"Software configuration allows you to reconfigure the igloo simply with a new chip, or by downloading a file"
"It took many man years of code writing to get a console we could configure in a few hours"
Crookwood Products: igloo Software
This page details the software involved in an igloo. To find more details on the igloo, check out:
igloo Navigation
- Overview. A thorough overview of the igloo concept.
- Hardware. All about the processing cards and rack framework.
- Controllers. About the user control panels.
- Specifying. How to specify your ideal console.
- Clients. Who's bought igloo's and what did they specify.
Software Overview
The igloo has 3 main bits of software. We write all this software for you, but it's interesting to know how it works:
- Configuration - Software written to configure the operation and physical location of each processing card and controller.
- Description - Software written to describe the nature of the machines connected to the console.
- Operation - Software written to actually control the igloo to map the controller buttons to processing functions.
Configuration
Configuration software determines the physical nature of the igloo. It takes the form of a header file, and describes:
- Physical location - What and where each processing card is in the igloo, so the main system can talk to the cards. Ditto the front panels.
- Wiring links - What inputs the processing cards should respond to, according to how the racks were wired.
- Button operation - How the front panel buttons, legends and LCDs should respond. For example is a button momentary, latching, interlocked, or inactive.
Description
Each machine connected to the igloo is described. In this way we know how to use it properly. Typical details stored are:
- How many channels - Stereo, quad, 5.1 or 8 track.
- Digital, analogue or both - What the IO is, and what type is used for monitoring, transferring, metering etc.
- Where it's connected - Onto what processing cards the gear is connected.
- Type of machine - Replay only, record and replay, outboard, converter etc.
Operation
Once we know where and what everything is, we can start to put it together.
The code we use is a macro language we invented. It's a bit like writing a shopping list, except rather than writing "bacon" and "cheese", you write "mute monitor" and "listen to source x". The order you put the commands in is the order they're actioned when you click that particular button. The igloo software system does everything else needed to makes these commands happen, using the Configuration and Description tables you've previously compiled.
As you can see it's very quick and very flexible, so without writing reams of code we can make you a custom console made that's affordable and flexible.
So what do I do next?
Look around the igloo site. The links at the top of the page will take you around. When you've had a look and think you're ready to move forwards, call us, and we'll speak further. Your life will never be the same again!