​​​​The Active Breakout Box (ABB) is a key component of the Vi5000 and Vi7000 Local Racks.

It has similar function to the passive breakout box used in earlier Vi4/Vi6 Local Racks, but with one major difference: the ABB handles digital audio signals.

Digital Communication via BLU link

The ABB communicates with the DSP core through a BLU link connection, using the BLU link card installed in the I/O section of the Local Rack.

Physical Connections

The Console-to-Local-Rack cable connects to the ABB on one end and to the back of the Control Surface on the other (Control Data; Phones L/R; TB Link).

Vi5000/Vi7000 Local Racks are equipped with an Active Breakout Box. It is similar to the passive breakout box of the older Vi6 Local racks. The main difference is that this unit works digitally.

The communication to the DSP core takes place via BluLink through the BluLink card that is placed into the I/O section.  

You can connect the Console-To-Local-Rack cable to the ABB on one end, whereas the other end is connected to the back of the Control Surface.

The microphone inputs of the ABB are connected to the mic input card via a DSUB cable.

Input and Output Configuration

The ABB features the following I/O configuration:

• 16× Line Inputs
• 16× Line Outputs
• 16× AES/EBU Inputs
• 16× AES/EBU Outputs
• 3× Mic Inputs
• Monitor Out section

The physical arrangement of these connectors is shown in the image below.