PRODUCT
TESTS
Xilica Solaro QR1 Micro-Format DSP
By Greg Rushton
One of Xilica ’ s newer products is the smallform-factor audio digital signal processor ( DSP ). To my knowledge , this quarterrack open-architecture unit is the first modular DSP of its size . Yes , you read that correctly . The QR1 , which is a bit smaller than a good novel , is fully configurable and boasts 4x4 Dante I / O connectivity . Its chassis hosts eight field-configurable card slots with six cards to choose from :
• XC-SML : two-channel analog audio input with ° individual phantom power per channel
• XC-SLO : two-channel analog audio out
• XC-SDA : two-channel AES / EBU I / O
• XC-SUB : 2x2 USB audio I / O
• XC-SGP : four-channel GPIO card
• XC-S2R : two-channel relay output card I ’ m sure Xilica ’ s targeted price point and compact real estate required removing the OLED display found on the QR1 ’ s bigger brother , the FR1 . Although this unit does not show the IP address for identification purposes , using the Xilica Designer software , the “ Flash Front Panel ” is helpful in verifying that you are connected to the correct unit . It would have been nice to see a pattern similar to the Knight Rider ’ s car KITT , but I ’ ll learn to live without that .
Upon opening the device , you can see it ’ s very efficient on space utilization and does not require a fan for cooling , which is perfect for quiet boardroom scenarios . However , as I was removing and installing cards , I did notice that there is no slot number or indication on the chassis or PCB once the cover is removed . You would therefore need to keep the cover close by to identify order , which is actually done in reverse , with right being 1 and left being 8 . This will prove difficult when trying to determine which card is in which port once installed , especially if the rack is deep , if the device is installed in the top rack , or if there is other equipment above it . Thankfully , the software does take some of the guesswork out of this once connected to the unit .
My last thought regarding the chassis is that there would be an advantage in having a plenum-rated version to open up other mounting location possibilities , but I am not sure if or where that stands on Xilica ’ s roadmap .
The device itself is powered by a standard PSU in addition to PoE . This is a huge advantage against the majority of other DSPs that require standard 120V power , allowing the QR1 to be placed in strategic locations that would otherwise increase the cost of the project , or where power may be limited
Perhaps one of the best features is that the QR1 is designed and engineered in Canada . Rarely do Canadian products come across my desk but it is certainly a pleasure when they do .
My test setup consisted of a QR1 ( with two mic / line input cards , two analog output cards , two GPIO cards ), a 2x2 USB interface card , and a HearClear acoustic echo cancellation ( AEC ) licence . Additionally , Xilica was kind enough to send along an XTouch 80 8-in . touch panel . The local Xilica distributor also provided a wireless microphone receiver , which was connected over Dante . Setup was quick and efficient .
The Xilica Designer software is consistent with what one would expect for an open-architecture DSP . One item of surprise is that the network discovery tool goes right down to identifying the installed cards , which makes starting a new program a breeze if you have the equipment ; otherwise you would need to load in each card to the correct slot . Another relatively cool feature is that programmers can select design templates that load processing in a pre-configured order for various common setups such as conferencing system , masking system , etc . These templates force the user to physically connect the DSP inputs and outputs to the template ’ s signal chain , which is great in my opinion . It ensures the programmer pays attention to the signal flow and offers a level of protection for both equipment and ears .
One minor programming quirk I observed was that if you edit a processing block object property , such as changing the number of rooms on the “ Room Combiner ”, you must close and reopen the block ’ s control GUI to get it to update .
All in all , the power and quality that this compact DSP provides is rather impressive for the price point . Without the AEC licence , it is a competitive and capable product — when the AEC licence is added , the value is in the number of available AEC channels in such a small form factor . This product could prove useful for a multitude of applications such as office paging and music , restaurant music , small to medium conference rooms , museum exhibits , kiosks , etc . One final item to keep in mind is the 4x4 Dante interface , as I know the majority of my own system designs that use Dante would max out or require more I / O .
Gregory Rushton , CTS-D , is the VP at Mulvey & Banani Audio Visual Inc . a subsidiary company of MBII that delivers system design solutions . Greg applies over 14 years of industry expertise to a wide spectrum of project sectors , ranging from cultural and sport venues , education and healthcare facilities , private commercial developments , and tenant fit-ups . Greg graduated with Honours in Audio Engineering from the Ontario Institute of Audio
Recording Technology ( OIART ), joining MBII in 2007 .
24 PROFESSIONAL SOUND