Digidesign Announces Dolby-Approved ICON Configurations For Motion Picture Mixing

Jun 04, 2006

Digidesign is pleased to announce that the ICON D-Control? worksurface can now be part of a Dolby-approved studio for mixing theatrical features, commercials and trailers. Designed primarily for expanding international markets, Digidesign will publish a series of diagrams outlining the specific audio interconnections between ICON and Dolby equipment on the Digidesign website. Customers can refer to these documents when designing their studio in association with Dolby requirements.

Currently, there are two Dolby configurations designed to integrate with ICON D-Control systems equipped with a third-party paddle controller: Dolby DMU/CP650SDA and Dolby DS10/DS4E/DSI5/CP650SDA. Diagrams for each of these systems will be posted in the ICON section of the Digidesign website for users to view and download. The audio interconnections between the ICON I/O and Dolby encoding, mastering, and decoding equipment are provided as preliminary configuration information to aid customers seeking to obtain Dolby approval.

"ICON is very quickly becoming a new standard in post production and film mixing with over 1,000 systems installed worldwide," says Digidesign professional market manager Gannon Kashiwa. "Dolby certification in international markets is critical for our customers to achieve in order to fulfill the requirements for theatrical releases. Therefore, we've worked hand-in-hand with Dolby Production Services to detail the setup needed to make D-Control part of a Dolby-approved workflow for mixing films, commercials and trailers, and we're thrilled that these new system diagrams will help our customers obtain Dolby approval for their studios."

In addition to the setup diagrams, Digidesign will provide a Pro Tools® session routing scheme that enables users to record and monitor individual stems and the final multi-channel mix from within a single Pro Tools environment where feasible. While shown with a third-party paddle controller that requires Pro Tools HD 7.2 software (available Q3) and that is also required for Dolby approval, all functionality is available without paddles and can be used with Pro Tools HD software versions available today.

The new setup diagrams and Pro Tools session will be posted to the Digidesign.com website within a week. Customers should note that while the drawings have been reviewed by Dolby and meet their console requirements for mixing features, commercials, and trailers, they do not constitute a guarantee of Dolby approval. In all cases customers should consult Dolby Production Services at +44 1793-842100 (UK), 818-823-2800 (LA) or 212-767-1700 (NY) in the early stages of the design process.

About ICON
The Digidesign ICON integrated console system redefines the state of the art in recording and mixing technology for music and post production. Featuring the large-format D-Control or the medium-format D-Command? worksurface, a Pro Tools|HD® Accel system as its DSP engine, and modular interfaces, ICON combines the familiar feel of a professional mixing console with the power and flexibility of the industry's leading high-definition digital audio workstation.

For more information, visit their web site at www.digidesign.com.