The Lynx Hilo Wish List/ Feature Request Thread

[GPl]

Personally, I'm holding off on a purchase until the features I require are implemented, most of which should come in the next update as mentioned here.

[pmoon]

Hello all - thank you for your patience (or eager anticipation).

Sometime things do take a little longer than we want, but I think you'll find this firmware revision to be worth the wait. And of course it is free to Hilo owners.

We will release all of the details later in the week, but here are a few of the confirmed features.

1. ADAT inputs now operational.

ADAT outputs were turned on in Rev 4, now we have up to 8 ADAT inputs available.

When ADAT ins are plugged into the Optical input, Hilo sense this and adds meters and selections to the appropriate pages automatically.

2. DSD Playback is added.
Uses the latest DoP v1.1 standard. Fully tested with Channel D and Audirvana for Mac and JRiver and Merging Technologies on the PC.

3. Mono selection upgraded
Can select Stereo, Left, Right or Sum (with 3dB reduction) on any input channel.

4. Solo Function
For any input channel.

5. 1kHz Test Tone
On any output channel. Completely new screen.

To name a few.

As to 5.1, this is pretty far down the list. You have a lot of other options for 5.1 playback and with all of the unique things we can do with Hilo, that is where we want to put the effort. Aurora is great for 5.1 or 7.1 and even our LynxTWO-B PCI card handles this quite well.

Full information and availability will be announced on our website later this week.

Thanks,

Phil at Lynx

[jtwrace]

When will some Black Hilo's be in stock?

[matthewdekay]

Hey Phil, about (3. Mono selection upgraded
Can select Stereo, Left, Right or Sum (with 3dB reduction) on any input channel.) does this mean that there is a simple button on the "main" VU meter page to monitor in mono? or do I need to save that in a scene and recall mono monitoring from there?

Cheers

[pmoon]

Originally Posted by jtwrace

When will some Black Hilo's be in stock?

Both Black and Silver units will be available later this month.

Thanks,

Phil at Lynx

[pmoon]

Originally Posted by matthewdekay

Hey Phil, about (3. Mono selection upgraded
Can select Stereo, Left, Right or Sum (with 3dB reduction) on any input channel.)

Yes.

And (to show how flexible Hilo is) the Stereo/Left/Right/Sum choice can be unique for every output channel. So Line in Left can go to USB 1&2, Line IN Right can go to ADAT 1&2 and Line in SUM can go to Line Out. Plus each input channel level to each output can be set uniquely. Not sure why you would want to do this, but you can. Extreme flexibility.

does this mean that there is a simple button on the "main" VU meter page to monitor in mono? or do I need to save that in a scene and recall mono monitoring from there?

There is no master MONO button on the main VU page, however you do have the option of having a Recall Scene button on the main meters pages. If you have Mono set up, that is of course what you will hear in the selected output, monitor and/or phones.

There are so many options and choices that frankly, it is difficult to explain in an easy to understand manner. When it comes to routing, the general answer is Yes. Hilo's 32 x 32 channel converter is not even being used yet to its full potential.

And (always bears repeating) Hilo sounds astounding.

Thanks,

Phil at Lynx

[jtwrace]

Originally Posted by pmoon

Both Black and Silver units will be available later this month.

Thanks,

Phil at Lynx

Thanks. I've been told ~10 days until shipping. Hope this is the case!

[matthewdekay]

Thanks for that Phil. Any idea when we can expect the new firmware?

[pmx]

it's already here: Hilo Version 5 Firmware

[Jezzta667]

Originally Posted by pmoon

3. Mono selection upgraded
Can select Stereo, Left, Right or Sum (with 3dB reduction) on any input channel.

Holy crap, Lynx... I just tried the "upgraded" mono function...
Why the HELL did you only reduce the summed level by 3dB??? It should be 6dB!!! This means that you still have manually reduce the level by a further 3dB to prevent a full scale signal from clipping!

All you've managed to do is take a useless mono function and make it more complicated by adding a nearly useless Left/Right option.

How can people who are supposedly at the forefront of digital audio not even understand this basic concept?

If I were you, I would rush off to get another firmware update written that fixes this incredibly EMBARRASSING issue.

Let me spell it out for you (again)

Make a mono function that is on the FRONT PAGE that affects MONITOR OUT and HEADPHONE OUT which sums and attenuates the signal by SIX DECIBELS. Like I have said before, the Digidesign 002 had this feature and all the Hilo has had so far is TWO useless incarnations of it.

Originally Posted by pmoon

As to 5.1, this is pretty far down the list. You have a lot of other options for 5.1 playback and with all of the unique things we can do with Hilo, that is where we want to put the effort. Aurora is great for 5.1 or 7.1 and even our LynxTWO-B PCI card handles this quite well.

