iLive provides 16 DCA groups. These behave in a similar way to conventional analogue console VCA groups. You may assign as many of these as you choose to the Surface strips. The DCA master fader does not physically move the assigned channel faders. Instead, it adjusts the levels at the channel fader point in the same familiar way as traditional VCA mixing. iLive lets you assign any combination of input channels and mix masters to one or more DCA groups. This lets you create multiple nested DCA grouping for complex mixing applications if required.

ASSIGN channels or mix masters to the DCA group using the DCA master SEL screen, channel ROUTING screens, or the DCA master MIX key ASSIGN function. If a channel is assigned to one or more DCA groups then its ‘DCA’ icon turns on. For normal operation set the DCA master fader to its unity ‘0’ position. At this position the assigned channel levels are not affected. Adjustments are made relative to this position.

The PAFL key sends a mix of all the signals assigned to the DCA group to the headphones/local monitor system – the AFL function lets you listen to the post fader stereo ‘in-place’ contribution of the group of signals to the mix. The MUTE key mutes all assigned channels by remotely operating the channel mutes. All sends from those channels are muted.

Note – The red MUTE indicators on channels muted by the DCA master do not light, but the channel LCD ‘DCA’ icons flash to indicate DCA muting. This separates indication of manual and DCA muting. Fixed format Surfaces include dedicated DCA MUTE LED indicators below each strip LCD window.

Note – If you remove DCA masters from the strips first check that you have unassigned all channels from them or left their master faders at the ‘0’ unity position. This prevents problems with ‘losing’ channel signals if the master faders of the removed DCA groups are down.

Mute Groups

DCA groups can also be set to operate as Mute Groups without the master fader affecting the levels. This is done by forcing its fader to the unity ‘0’ position in the ROUTING screen for the DCA. Assign channels to the group in the usual way. Use the master MUTE key to mute the assigned channels, or assign the MUTE function to a SoftKey – this way you can ‘bury’ the corresponding DCA strip on a layer you do not use very often and then use the SoftKey as your Mute Group master.