The DiGiCo D5T worksurface can be extended for larger musicals with the D5-TC Masters Controller or remote controlled from the auditorium by the D5-RC Remote Controller (both measure an ultra compact 757mm W x 867mm D / 29.79in W x 34.14in D); and pre-programmed using the bundled DiGiCo Cue Composer PC software.

The optional D5-TC (Theatre Masters Controller) provides alternative control over the 24 control group masters, outputs and cues, as well as all the normal display modes from the D5T master section on a TFT touchscreen. A row of 16 widely-spaced master faders with scroll function buttons display either the first 16 or the last eight control groups and include a bright, eight-character alphanumeric display above each fader showing master channel names independently of the LCD buttons.

Eight programmable, interactive LCD macro buttons (and access button) allow access to pre-defined user macros in three banks of eight, and there are four Mute-all buttons (inputs, auxes, subs and groups) and five Safe-all buttons (inputs, subs, groups, MIDI and events). Previous/Next Cue buttons beside the faders can be relocated to the left or right hand side of the console. Footswitch sockets on the rear panel allow remote firing of “Next”.

Other features include a built-in permanent script tray to ensure that the controls are not obscured, while the tray conceals a lit internal QWERTY keyboard. The D5 Live’s meterbridge is absent on the D5T, allowing a clear view of the stage. Pre-defined macros allow full size metering to be displayed on the overview screen, Master fader motors are disabled by default to suit theatre operation.

Customisability includes spare modules on the left and right hand sides with a tunnel to the back panel, allowing individually-specified buttons and wiring loom to be installed. Tapped holes on the rear panel allow mounting of a bar to secure peripherals such as small LCD monitors, cuelights and the like.

Facilities are completed by two Littlites and a USB socket in the keyboard compartment for your storage device and possible future additions.

D5-RC REMOTE CONTROL
The D5-RC (Remote Controller) allows the greatest possible space saving in the auditorium for operating a show while maintaining full control of the D5’s facilities, as well as providing a compact and portable worksurface for show programming.

It features an identical 8-fader screen section to the D5T with six fader bank switches allowing blocks of eight input channels or group outputs (if so configured) to be assigned to the worksurface, complete with full functionality. The channels can be assigned in blocks of 8 to control any of the input channels or group outputs. To the right of that is a full-featured master section including the matrix screen.

A single Ethernet connection and mains connection allow the operator’s console to be moved around the theatre during rehearsals and control the main console from almost anywhere.

CUE COMPOSER PROGRAMMING SOFTWARE
DiGiCo’s offline Theatre Cue Composer gives console programmers all the advanced programming facilities that they have come to expect of a dedicated theatre console – and more. It complements the D5T’s own offline editor (see User Interface, pages 8-9) which is designed for setting up console parameters, and is supplied as standard with the D5T.

Using a familiar spreadsheet-style graphical interface, the Cue Composer, which requires a Windowstm PC or Mactm running Windows emulation software, allows complete pre-programming of cues, aliases, sets, and more.

Facilities provided include: cue creation, cuelist renumbering and block moving functions; defining of up to 16 alias “character” names for any input source for the purpose of confining Live-Update within the currently selected alias; defining sets’ membership; “one-click” assignment/unassignment of a predefined aliases or sets to Control Groups, enabling alias-switching and assignment of multiple channels in a fraction of the normal time taken to build control group memberships; auto muting/unmuting of all channels not under control group control; naming of external devices under MIDI control with offset selection according to US or Japanese protocol; entry and display of MIDI programme change data; special data-entry and display window for multiple MIDI control commands; recording and editing of dynamic MIDI sequences in an acquisition window; attachment and display of any pre-recorded *.mid sequence to cues; entry and display of event data and machine control commands; user definable colour, background and text highlighting features per cue; cuelist display showing attached step-times and external triggers; upcoming cues state preview; “one-click” synchronisation between console and Cue Composer software; “Notes” screen