Lynx Hilo A/D D/A Converter from AES 2011 - YouTube

2:18 surround sound is mentioned as a feature. Strange how that was touted in the pre-release videos and now we're being told to buy an Aurora.




Naming scenes is great but what we really need is MORE scenes.

As for everything, else, I can't be bothered repeating... it's all there in the previous pages.

Can't believe we waited so long for this. Another six months to get a mono function that works, no doubt. Oh but by the way, it sounds great...

[rxs0]

Have you considered Decaf?

Just kidding. I have been VERY happy with my Hilo and the upgrade.

I guess we can all start complaining when the next firmware will be released.

Take care,
Rich

[Jezzta667]

Originally Posted by rxs0

Have you considered Decaf?

Just kidding. I have been VERY happy with my Hilo and the upgrade.

I guess we can all start complaining when the next firmware will be released.

Take care,
Rich

For me, this IS the next firmware... seeing as I've owned a Hilo since it was released and have waited long for this firmware release. That's why I'm complaining.

To me, it seems that what they have done is made the summed mono signal drop by 3dB because this would be correct if using two analogue signals coming in the line ins. It does NOT, however, work with any digital signals... most notably, the ones entering the Hilo from a DAW.

The company is called Lynx STUDIO technology. Why don't they think about what a studio might want? To me it seems like they're wasting a lot of time making features for people who would use the Hilo without a DAW.

Again... It's sad that they have built this great converter that is inferior to a 002 in terms of this basic functionality. With my 002, I could be listening to a song (either through a DAW or my operating system) and simply press the mono button to hear it in mono. The I could press it again to bring it back to stereo.

THIS IS WHAT WE WANT! Not fannying around in the mix control panel.

[Tim Davis]

Hi - I'm a senior designer o'er in the UK and had a free half day. I've wanted to start a redesign of the Hilo interface since it was released, as I want to buy the hardware, but not use the software!

This was more a prompt for a possible collab with the Lynx guys, and a start, not the finished ideas. Emailed to Lynx a week ago with no response, so thought I'd put it up here:

[Jezzta667]

Sure has gone quiet around here. Good to see that even on the Lynx Forum my posts about this issue are being ignored.

[McBass]

Bump! Not very satisfied with this update. Might be functional as an AD/DA but as a router/interface...not so good. Come on Lynx, WTF?

[pmx]

It's definitely functioning as a router, but a simple matrixview wouldn't hurt.

[ben37]

Hi.
Is it possible to do basic monitor control with the hilo? Such as running two sets of monitors, switching back and forth, and/or turning a sub on and off? Or would using two sets of monitors like this require one of the dangerous boxes or the like? Thanks.

[nickknack]

If you go on Lynx website go to Hilo section and on the right hand side will find all the PDF dox you need including working with I tunes, monitor management, mastering with inserts etc etc.

Cheers

[nickknack]

Hey there McBass.

Could you please explain your dissatisfaction with the V5 update.

Cheers

[doncaparker]

Originally Posted by ben37

Hi.
Is it possible to do basic monitor control with the hilo? Such as running two sets of monitors, switching back and forth, and/or turning a sub on and off? Or would using two sets of monitors like this require one of the dangerous boxes or the like? Thanks.

There are only three pairs of analog outputs on a Hilo: One TRS pair (controlled by the volume control), one XLR pair (not controlled by the volume control), and the headphone out.

This limitation led me to keep my SPL 2Control for doing what you have described: Controlling two pairs of monitors as well as a sub, all subject to the volume control.

If you had just one set of monitors, the Hilo would be a dandy monitor controller (i.e., it has a volume knob and doesn't screw up the sound). However, it will not do a good job of controlling multiple set of monitors for AB comparison, switching the sub in and out, etc. There just aren't enough analog outs for that.

[ben37]

Originally Posted by doncaparker

There are only three pairs of analog outputs on a Hilo: One TRS pair (controlled by the volume control), one XLR pair (not controlled by the volume control), and the headphone out.

This limitation led me to keep my SPL 2Control for doing what you have described: Controlling two pairs of monitors as well as a sub, all subject to the volume control.

If you had just one set of monitors, the Hilo would be a dandy monitor controller (i.e., it has a volume knob and doesn't screw up the sound). However, it will not do a good job of controlling multiple set of monitors for AB comparison, switching the sub in and out, etc. There just aren't enough analog outs for that.

Yeah, the darn thing is perfect except for the i/o limitations. Are you saying that you use a Hilo with the SPL and that solves the problem? Or are you saying you avoided the buying the Hilo and instead opted for a different converter along with the SPL?

[doncaparker]

Originally Posted by ben37

Yeah, the darn thing is perfect except for the i/o limitations. Are you saying that you use a Hilo with the SPL and that solves the problem? Or are you saying you avoided the buying the Hilo and instead opted for a different converter along with the SPL?

