Realtime Rack Manual
Chapter 3: System Setup
28
System Connections
Interconnect the Realtime Rack hardware unit, the Realtime Rack software host com-
puter, and the Soundcraft Vi console using the illustrations in this section.
About Realtime Rack system connections
• Connect Realtime Rack to the host computer via Thunderbolt only (do not connect
to the host computer via 1394b ports).
• Although the Thunderbolt ports are numbered, the numbers are inconsequential
and either port can be used.
• If available, the host computer’s built-in Ethernet port can be used to connect to
the Soundcraft Vi console instead of via the Apple Thunderbolt to Gigabit Ethernet
Adapter (Apple part number MD463ZM/A).
• Alternately, the Apple USB Ethernet Adapter (Apple part number MC704ZM/A)
can be used at the computer for the Ethernet connection (instead of the Thunder-
bolt to Gigabit Ethernet Adapter).
• The MADI channels to be processed by Realtime Rack are specified in the Hard-
ware panel of the Settings page within the Realtime Rack software application.
• When synchronizing to external Word Clock, the first unit (MADI channels 1 – 16)
must receive the Word Clock, then pass the clock to the second unit and so on
(via daisy-chaining), for up to four units.
About Vi Console HiQNet (Ethernet) connections
•
Vi 1 consoles – The HiQnet port is
on the rear of the control surface,
adjacent to the rear USB sockets
(as shown at right).
Important:
The HiQnet port on early Vi
1 consoles (serial numbers lower than
30210956) is only able to drive short
cable lengths, max recommended
length 1 metre (3 feet). Therefore use
a network switch positioned close to
the rear of the console to extend the
cable length if required.
•
Vi 2, 4, and 6 consoles – The
HiQnet port is located on the rear
of the Control Surface, adjacent to
the MIDI ports (as shown at right).
The port is capable of driving stan-
dard Ethernet distances of up to
100 meters.
