Providing more than twice the processing power than Calrec’s Alpha platform and a channel count that sets a new industry benchmark, Apollo introduces a revolutionary control surface that takes the concept of user configurability to new levels.
Apollo utilises Bluefin2, the next generation of Bluefin HDSP, which provides unrivalled resources at multiple sample rates.
At 48kHz Bluefin2 provides Apollo with 1020 channel processing paths, 128 program busses, 96 IFB/Track outputs and 48 auxiliaries. At 96kHz, Apollo provides 510 channel processing paths, 64 program busses, 48 IFB/Track outputs and 24 auxiliaries.
In addition, Apollo has a second dynamics section in each channel, more than 70 minutes of assignable delay and three independent APFL systems for multiple operator use. As with all Calrec designs, these facilities do not share resources and are available to the user at all times. All this processing, including power supplies and all I/O routing, is contained in a space-efficient 8U rack.
The Apollo control surface manages all these channels over 12 layers and on up to 320 physical faders. In addition, the Calrec A/B path selection system is retained for those users who wish to use the desk in a similar manner as Calrec’s Alpha platform products. Layers and the A/B path system can be disabled if not required.
Featuring OLED displays and touch screens to provide hi-resolution feedback of function and status, the Apollo control surface also has light emitting knobs which change colour depending on function for immediate recognition. The surface can be instantly configured into different operational settings to suit the operator.
In assign mode the console mirrors the assign panels used on previous Calrec designs. In channel strip mode the panels are configured to resemble an analog design.
Calrec has also developed Calrec’s Hydra network, using a a largescale I/O router based on Hydra networking technology – Hydra2.
Hydra2 is an audio network that uses high capacity 8192 x 8192 cross-point routers. Each console has a dedicated integral router which enables all I/O to be remote from the console. A variety of I/O units are available to provide Analog, AES, MADI, SDI and Dolby®E formats. All use copper or fibre connectivity, and can be fitted with GPIO cards. Console routers can be connected together to form large networks. Stand-alone routers will also be available.
Like all Calrec consoles, Apollo is also highly resilient. Calrec’s customers operate in mission-critical environments and so resilience is designed in from the ground up. This includes full automatic hot-swap redundancy systems in DSP, control processor, router, power supplies and connections.
