CMI AV Selects LUMINEX GigaCore Switches for Yamaha Console Packages

	Event with CMI AV using Luminex GigaCore switches

Live event company CMI AV is pairing LUMINEX GigaCore 14R and GigaCore 12 Gigabit Ethernet switches with Yamaha consoles to support the audio needs of a wide array of corporate events and meetings for clients such as the World Meeting of Families and National Fire Protection Association.

The Rochester, New York-based company has built packages for Yamaha CL and QL consoles that are both interchangeable and perform on a stand-alone basis. "We've been using Luminex GigaCore switches for about two years," says technician and engineer Steve Farmer. "We've continued to buy more as we've added consoles. We install GigaCore switches in every rack we build."

CMI AV was introduced to Luminex when the company began buying Yamaha consoles. "We needed robust switches that could support a number of different groups and configurations," Farmer explains. "Audio systems can be huge with front-of-house and broadcast recording for an audience of 10,000 or they can have a couple of mics and support a room of 150 people. Unmanaged switches would have worked, but we wanted something robust with redundancy and fail over. We asked around and people suggested we look at Luminex."

CMI AV builds GigaCore 14R switches into its Yamaha CL and QL console packages running over fiber networks. Two sets of switches are in the main racks for FOH; they are connected with the board and operator position. Two more sets are in the stage racks back-of-house with the amplifiers. They are connected with two separate lines for redundancy.

"GigaCore allows up to 20 groups on a set of switches, so we can set up different groups on the same switch for the audio engineer, lighting, video, the project manager. Each person can have their own group at their disposal with no interference from other groups." Farmer explains. "The GigaCore switches are scaleable and flexible."

CMI AV uses Luminex GigaCore 12 switches with Yamaha Rio I/O racks feeding remote boxes, such as video playback and recording. "We put a GigaCore 12 on each Rio with at least two main and back up groups," says Farmer. "Each Rio is capable of operating with any console without any reconfiguration. We use Luminex's Inter Switch Link technology and follow groupings consistently throughout our infrastructure. That gives us maximum flexibility."

He notes that the company has been so successful in deploying GigaCore switches for audio systems that CMI AV expects to expand their usage. "They have been working fantastically," says Farmer. "Now, we're looking at them for other applications such as lighting and video control distribution. We hope to expand with GigaCore over time."