixer. Always plug the AR84 into an EXPANDER port. Do not plug it into the dSNAKE port even if you are not using an AR2412 main rack. Plug in the mains power leads supplied with the mixer and racks.
GLD iPad app and wireless router GLD Remote and GLD OneMix iPad apps allow wireless control of mixing and processing using one or more iPads. GLD Remote allows simultaneous control of different functions by more than one engineer, for example one engineer controlling the FOH mix at the GLD surface and another controlling monitors on stage using an iPad. GLD OneMix allows personal monitor control for the musicians. Get the app Download the app from the Apple Store.
Recall a ‘Template Show’ as a starting point The GLD has a fully configurable audio architecture, control layout and socket patching letting you customise the way you work. It would be a daunting task for the new user if we gave them a ‘blank canvas’ to start from scratch. Instead we have provided a set of ‘Template’ Show memories which give you a choice of classic console format to load in as a quick starting point.
Template Show settings There are three Template Shows available as a starting point for classic FOH and monitor mixing applications. Template1 LR Stereo main mix. Use for FOH or mixing monitors from FOH.
Template1 LR This Template configures a traditional architecture and layout with stereo LR main mix for mixing FOH and Monitors from FOH. This is the factory default Show loaded. LR stereo main mix The Front-of-House main mix using a single master fader.
SoftKeys are Scene Safe Fader Bank 1 Direct Out = Post-Delay, Pre-fade, Post-Mute Monitor Out = ME-1 mode PEQ = 20-20kHz, Curve Fill = On Scene Edit Confirmation = On A 1 2 3 4 5 Default = Pan not assigned not assigned Custom Rotary 1 Custom Rotary 2 Channel number 6 7 8 DCA mute 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 PAFL Clear Tap tempo Fader Bank 2 Talkback from Input 44 and assigned to all Aux sends USB Playback assigned to Channel 47/48 USB Recording from LR via stereo Mtx 1 Alt View 9 10 11 12 A 1 2 DCA
A few things to know before starting Before working with the GLD familiarise yourself with its control layout and operating principles. The Touch Screen Tabs to select the pages available for the current screen Name and Colour button Screen graph view for PEQ and dynamics: Screen select keys: Touch a pick-up box and drag the curve. Values are displayed in the parameter buttons. Press a key to select that view. Press the key again to return to Processing view.
The strip LCD display The LCD strip above the faders displays information about the channels assigned to the faders. Channels can each be named and have one of 8 backlight colours applied. You can edit these names and colours to easily identify different channel and mix types, or highlight certain instruments and sources. Stereo Strip type User-defined backlight Colour St User-defined channel Name Touch the top left Name box in the Processing screen to open the Name and Colour edit page.
The Fader Banks The GLD-80 mixer has 2 independent Fader Banks, one with 12 fader strips, the other with 8 fader strips. The GLD-112 has 3 Fader banks with 12, 8 and 8 faders. Each Bank has 4 Layers. This means that the GLD-80 can work with up to 80 fader control strips and the GLD-112 with up to 112 strips. Any strip can be assigned as an Input channel, Mix master, FX send master, FX Return, engineer’s Wedge or IEM master, or DCA master in any combination. Strips can be left blank (unassigned).
Working with the Mix on the fader strips Normal mix mode (FOH) IP 1 IP 2 IP 3 IP 4 Main Mix active IP 5 IP 6 IP 7 IP 8 ON + press Mix Mix Assign Routing hold down Aux1 Mix Channel faders IP 2 ON IP 3 Access Aux, FX, Matrix mix on faders IP 4 IP 5 IP 6 IP 7 IP 8 PRE + press Sel Pre/Post + press Mix Assign Routing hold down Aux1 Aux2 This is the normal mixing mode. The Input strips present the channel faders. The Master strips present the master mix faders.
Working with Scenes GLD has 500 Scene memories. These are 'snapshots' of the live mixing parameters. They store all current mix settings but not the bus configuration and user preferences. Use Scenes to store parameter changes you want to recall instantly, for example cues during a theatre production or sound checked bands during a music show. Use Shows to store and archive the complete GLD setup including its bus configuration, user preferences and all Scene memories. A Scene stores all parameter settings.
User Profiles GLD lets you set up and work with up to 10 'User Profiles' including an Administrator and 9 Users. You can set permissions and a password to restrict operator access to certain functions. The User List. 'Admin' has access to all functions and can set permissions and allocate passwords if required for the other users. Up to 9 guest users may be configured and activated. Icons show if a User is ON (active), has a password set, or has a User Scene set.
USB Recording and Playback Play back stereo audio tracks from a USB key and record any pair of GLD sources on to the key. Audio file list shows the tracks available to play back. Playback controls and information about the currently selected track. Patching information and shortcut to I/O screen. Recording control to start/stop the recording. Opens the screen keypad to apply a name before the recording starts.
How to Update GLD System Firmware Go to the Setup / Utility / Firmware screen to check the current firmware version of running on the GLD. Go to www.allen-heath.com to check the latest version of GLD firmware available for download. We recommend you check the Allen & Heath web site regularly and keep your console updated with the latest firmware. Note 1: Use a USB key with at least 40 MB of free space. Delete any existing GLD Firmware on the key as described below.
Firmware update instructions for Mac: Step1 Download the firmware Visit www.allen-heath.com and download the latest GLD firmware. Save the zipped file to your Desktop or folder of your choice. You may also wish to keep a copy of this zip file as a backup of this version of firmware. Step2 Remove any previous GLD Firmware from your USB key Plug a USB key into your computer.
Specification Inputs Control XLR Mic/Line Inputs Mic/Line Preamp Input Sensitivity Analogue Gain Pad Maximum Input Level Input Impedance Balanced, (All XLR on GLD‐80 and AudioRacks) Fully recallable ‐60 to +15dBu +5 to +60dB, 1dB steps ‐20dB +32dBu >4kΩ (Pad out), >10kΩ (Pad in) Mic/Line Channel noise Mic EIN Unity gain (Pad in) Low gain (5dB, Pad out) Mid gain (30dB, Pad out) 20‐20kHz, Direct Out @ unbalanced out ‐127dB with 150Ω source ‐90dBu ‐93dBu ‐89dBu Mic/Line Channel THD+N Unity gain (Pad in)
Mix Processing 20 Mix Channels Dimensions and Weights Configure as mono/stereo Groups, Aux, Main, Matrix Mains = None, LR, LCR.
Quick Start Mixing Guide www.allen-heath.com For the new user or guest engineer to start mixing with GLD. It assumes a mixer already configured for the show. To learn more about configuration, memories and advanced functions read the on-screen Help Manual and User Guide AP8561. See where Input and Master Faders are by pressing Layer keys A,B,C,D and reading the displays Press Alt View to view channel or socket numbers or fader dB value in place of Name.
GLD User Guide 35 AP8561 iss.
GLD User Guide 36 AP8561 iss.