I use a Hilo with an SPL 2Control and that solves the problem. I take the XLR outs of the Hilo, send them to the 2Control, and then onto the monitors. the 2Control can feed two stereo pairs and one mono monitor, and it has a volume control. It also has two headphone amps with a crossfeed feature.

Realistically speaking, the Hilo can only control one stereo pair of monitors and a pair of headphones. The volume control toggles between controlling those two outs; it does not control the XLR outs.

[nickknack]

?Type: Hilo as Monitor Controller
Description: With three separate Analog stereo outputs, Hilo can function as a handy Moni-
tor Controller, to allow easy switching between two or even three sets of speakers. You
can even compare different mixes by sending them out different USB channels from your DAW
and selecting these channels from Hilo’s touch screen.
Inputs: Build your mix in your DAW application and use channels 1&2 Out of the AES16, con- necting to Hilo AES IN.
Outputs: Use the LINE OUT LEFT and RIGHT for your main monitor speakers. Use MONITOR OUT L&R for your secondary monitors. The PHONES OUT on the front panel can be used for head- phones or a third set of monitors.


?Taken from the Hilo pdf docs on Lynx website.


Cheers

[doncaparker]

Well, to me, the whole idea of trying to use the Hilo as a monitor controller for 2 or 3 sets of monitors is impractical. It is certain you can't do it without buying other equipment. The volume knob on the Hilo toggles between the headphone output and the TRS outputs. It doesn't affect the XLR outputs. So, you have to have a separate hardware volume control for the XLR outputs. Moreover, if you use the headphone out as another feed for a pair of monitors, how are you supposed to listen through headphones?

I love my Hilo (I really do), but someone buying it with the expectation that they can control 2 or 3 sets of monitors will be disappointed. Use it for what it excels at (AD/DA conversion, easy interface with the computer, and general signal routing) and buy something else for switching between monitors and controlling volume. Or, just limit yourself to a single pair of monitors and a set of headphones. The Hilo handles monitor controller duties for that limited setup just fine.

[nickknack]

I may just use my Hilo for the 2 buss and buy something else for the multi track. Antelope Orion is looking good.

I am still having some issues with the Hilo. Seems like Lynx have all gone on holidays.

Since v5 I can't get my headphones to work... very weak output.

I have tried restoring defaults and even going back to v4 firmware.

Think this could be a HW problem. I am aware of jack sense however this is different.

Anyone else have dramas with their Hilo.

Cheers

[asaffulks]

I bought the Hilo in hopes of upgrading my Aurora 16. The Hilo is a nice unit especially with the touch screen and could see it work well for some people. But, it does not sound ANY different than the Aurora, which I love the sound of. If anything I like how the Aurora sounds better.

[CoolColJ]

Originally Posted by asaffulks

I bought the Hilo in hopes of upgrading my Aurora 16. The Hilo is a nice unit especially with the touch screen and could see it work well for some people. But, it does not sound ANY different than the Aurora, which I love the sound of. If anything I like how the Aurora sounds better.

Well the main inputs and outputs measure better than the Aurora - more transparent

The monitor outs might not be that much different, they do use the same chips

[Tim Davis]

Originally Posted by asaffulks

It does not sound ANY different than the Aurora

Originally Posted by asaffulks

If anything I like how the Aurora sounds better

facepalm

[ben37]

Originally Posted by doncaparker

There are only three pairs of analog outputs on a Hilo: One TRS pair (controlled by the volume control), one XLR pair (not controlled by the volume control), and the headphone out.

If you had just one set of monitors, the Hilo would be a dandy monitor controller (i.e., it has a volume knob and doesn't screw up the sound). However, it will not do a good job of controlling multiple set of monitors for AB comparison, switching the sub in and out, etc. There just aren't enough analog outs for that.

Thanks for this. So say I want to use only one set of monitors, but said monitors only have an XLR input. Would you 1) Just use the XLR Line Outs and control volume with another unit.. 2) Use the Monitor Outs with TRS>XLR cables and have volume control for the price of slightly lesser sound quality? <- (Is that even true or would the sound quality be the same?)

Also, I noticed that the when you're in the routing page, now the main volume knob DOES control the Line Out volume! So my question is what is the rationale here? Why not allow the main volume knob and meters to be switchable between Monitor Outs and Line Outs? Sorry if I'm being dense and not getting something. Thanks

[nickknack]

Thanks for this. So say I want to use only one set of monitors, but said monitors only have an XLR input. Would you 1) Just use the XLR Line Outs and control volume with another unit.. 2) Use the Monitor Outs with TRS>XLR cables and have volume control for the price of slightly lesser sound quality? <- (Is that even true or would the sound quality be the same?)

Surely with everything balanced xlr or trs it should be good quality.

Monitor outs and line outs are switchable but individually controlled by the big knob.

Someone correct me if I am wrong.

One knob to control anything and everything.

Cheers