Characteristics

Quality Characteristics

CINETRA meets all standards for analog inputs and outputs as imposed by the Functional Specifications 3/2 and 3/5 published by the German Institut für Rundfunktechnik (IRT). Digital and analog components have been successfully tested by the German Rundfunk Betriebstechnik (RBT), Radiotelevisione Italia (RAI), and the Swiss Radio-Broadcasting Service.

Convenience

Thanks to the low-weight consoles, the highly compact channel processor, and the scalable NEXUS routing system, the CINETRA mixing console system is outstandingly suitable even for use in extremely narrow locations (e.g. O.B. Trucks).

Audio Quality

Digital audio processing with 40-bit floating-point arithmetic, digital 32-bit buses, and the excellent analog components of the NEXUS routing system provide highest sound fidelity for recording and mixing film sound and multichannel TV productions.

Configurability

The modular concept of CINETRA and NEXUS provides for customized configuration of the overall system. If required, the system can be expanded with special options.

Flexibility

Thanks to its freely configurable channel and mix buses and a channel structure that can be altered virtually at any time, CINETRA can be optimally adopted to a variety of applications.

Fibre-Optic Connections

The use of a proprietary Stage Tec data protocol and the deployment of fibre-optic cables for distributing system control and audio, data and word-clock information simplify the installation and make the system less susceptible to electromagnetic interference. Redundant fibre-optic lines increase reliability and safety.

Synchronisation

All NEXUS base devices and CINETRA audio processors in the overall system share the same clock source. The clock signals are distributed in the system via fibre-optic connections, making a separate word-clock network superfluous.
CINETRA and NEXUS support the standard sample rates of 44.1 KHz, and 48 KHz.

The clock generators contained in the controller boards (XCPU, ACPU) operate based on a precisely working quartz crystal and can be used as studio master clock.
At sync-source failure, the system automatically changes over to another clock source, or, if no adequate source is available, to the internal clock. The sync preferences can be controlled via an editable list.

Possible sync sources for the overall system are the word-clock input of any base device or audio processor, any digital input in the system, or the internal clock generator of a base device or channel processor.

System Boot

NEXUS base devices - and therefore the entire routing system - are ready for operation within a few seconds after powering up and recall all settings valid before the system was powered down. This so-called data-maintenance facility functions independently of any connected control computer. System and signal-distribution settings are included in data maintenance, too.
For cases of temporary power failure, the CINETRA system features a data-maintenance function several minutes. The system will recall its most recent status within a few seconds; the configuration computer is required neither for console control nor for signal processing! Some projects are hard-programmed to the console, so working with the desk can be continued after longer breaks even if no configuration computer is connected. This allows for operating CINETRA even if the configuration computer is malfunctioning!
After a normal boot process, the configuration computer will load either the last auto-backup project or the most recently used project from hard disk.

Power Supply

One of the outstanding features about the CINETRA is its low power dissipation (standard console: max. 200 W; audio processor: max. 200 W). Therefore, it is highly suitable for mobile use.

Larger consoles usually feature two redundant power-supply units integrated into the console legs for automatic supply takeover. In case of power failure, if the units are connected to separate mains circuits, mixing-console operation will not be interrupted. Smaller consoles can be equipped with backplane power supplies instead.

If required, NEXUS base devices and CINETRA channel processors can be equipped with redundant power supplies, too.
All control panels in the console and the control computer have separate fuses. Therefore, failure is always limited to single components and will not affect the overall system.

Maintenance & Service

Maintenance of the CINETRA mixing console system is supported in many ways.

Hot Swap

The module boards of the control computer, the audio processor, and the NEXUS base devices can be exchanged during operation. The same applies to the control panels.

Board Replacement

All module boards installed in the 19" standard devices can be replaced quickly and conveniently. The main-console control computer is accessible from the front.

Firmware

The operating-system firmware of NEXUS base devices, CINETRA audio processors, and control-computer boards can be updated with their latest versions from the main-console control computer.

Connectors

The I/O interfaces of the system feature standard connectors. This allows for quickly changing connections from one resource to another.

Failure Notice

The NEXUS routing system can be maintained from the main-console configuration computer. Failure messages and the location of the respective failed boards are displayed on the TFT color screen and the distributed NEXUS control computers.

DSP and Mix Arrangement

The DSP boards always compute the entire audio channels. In case of failure, the respective board is quickly identified and replaced.

Virtual Console

The concept of the virtual console is also valuable in case of failures: Failed components can instantly be bypassed by changing the configuration, for example, the channel-strip assignment.

 
modular control computer of the mixing-console system  

Remote Maintenance

The remote-maintenance system provides maintenance of CINETRA and NEXUS systems remotely performed by Stage Tec. This could be, for instance, for updating the control program or the firmware, for troubleshooting, or project-file transmission. User support by the manufacturer, for example, when configuring customized setups, becomes an extremely fast and economical option when using the remote-maintenance system.
Data exchange is accomplished via standard ISDN or phone lines.
Of course, if security is an issue, the user‘s CINETRA or NEXUS system can be efficiently protected against unauthorized access.